Latest news with #SAE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Does Costco's Kirkland Signature Motor Oil Pass The Same Tests As Other Brands?
Costco can do a pretty good job helping drivers save money, whether the company is offering a good deal on tires, or discounts on brand-new Corvettes, or a low-cost motor oil under its own house label, Kirkland Signature. Yes, that's the same brand slapped on Costco krill oil, olive oil, and vegetable oil. And Costco underwear, protein bars, snack nuts, baby wipes, and more. Much more. But that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with any of those products. Just ask the millions of people who devour the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chickens each year. So it should come as no surprise that Kirkland Signature motor oil can pass the same tests as its brand-name competition. The same way Costco's cooked chicken has to meet certain guidelines to keep people healthy, Costco's house-brand motor oil — like everybody else's — is held to strict standards to help maintain your car's health. Read more: These Are Your Favorite Factory Exhaust Designs Who Tests Kirkland Signature Engine Oil? Multiple agencies set standards for motor oil, including the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA). The former, for example, is behind the common ratings for oil, like "SAE 5W 30," where the "5" represents how thick the oil is during a cold start and the "30" is how thick it is at regular operating temperatures. (The "W" means it's suitable for winter driving.) The PQIA is a good source for finding more details with its easy online lookup tool. Using that to compare Kirkland Signature with, say, Mobil can show some of the tests these lubricants go through and their results, too. Maintaining oil thickness in a hot engine? This is measured in centistokes, which gauge the time it takes for oil to flow through a test channel, and fully synthetic Kirkland Signature 5W 30 rates at 11.6 centistokes at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, with the Mobil equivalent at 11.2. So the Kirkland oil flows a tiny bit slower, meaning it maintains its thickness under heat a bit better. Amount of zinc added to the oil for the anti-wear protection needed in older engines? Costco's oil has 870 parts per million versus Mobil's 868. Here, Kirkland has a (very) small advantage by providing more of the protective element. Those admittedly cherry-picked minor differences come with a huge price saving. Costco sells 12 quarts of Kirkland Signature for about $5 more than a six-pack of Mobil1. Why Testing Is Important For Engine Oil Engine oil plays a number of vital roles in your car, so you have to be sure it's up to the task. Let's look at viscosity performance again. If oil is too viscous — that is, too thick — it may not flow through the engine quickly enough to lubricate the moving parts, leading to engine damage. Likewise, if the engine is too thin, the layer of lubrication between pieces of metal may be too thin as well, leading to the same problem. You need a "just right" formulation that's been properly tested to meet your car's needs. Dirty oil can be another huge problem, as contaminants can lead to more metal-to-metal contact from lack of lubrication, plus the dirt can cause sludge buildups that prevent the oil from flowing where it should. It's usually the case that oil gets dirty and contaminated over time, which is why the simple act of maintaining your car is so important. But the American Petroleum Institute also has its own seal of approval for performance and quality to make sure new oil comes to you clean in the first place. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
New doors open for students in Malaysia
STUDENTS in Malaysia have the chance to begin an American degree right after SPM or IGCSE, thanks to Sunway University's School of American Education (SAE). Delivered in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), SAE offers a flexible and affordable pathway to globally recognised qualifications. Driving this forward is the school's newly appointed dean, Associate Prof Dr Woo Pei Jun, who brings a strong background in American education and a deep understanding of what students and families value today: quality, security and future-readiness. With her leadership, the school is strengthening its focus on student wellbeing, academic excellence and flexible pathways for global success. "We recognise that parents are looking for stability, quality and assurance in their children's education. Our goal is to provide a world-class education that's safe, affordable and full of opportunity — right here in Malaysia, with the option to pursue global experiences when the time is right," said Dr Woo. ASU has been ranked No. 1 in the United States for innovation by the U.S. News & World Report for ten consecutive years, ahead of institutions such as MIT and Stanford. It is also listed among the top one per cent of universities globally by the Center for World University Rankings. GLOBALLY RECOGNISED DEGREE SAE currently offers four undergraduate degree programmes: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital Communication (Advertising): Prepares students for careers in branding, content strategy and public relations, using a curriculum modelled after ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology: Covers behavioural science, mental health and cognitive processes, with applications in counselling, education and research. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence): Equips students with technical skills in machine learning and AI development for future tech-driven industries. