SURFACE J304

REV.
MAR2007
VEHICLE Issued 1942-01
INFORMATION Revised 2007-03

REPORT
Superseding J304 JUN1999

(R) Engine Oil Tests

RATIONALE

The changes to this document include extensive updating to the latest ASTM test methods and numerous editorial
corrections.

1. SCOPE

The purpose of this SAE Information Report is to describe test conditions and performance evaluation factors for both
diesel and gasoline engine tests. Specifically, the tests described in this document are used to measure the engine
performance requirements for engine oils described by the API Service Categories described in API Publication 1509,
ASTM D 4485, SAE J183 and SAE J1423 standards, U.S. military specifications, and ILSAC GF Standards.

2. REFERENCES

2.1 Applicable Publications

The following publications form a part of the specification to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated the
latest revision of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE Publications

Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and
Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

2.1.1.1 SAE J183 Engine Oil Performance and Engine Service Classification (other than “Energy Conserving”)

2.1.1.2 SAE J1423 Passenger Car and Light Duty Truck Energy-Conserving Engine Oil Classification

2.1.1.3 SAE J1899 Lubricating Oil, Aircraft Piston Engine (Ashless Dispersant)

2.1.1.4 SAE J1966 Lubricating Oils, Aircraft Piston Engine (Non-Dispersant Mineral Oil)

2.1.1.5 SAE J2362 Lubricating Oil, Automotive Engine, API Service SM for Military Administrative Service

2.1.1.6 SAE J2363 Lubricating Oil for Wheeled Military Vehicles with Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is
entirely voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
Copyright © 2007 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: 724-776-4970 (outside USA)
Fax: 724-776-0790
Email: CustomerService@sae.org
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -2-

2.1.2 ASTM Publications

Available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, Tel: 610-832-9585, www.astm.org.

2.1.2.1 ASTM D 4485 Standard Specification for Performance of Engine Oils

2.1.2.2 ASTM Special Technical Publication 315I, Part I—Multicylinder Test Sequences for Evaluating Automotive
Engine Oils

2.1.2.3 Research reports containing the Cummins ISB and ISM, Mack T-12, and Caterpillar C13 procedures are
available from ASTM. None of these procedures have been published as an ASTM Standard Test Method.

2.1.2.4 ASTM D 5290 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Oil Consumption, Piston Deposits, and Wear in a
Heavy-Duty High-Speed Diesel Engine—NTC-400 Procedure

2.1.2.5 ASTM D 6709 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the CRC L-38
Spark-Ignition Engine—Sequence VIII

2.1.2.6 ASTM D 6593 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils for Inhibition of Deposit
Formation in a Spark-Ignition Internal Combustion Engine Fueled with Gasoline and
Operated Under Low-Temperature, Light-Duty Conditions—Sequence VG Procedure

2.1.2.7 ASTM D 6984 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IIIF,
Spark-Ignition Engine

2.1.2.8 ASTM D 5862 Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in the Two-Stroke Cycle Turbo-Supercharged
6V-92TA

2.1.2.9 ASTM D 5966 Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils for Roller Follower Wear in Light-Duty Diesel
Engine

2.1.2.10 ASTM D 5967 Test Method for Evaluation of Diesel Engine Oils in the T-8 Diesel Engine

2.1.2.11 ASTM D 6837 Standard Test Method for Measurement of the Effects of Automotive Engine Oils on the Fuel
Economy of Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks in the Sequence VIB Spark Ignition
Engine

2.1.2.12 ASTM D 7320 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IIIG,
Spark-Ignition Engine

2.1.2.13 ASTM D 6891 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IVA
Spark-Ignition Engine

2.1.2.14 ASTM D 6894 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Aeration Resistance of Engine Oils in Direct-Injected
Turbrocharged Automotive Diesel Engine

2.1.2.15 ASTM D 6923 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in a High Speed, Single-Cylinder Diesel
Engine—Caterpillar 1R Test Procedure

2.1.2.16 ASTM D 6681 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in a High Speed, Single-Cylinder Diesel
Engine—Caterpillar 1P Test Procedure

2.1.2.17 ASTM D 6618 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in Diesel Four-Stroke Cycle
Supercharged 1M-PC Single Cylinder Oil Test Engine
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -3-

2.1.2.18 ASTM D 6750 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in a High-Speed, Single-Cylinder Diesel
Engine—1K Procedure (0.4% Fuel Sulfur) and 1N Procedure (0.04% Fuel Sulfur)

2.1.2.19 ASTM D 6975 Standard Test Method for Cummins M11 EGR Test

2.1.3 API Publication

Available from American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4070, Tel: 202-682-8000,
www.api.org.

