TriboDyn Tops Independent University Test of 40 Motor Oils – Metropolia Finland Study
TriboDyn TRI-EX² motor oils achieved the top ranking in an independent doctoral-level study conducted at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. The study tested 40 premium motor oils from major brands under controlled laboratory conditions.
This page summarizes the key findings from that independent testing.
This Was an Independent University Test
This test was conducted as part of a Doctoral Program in Engineering at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. To the best of our knowledge, the study was not funded or influenced by any oil company.
TriboDyn had no involvement in the following:
- Selection of the other brands tested
- Testing procedures or equipment used
- Measurement methods
- Evaluation of the results
We were not aware the testing was taking place until the university contacted us with the final results. All images and data shown on this page were provided directly by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
40 premium motor oils tested in the doctoral study at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Image provided by the university.
How the Testing Was Conducted
Each oil was tested using a precision Timken Bearing Testing machine — the industry standard for measuring film strength. Film strength is widely considered the most important property of motor oil because it determines how well the oil can prevent metal-to-metal contact and wear under pressure.
The testing machine works by pressing a steel bearing against a spinning steel wheel that runs in a bath of oil. The pressure is precisely controlled and gradually increased until the oil film breaks down. At that point, the machine automatically shuts down. The higher the pressure the oil can withstand before failing, the stronger its film strength.
Timken-type load tester used in the independent university study. Image provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
What the Test Measures
This Timken test is a widely accepted method for measuring the film strength of motor oil. Film strength refers to the oil’s ability to maintain a protective lubricating layer between metal surfaces under pressure.
During the test, the machine gradually increases pressure on the bearing until the oil film breaks down. At that point, metal-to-metal contact occurs, friction rises sharply, and the machine automatically shuts off. The longer the oil can withstand pressure before breaking down, the higher its film strength.
In addition to run time, the test also measures the scar left on the bearing. This scar shows where the wheel rubbed against the bearing once the oil film failed. A smaller scar indicates better protection. The best-performing oils deliver both long run times and small scar sizes.
Example of a bearing scar after testing. A larger scar indicates the oil broke down under pressure and provided less protection. Image provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Step-by-Step Testing Process
1. Each oil sample was heated to 212°F (100°C) to simulate normal engine operating temperature.
2. The test machine was started, spinning the wheel in the heated oil.
3. The bearing was pressed against the spinning wheel with pressure increased in precise, controlled increments until the oil film broke down and the motor overloaded and shut off.
4. At the point of failure, the time, pressure, and temperature were recorded and verified by university staff.
Image provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Street Oils vs. Track / Racing Oils
Motor oil manufacturers formulate different oils for different applications. Street oils are designed for normal passenger cars and trucks, while track and racing oils are engineered to handle much higher levels of stress, including extreme temperatures, higher RPMs, and greater pressure.
To ensure a fair comparison, the oils in this study were separated into two categories based on the manufacturer’s recommended use and oil weight. This allowed the university to evaluate performance within each intended application rather than comparing street oils directly against racing oils.
Test Results
Film Strength
Film strength measures how much pressure an oil can withstand before it breaks down and allows metal-to-metal contact. It is considered one of the most important performance characteristics of any lubricant.
Film strength is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the PSI, the greater the pressure the oil can handle before failing.
TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 achieved the highest film strength in the entire study, recording 304,239 PSI — nearly double the strength of the next best oil tested. — nearly double the strength of the next best oil tested.
Data Provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Load-Tripping Time Test Results
The first category reported was the Load Tripping time, which is the time (in seconds) the wheel spun in oil before the film strength failed and caused an overload, shutting off the test machine motor.
In the Street Oil category, TriboDyn TRI-EX² 5W-30 Motor Oil recorded the longest load-tripping time of 292 seconds. The next closest oil came in at 40 seconds.
Film strength results for track and racing oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 recorded the highest film strength at 304,239 PSI. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Load Tripping Time
In the Track Oil category, TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 delivered the longest load-tripping time at 258 seconds. The closest competitor recorded 235 seconds.
Load tripping time results for track oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 recorded the longest time at 258 seconds. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Scar Size
Scar size shows how well an oil protects metal surfaces from wear during extreme pressure. A smaller scar means better protection.
When pressure increases, TriboDyn TRI-EX² releases a thin, self-lubricating ceramic film that helps protect metal surfaces better than conventional synthetics. In the study, TriboDyn TRI-EX² 5W-30 produced a scar size almost 5 times smaller than its nearest competitor.
Scar size results for street oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 5W-30 produced a scar almost 5 times smaller than the next best oil. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Scar Size – Track Oils
TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 produced the smallest scar size among all track oils tested at just 3.56 mm². Even though the other track oils are specialized racing formulations, TriboDyn still outperformed the best of the premium competitors.
Scar size results for track oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 produced the smallest scar at 3.56 mm². Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Price Quality Index (PQI)
Metropolia University created a “Price Quality Index” that combines all test results to measure the overall value of each oil. In simple terms, it shows how much protection an oil delivers relative to its cost. Higher performance at a reasonable price results in a better PQI score.
Price Quality Index – Street Oils
TriboDyn TRI-EX² 5W-30 achieved the highest Price Quality Index score in the street oil category. This result is consistent with its strong performance in the Load Tripping Time and Scar Size tests.
Price Quality Index results for street oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 5W-30 achieved the highest overall value score at 6.51. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Price Quality Index – Track Oils
TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 also achieved the highest Price Quality Index score in the track oil category, delivering the best overall performance-to-price ratio among all racing oils tested.
Price Quality Index results for track oils. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 achieved the highest overall value score at 8.34. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
It is worth noting that TriboDyn’s street oil performed at a similar level to its racing oil. All TriboDyn formulas are engineered to deliver maximum protection and performance, regardless of whether the oil is used in a daily driver or a high-performance racing application.
Can Oil Increase Horsepower?
Many products claim to increase horsepower. In reality, almost any quality fresh oil will deliver a small horsepower gain simply because it lubricates better than old, degraded oil.
To determine which oil delivered the greatest horsepower increase, Metropolia University tested the top-performing oils from their study using the same vehicle on a dynamometer. For each test, the vehicle was filled with one oil, run on the dyno, and the horsepower was recorded. The oil was then fully drained, the filter was changed, and the process was repeated with the next oil. This was done for the top 7 oils.
Dynamometer horsepower test results. TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 produced the highest horsepower at 312.3 HP. Data provided by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Horsepower Results
TriboDyn TRI-EX² 20W-50 produced the highest horsepower reading during the dyno test at 312.3 HP. The next closest competitor recorded 311.2 HP.
TriboDyn delivered a measurable horsepower advantage right out of the bottle. Because TriboDyn TRI-EX² deploys a ceramic film as it goes through heat cycles over time, the horsepower gain would likely increase beyond this initial reading as the ceramic coating builds on internal engine surfaces.
Overall Conclusions
This independent test by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences clearly demonstrated the performance of TriboDyn TRI-EX² against more established premium brands under controlled conditions.
TriboDyn outperforms other lubricants because it was engineered to treat the metal, not just the oil. For decades, the aerospace, aviation, and elite motorsports industries have used ceramic coatings on internal components to achieve maximum performance and protection. TriboDyn has made this advanced technology accessible with TRI-EX². By combining high-quality synthetic base oils with ceramic coating technology, TriboDyn delivers superior protection and performance in all operating conditions.