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital Media Design: Focuses on creative media production, including web design, animation and digital storytelling. All programmes are fully delivered in Sunway University, the No.1 private university in ASEAN (AppliedHE 2025), supported by ASU-certified modules and teaching frameworks. Students completing the full degree will receive transcripts and scrolls from both Sunway University and ASU. FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS Through the American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP), students may transfer to ASU or other universities in the United States and Canada. Past students have successfully continued their studies at institutions including Cornell, New York University, Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan. SAE's ASU Pathway is designed for smooth academic progression, with courses structured for maximum credit transfer. More than 75 per cent of students have transferred successfully to overseas universities, many with scholarships. Students who complete their final year in the United States are eligible for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme, allowing them to gain up to one year of work experience in the country after graduation, or up to three years for those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. FALL 2025 INTAKE Applications are now open for the Fall 2025 intake, and prospective students are encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited. Sunway University is offering application fee waivers and scholarship opportunities, including for students planning to transfer to ASU or other Tier 1 universities in the United States and Canada.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Study Shows Summer Heat Is Not The Biggest Drain On An EV's Battery Range
Baby it's hot outside, but a new study shows that heat is not the biggest drain on an EV's state of ... More charge. Those who intend on taking a road trip this summer in a full-electric vehicle should take note: While it's been widely circulated that driving in extreme temperatures – including the sweltering summer heat much of the nation is suffering – can take a heavy toll on an electric vehicle's range on a charge, it's not the worst kilowatt killer in this regard. A recent study conducted by the automotive analytics company Geolab found that while running an EV's air conditioning on a hot day can accelerate its energy consumption, driving at higher speeds can actually prove to be a more significant detrimental effect on its operating range. Geolab's experts mined telematics data from 350,000 trips in 500 battery-powered sedans, totaling over 180,000 hours of driving. It shows that even modest increases in an EV's speed can result in a pronounced loss of battery capacity. When last we checked, testing conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), determined that an EV can be expected to lose an average 17% of its effective range when the temperature reaches 95 degrees. Like an internal combustion vehicle, it takes additional energy to operate a car on a hot day with the air conditioning running, though the penalty tends to be more pronounced with an EV. However, Geolab's findings take a different tack by comparing vehicle speeds at higher temperatures. The researchers found that a full-electric sedan can expect a 28% drop in operating range at 86 °F when cruising at 80 mph versus 50 mph. At 50 mph an EV that has 277 miles of driving range, will drop to an average 251 miles at 60 mph, 226 miles at 70 mph and just 200 miles at 80 mph. It may take an EV owner a bit longer to get to a far-flung destination driving at a slower speed, but doing so can ensure he or she will have that extra 77 miles of battery power to get there and perhaps avoid having to frantically find a working public charging station along the way when the state of charge runs low. The laws of physics are working overtime here, with an EV's aerodynamics largely coming into play. Just as it is in a conventionally powered ride, the faster a vehicle travels, the harder it has to work to combat an increasing amount of wind resistance. Sleeker is better in this regard, with the Lucid Air EV's svelte silhouette at around a 0.21 coefficient of drag, which makes it one of the slipperiest cars on the planet. Combined with an active rear spoiler that engages at higher speeds and other advanced technology. It's EPA-rated as high as the electric equivalent of 142 mpg in highway driving. According to Geolab's analysis, doubling an EV's speed requires four times the energy just to overcome the added wind resistance, which is more than its cabin air conditioning system will ever use. Of course, vehicle speed is not the only factor in play at robbing an EV of range in hot weather. At lower speeds – especially in stop-and-go city traffic – where wind resistance is negligible, running the air conditioning becomes a more prevalent penalty. Ambient temperatures become an even more significant factor in winter, where tests have shown that EVs can lose as much as around 41% of their battery capacity at 20 degrees Fahrenheit and an even greater percentage at chillier ambient temperatures while running the cabin heater. As with most of us, EVs prefer more temperate conditions, with the SAE's data showing a zero loss of range while driving at 75 degrees. "Modern EVs have increasingly large batteries, and many can comfortably handle most daily driving - including fleet routes - on a single charge," explains Charlotte Argue, Geotab's Senior Manager for Sustainability. "But range, on EVs or internal combustion vehicles, will always vary with real-world conditions: temperature, topography, traffic, and yes, speed." Whether taking an extended highway road trip or running errands around town, there are a number of ways prudent EV owners can help maximize their vehicles' range on a charge, no matter what the thermometer reads:
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MNNIT develops tech to increase vehicle lifecycle
Experts from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology ( MNNIT ), Prayagraj, have developed a groundbreaking engine cylinder liner that promises to revolutionise the vehicle lifecycle and sustainability by reducing lubricant leakage and emissions. This innovation, achieved through protruding surface texturing technology, is expected to greatly enhance engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. The engine cylinder linear piston ring pairs (commonly known as CLPRs) significantly reduced friction and wear by 38% between the piston ring and the cylinder liner, compared to conventional designs. With less fuel being burned, the engine emits fewer harmful gases, thereby contributing to environmental conservation. This development holds major promise for the automobile sector, particularly for two-wheeler and four-wheeler engines, and is being hailed as a major step forward for India's automotive industry. The research carried out by assistant professor at the department of mechanical engineering of MNNIT Allahabad, Tej Pratap, and his research scholar, Govind Murari, has been published in the UK's renowned Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering. According to Pratap, the cylinder linear with different configurations of protruded textures was fabricated using a five-axis flexi fibre nanosecond pulsed laser, a high-precision device capable of micro-scale surface engineering application. "To verify its performance, the new cylinder linear underwent rigorous testing on a tribometer machine under SAE 10W-30 lubricants at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut. The tests evaluated the CLPR's performance for five different protruded textures and friction and wear parameters. All of them yielded positive results," he said. Key improvements include a reduction in oil leakage and friction at the CLPR's interface, leading to decreased emission of harmful gases. Additionally, the efficiency and durability of the CLPRs were significantly enhanced, ensuring long-term functionality under variable loadings and engine conditions. For a smooth ride Friction and wear between the piston ring and the cylinder liner were reduced by 38per cent. By reducing oil leakage and friction where the piston ring and the cylinder linear meet each other, harmful gases emitted from the vehicle were reduced Efficiency and durability of CLPRs were increased so that they work well for a long lifecycle without compromising their performance
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MNNIT develops tech to increase vehicle lifecycle
Prayagraj: Experts from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj, have developed a groundbreaking engine cylinder liner that promises to revolutionise the vehicle lifecycle and sustainability by reducing lubricant leakage and emissions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This innovation, achieved through protruding surface texturing technology, is expected to greatly enhance engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. The engine cylinder linear piston ring pairs (commonly known as CLPRs) significantly reduced friction and wear by 38% between the piston ring and the cylinder liner, compared to conventional designs. With less fuel being burned, the engine emits fewer harmful gases, thereby contributing to environmental conservation. This development holds major promise for the automobile sector, particularly for two-wheeler and four-wheeler engines, and is being hailed as a major step forward for India's automotive industry. The research carried out by assistant professor at the department of mechanical engineering of MNNIT Allahabad, Tej Pratap, and his research scholar, Govind Murari, has been published in the UK's renowned Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering. According to Pratap, the cylinder linear with different configurations of protruded textures was fabricated using a five-axis flexi fibre nanosecond pulsed laser, a high-precision device capable of micro-scale surface engineering application. "To verify its performance, the new cylinder linear underwent rigorous testing on a tribometer machine under SAE 10W-30 lubricants at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The tests evaluated the CLPR's performance for five different protruded textures and friction and wear parameters. All of them yielded positive results," he said. Key improvements include a reduction in oil leakage and friction at the CLPR's interface, leading to decreased emission of harmful gases. Additionally, the efficiency and durability of the CLPRs were significantly enhanced, ensuring long-term functionality under variable loadings and engine conditions. For a smooth ride Friction and wear between the piston ring and the cylinder liner were reduced by 38% By reducing oil leakage and friction where the piston ring and the cylinder linear meet each other, harmful gases emitted from the vehicle were reduced Efficiency and durability of CLPRs were increased so that they work well for a long lifecycle without compromising their performance