API 1509 Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System

2.1.4 International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) Standards

Available from Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 1401 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005, Tel:
202-326-5500, www.autoalliance.org.

2.2 Related Publications

2.2.1 Military Specifications and Commercial Item Descriptions

Available from DODSSP, Subscripton Services Desk, Building 4D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.

MIL-PRF-2104H Lubricating Oil—Internal Combustion Engine—Tactical Service

MIL-PRF-21260E Lubricating Oil—Internal Combustion Engine—Preservative and Break-in

MIL-PRF-46167D Lubricating Oil—Internal Combustion Engine—Arctic Service

3. TEST APPLICABILITY

Engine tests have been used for many years to determine performance characteristics of engine oils, and the
development of new engine tests is an ongoing process. The included API service categories based on current tests are
the SH, SJ, SL, SM, CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, CJ-4 and Energy Conserving categories. The current U.S.
military specifications included are the MIL-PRF-2104H, MIL-PRF-21260E, and MIL-PRF-46167D specifications. The
included current ILSAC Standard is GF-4.

4. DIESEL ENGINE TESTS

Many tests for piston ring sticking, piston ring and cylinder wear, valve train wear, oil consumption, oil thickening, and
general deposit accumulation have been developed using single-cylinder and multi-cylinder compression ignition (diesel)
engines. Current single-cylinder tests in use include the Caterpillar 1K, 1M-PC, 1N, 1P, and 1R. Current multi-cylinder
tests include the Caterpillar C13, Cummins M-11 EGR, ISM, and ISB, Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA, Mack T-8, T-11, and T-12
General Motors RFWT (Roller Follower Wear Test) and the International Truck EOAT. (See Tables 1A, 1B, and 2.)
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -4-

TABLE 1A - DIESEL ENGINE TEST CONDITIONS

Engine Engine Test Test Engine Fuel Fuel Load Load
Displacement Displacement Duration, h Duration, h Speed, Rate, Rate, bmep, bmep,
cm3 in3 total each phase rpm kg/hr lbs/hr kPa psi

6V-92TA 9 046 552 100 8.0 1200 52.2 115.1 2062 299
8.0 2300 89.8 198.0 1076 156
T-8 12 000 728 300(1) 1800 63.3 139.5 1459 212
T-10 11 931 728 300 75 1800 59.2 130.5 1475 214
225 1200 63.5 140.0 2713 394
T-11 11 931 728 252 1800 53.5 118.0 1421 206
T-12 11 931 728 300 100 1800 59.2 130.5 1475 214
200 1200 63.5 140.0 2713 394
M-11 EGR 10 824 660 200 50 1800 58.1 128.0 1575 228
50 1600 64.4 144.0 1916 278
ISM 10 824 660 200 50 1800 58.0 128.0 x x
50 1600 64.4 144.0 x x
ISB 5900 360 350 100 1600 20.0 44.0 x x
250 800-2600 varies varies varies varies
1K 2400 149 252 2100 11.1 24.48 1240 180
1M-PC 2200 134 120 1800 102.8 17.92 972 141
1N 2400 149 252 2100 11.1 24.48 1 240 180
1P 2400 146 360 1800 11.1 24.48 1496 217
1R 2400 146 504 1800 14.4 31.75 1851 268.5
C13 12 800 781 500 1800 72 158.7 1750 253.9
RFWT 6500 397 50 1000 106.1 6033 620 90
EOAT 7300 444 20 3000 41 90 855 124
1. The test duration for category CG-4 is 250 h, and 300 h for CH-4 and CI-4.
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -5-

TABLE 1B - DIESEL ENGINE TEST CONDITIONS

Air-to- Air-to-
Air-to- Air-to- Engine Engine Water Water Oil-to- Oil-to-
Engine Engine Pressure Pressure Outlet Outlet Bearing Bearing Fuel
Temperature Temperature Abs., Abs., Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature Sulfur,
°C °F kPa inch Hg °C °F °C °F % mass

