2019 test2 productsEngine Oil & Fluids
Which Motor Oil Brand Wins?
We compared 2 motor oil options head to head. Quaker State 10W-40 (modern) came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Winner
Quaker State 10W-40 (modern)
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Runner-up
Quaker State vintage (1950s/60s)
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | API rating | Evaporative loss (410F for 2 hours) | Lubricity/film strength test | Cold oil flow test (after 24 hours at minus 40F) | Oil analysis, moly | Oil analysis, phosphorus | Oil analysis, zinc | Oil analysis, TBN | Packaging | Small engine run (16 oz added to a small engine) | Oil analysis, calcium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Quaker State 10W-40 conventional motor oil (modern) | has the API donut, API service SN, meets or exceeds API SN and previous API categories | started at 430 g, ended at 423.37 g, a loss of 6.63 g | won the showdown against the vintage oil | new Quaker State was first across the finish line, 2 inches ahead of the cooked Quaker State sample | 116 parts per million | 475 parts per million | 581 parts per million | 6.2, described as pretty average | not tested | not tested | not tested |
| 2Quaker State vintage oil, approximately 60 to 70 years old (1950s can) | not tested | started at 404.56 g, ended at 395.13 g, a loss of 9.43 g, described as a lot of evaporative loss | lost to the modern oil but did not do too badly | very sluggish and the last to move meaningfully; described as not liking the cold temperature at all | 0 parts per million (none detected) | 475 parts per million | 509 parts per million | 0.4, described as extremely low | no viscosity grade rating and no API donut on the can | slight drop in compression; teardown showed crusty buildup on the cylinder head and around the intake and exhaust valves, plus vapor from the positive crankcase ventilation | only 6 parts per million |
How it was tested
- NOACK-style evaporative loss test at 410F for 2 hours
- lubricity/film strength wear-scar test
- small engine run with compression check and cylinder head teardown
- cold oil flow race after 24 hours at minus 40F, cooked and uncooked samples of both oils
- independent oil lab analysis (moly, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, boron, TBN)
“Actually, modern motor oil did win the showdown as far as the lubricity test, but the vintage didn't do too bad.”