This list of motor oils is ranked based off the PSI strength of the motor oil. All of the testing to determine this list is done by an independent individual that has no ties, no interest, and nothing to gain from publishing such a list. They are just a gear head that loves to test various motor oils and publish the data to provide anyone else with the information.
What we choose to list here is far from the true complete list. We’re just going to look at the top 20. If you want to take a look at all 254 (and counting) types of oil they have tested, then feel free to visit their website. Beware, everything is listed on the main page and it can be a bit of information overload if your just looking for some good recommendations for oils. That is what we hope to provide with our short, summarized list here at Best Synthetic Oil & Filter. In addition, to keep it simple, here are a few specifications we’re going to follow for the top 20 list.
- We will just list straight oils with no additional additives added. Some of the test results provided are oils with additional additives added to what the manufacturer has done.
- We will omit any oils that have been replaced with newer versions. If an oil is no longer manufactured and easily available there is no point having it take up a spot on our list.
- We will omit any oils that are not street approved. (Some oils are targeted towards racing and motorsports specifically.)
As mentioned previously, this list ranks the oils based of their PSI strength. The higher the PSI strength the better the oil is at preventing wear. Oils within 10% of each other can be considered approximately equivalent. All of these oils are tested at 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Multiple tests are conducted. Finally, all oil bottles were shaken before samples were taken. This helps to ensure additives are properly mixed in with the oil and not settled at the bottom of the container.
Best Motor Oils Ranking Chart
To give you an idea of the test results that can be expected here is the ranking chart that is used.
Over 150,000 psi = SPECTACULAR wear protection
135,000 psi to 150,000 psi = AMAZING wear protection
120,000 psi to 135,000 psi = FANTASTIC wear protection
105,000 to 120,000 psi = INCREDIBLE wear protection
90,000 to 105,000 psi = OUTSTANDING wear protection
75,000 to 90,000 psi = GOOD wear protection
60,000 to 75,000 psi = MODERATE wear protection
50,000 to 60,000 psi = UNDESIRABLE LOW wear protection
Below 50,000 psi = CAUTION – EXTREMELY LOW wear protection
Best Motor Oils – Top 20
#1 5W30 Quaker State Full Synthetic – 152,674 psi
#2 5W30 Amsoil Signature Series 100% Synthetic – 141,851 psi
#3 5W30 Tribodyn Synthetic – 135,434 psi
#4 0W30 Ravenol VSW, USVO (Ultra Strong Viscosity Oil), Synthetic – 135,395 psi
#5 0W20 Amsoil Signature Series, Synthetic – 134,840 psi
#6 10W30 Mercury 4-Stroke Marine Engine Oil, Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible – 134,669 psi
#7 10W30 Amsoil Marine Engine Oil, Synthetic, NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible, API SM – 133,756 psi
#8 5W30 Renewable Lubricants- Super High Performance Passenger Vehicle – Bio-SynXtra – 130,436 psi
#9 10W30 Quicksilver 4-Stroke Marine Engine Oil, Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible – 129,260 psi
#10 5W30 Valvoline Full Synthetic Extended Protection, GM dexos1-Gen2, ILSAC GF-6A, API SP – 127,227 psi
#11 0W40 Mobil 1 “FS” European Car Formula, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4, API SN, Synthetic – 127,221 psi
#12 5W30 Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic, GM dexos1-Gen2, ILSAC GF-6A, API SP, Made from natural gas, not crude oil – 125,755 psi
#13 5W30 Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic, GM dexos1-Gen2, ILSAC GF-6A, API SP – 125,279 psi
#14 5W30 Renewable Lubricants, HD Super High Performance, Bio-SynXtra – 125,250 psi
#15 5W30 Quaker State High Mileage Full Synthetic, ILSAC GF-6A, API SP – 125,083 psi
#16 0W20 Quaker State Ultimate Durability, API SN, Synthetic (originally gold, now green bottle) – 124,393 psi
#17 5W30 Valvoline Full Synthetic High Mileage with MaxLife Technology, API SN, GM dexos 1 approved (silver bottle) – 123,470 psi
#18 5W30 Pentosin Pento Super Performance III, For gas and diesel engines, API S”M”, ACEA C3, Synthetic – 122,711 psi
#19 5W20 Quaker State Ultimate Durability, API SN, GM dexos 1 approved, Synthetic (originally gold, now green bottle) – 121,396 psi
#20 5W30 MPT THIRTY-K Synthetic – 120,562 psi
In Conclusion
There you have the top 20 best motor oils as of October 2021. We’ll keep an eye on the huge master list and update ours as changes occur. Again, if you want to see the complete list that this gentleman has put together, visit his website. Be sure to get yourself a fresh cup of coffee cause your going to be reading for a while. Above all, we guarantee you will learn something about motor oil!
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