6V-92TA 35 95 N/S N/S 84 172-190 102 216 0.1-0.4

35 95 97 29 84 172-190 111 232 0.1-0.4
T-8 43 109 186-199 55-59 85 185 100-107 212-225 0.03-0.05
T-10 77 158 160 47.4 66 150 88 190 0.03-0.05
66 150 210 62.2 85 185 113 235
T-11 70 158 160 47.4 66 150 88 190 0.03-0.05
T-12 90 194 271 78.5 66 150 88 190 0.0008-.0012
80 175 310 90.0 108 226 116 240
M-11 EGR 46 115 280 83 88 190 115 239 0.03-0.05
46 115 265 78 88 190 115 239 0.03-0.05
ISM 80 176 ≥300 65.5 150 115 239 0.03-0.05
65.5 150 ≥320 65.5 150 115 239 0.03-0.05
ISB 68 154 Varies 99 210 110 230 .0008-.0012
68 154 Varies 99 210 110 230 .0008-.0012
1K 127 260 240 71 93 199.4 107 224.6 0.38-0.42
1M-PC 124 255 179 53 87.8 190 96 205 0.38-0.42
1N 127 260 240 71 93 200 107 225 0.03-0.05
1P 60 140 272 81 90 194 130 266 0.03-0.05
C13 40 104 380 112.2 88 190.4 98 208.4 0.0008-0.0012
RFWT 32 90 97 29 120 248 120 248 0.03-0.05
EOAT 29 84 220 65 100 212 121 max. 250 max. 0.03-0.05
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -6-

TABLE 2 - DIESEL ENGINE TEST REFERENCES, PERFORMANCE

EVALUATION FACTORS, AND APPLICATIONS
Evaluation
Procedure Reference Evaluation Evaluation Oil Evaluation Test Application
Test See Section 2.1.2 Deposits Wear Consumption Other (See 2.1.1 and 2.1.2.1)

6V-92TA ASTM D 5862 X X API CF-2, MIL-PRF-2104H,

MIL-PRF-46167D
T-8 ASTM D 5967 X Oil Thickening, API CG-4, CH-4, CI-4,
Filter Plugging MIL-PRF-2104H
T-10 ASTM D6987 X X API CI-4, MIL-PRF-2104H
T-11 ASTM D7156 Oil Thickening API CI-4 PLUS, CJ-4
T-12 Research Report and X X API CJ-4
Procedure in Draft form
M-11EGR ASTM D 6975 X X Filter API CI-4, MIL-PRF-2104H
Plugging
ISM Research Report and X X Filer Plugging API CJ-4
Procedure in Draft form

ISB Research Report and X API CJ-4

Procedure in Draft form
(1)
1K ASTM D 6750 X X API CF-4 , CH-4, CI-4,
MIL-PRF-2104H
1M-PC ASTM D 6618 X API CF-4, CF-2,
MIL-PRF-46167D,
MIL-PRF-21260E
1N ASTM D 6750 X X API CG-4, API CJ-4,
MIL-PRF-46167D,
MIL-PRF-21260E
1P ASTM D 6681 X X API CH-4, MIL-PRF-2104H
1R ASTM D 6923 X X API CI-4, MIL-PRF-2104H
C13 Research Report and X X API CJ-4
Procedure in Draft form
RFWT ASTM D 5966 X API CG-4, MIL-PRF-2104H,
MIL-PRF-46167D,
MIL-PRF-21260E, CI-4,
CI-4 PLUS, CJ-4
EOAT ASTM D 6894 Oil API CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, CI-4
Aeration PLUS, CJ-4, MIL-PRF-2104H
1. Back-to-back passing 1K tests may be substituted for the NTC-400 requirement for API CF-4.
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -7-

TABLE 3 - GASOLINE ENGINE TEST CONDITIONS

Engine Engine Temper Temper Temper Temper
Displace Displace Time Time Fuel Fuel ature ature ature ature
Engine ment ment Total, Each Air-Fuel Load Flow Flow Speed, Coolant Coolant Oil Oil
3 3
Test Type cm in h Phase Ratio KW Load bhp Kg/h lb/h Rpm °C °F °C °F
(1) (1)
Sequence VIII Single 700 42.5 40 13.43 Not Not 2.14-2.36 4.5-5.0 3150 93.3 200 143.3 290
Controlled Controlled

Sequence IIIF V6 3800 231 80 10 h 15:1 75.4 101 19.0 41.8 3600 122.0 251.6 155.0 311.0

Sequence IIIG V6 3800 231 100 20 h 15:1 94 126 22.5 49.5 3600 115 239 150.0 302.0

Seqence IVA I4 2400 147 100 50 min 14.4 2.09 2.80 1.30 2.87 800 50 122.0 49 120.2
10 min 14.4 3.93 5.27 2.15 4.74 1500 55 131.0 59 138.2

(2)
Sequence VG V8 4600 281 216 2h 1.0 24.00 32.18 6.80 14.99 1200 57 134.6 68 154.4
(2)
75 min 1.0 60.30 80.86 16.20 35.72 2900 85 185.0 100 212.0
(2)
45 min 0.75 1.30 1.74 2.10 4.63 700 45 113.0 45 113.0

Sequence VIB V8 4600 280 133 1.5 h 14.0- 15.39 20.63 1500 105 221 125 257
15.0
1.5 h 14.0- 2.18 2.92 800 95 203 105 221
15.0
1.5 h 14.0- 2.18 2.92 800 60 104 70 158
15.0
1.5 h 14.0- 15.39 20.63 1500 60 140 70 158
15.0
1.5 h 14.0- 15.39 20.63 1500 45 113 45 113
15.0
1. For SAE J1966 and SAE J1899, the oil temperature is 135 °C (275 °F).
2. Equivalence ratio is controlled by monitoring lambda values.
SAE J304 Revised MAR2007 -8-

TABLE 4 - GASOLINE ENGINE TEST REFERENCES, PERFORMANCE

EVALUATION FACTORS, AND APPLICATIONS

Evaluation Test Application

Evaluation Evaluation Evaluation Evaluation
Test Procedure Reference Rust and (See References 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1,
Sludge Varnish Wear Other
(Reference 2.1.2) Corrosion 2.1.1.2, 2.1.2.1)
Sequence VIII ASTM D 6709 Bearing API SH, API SJ, API SL, API SM,
Weight Loss API CF, API CF-4, API CG-4,
ILSAC GF-2, ILSAC GF-3,
ILSAC GF-4, MIL-PRF-46167D,
MIL-PRF-21260E

Sequence IIIF ASTM D 6984 X X X Oil API SL, ILSAC GF-3,

Thickening, MIL-PRF-2104H
Ring Sticking

Sequence IIIG ASTM Ballot Now X X Oil API SM, ILSAC GF-4,
Thickening, MIL-PRF-2104H
Ring Sticking

Sequence IVA ASTM D 6891 X API SL, SM, ILSAC GF-3,

ILSAC GF-4

Sequence VG ASTM D 6593 X X API SM, SL, ILSAC GF-3, GF-4

Sequence VIB ASTM D 6837 Fuel API SM, SL, ILSAC GF-3, GF-4
Efficiency

5. GASOLINE ENGINE TESTS

Lubricant performance is evaluated in gasoline engine tests in terms of rust and corrosion, sludge, varnish, piston ring
zone deposits and condition, wear, bearing corrosion, and fuel efficiency. For those tests listed in SAE J183 and SAE
J1423, Table 3 gives the test conditions and Table 4 gives procedure references, evaluation factors, and the API
performance categories, U.S. military specifications, and ILSAC Standards in which the tests are included.

6. MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS

Military performance specifications (i.e. MIL-PRF-) have historically been used as both primary performance
specifications, as well as a part of the procurement process via Qualified Products Lists (QPLs). Recently, there has
been an effort to adopt commercial standards in lieu of military specifications where applicable. In other instances,
military specifications have been converted to SAE standards, and the military specifications cancelled or are pending
cancellation. In a similar effort, several military commercial item descriptions (CIDs) have been converted to SAE
standards. An example of this is the conversion of CID A-A-52039 to SAE J2362. The SAE J2362 and SAE J2363
standards are intended for the engines of administrative and non-combat wheeled vehicles and do not specify engine test
requirements per se, other than via API categories. For this reason, these SAE standards are not listed in this document
in the tables concerned with test applications, Tables 2 and 4.

7. NOTES

7.1 Marginal Indicia

The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions
have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left of the document title indicates a complete
revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE FUELS AND LUBRICANTS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 1—

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE OILS