ASTM D6593-00 - 10.11.2001
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method is commonly referred to as the Sequence VG test and has been correlated with vehicles used in stop-and-go service prior to 1996, particularly with regard to sludge and varnish formation. It is one of the test methods required to evaluate oils intended to satisfy the API SL performance category.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in 7.7, 7.10.2.2, 8.3.4.2, 8.4.4.3, 9.2.6, 9.3.4.5, 9.6.1.2, 12.1.1.7, 12.2.1.4, and Annex A1.

1.4 A Table of Contents follows:

Section
Scope1
Referenced Documents2
ASTM Standards2.1
SAE Standards2.2
ANSI Standard2.3
Terminology3
Definitions3.1
Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard3.2
Summary of Test Method4
Significance and Use5
Apparatus-General Description6
Apparatus-The Test Engine7
Sequence VG Test Engine7.1
Required New Engine Parts7.2
Reusable Engine Parts7.3
Specially Fabricated Engine Parts7.4
Special Engine Measurement and Assembly Equipment7.5
Miscellaneous Engine Components-Preparation7.6
Solvents and Cleaners Required7.7
Assembling the Test Engine-Preparations7.8
Assembling the Test Engine-Installations7.9
Engine Installation on the Test Stand7.10
Engine Fluids-Supply/Discharge Systems8
Intake Air8.1
Fuel and Fuel System8.2
Engine Oil and Engine Oil System8.3
Coolants8.4
Measurement Instrumentation9
Temperatures9.1
Pressures9.2
Flow Rates9.3
Fuel Consumption9.4
Speed and Load9.5
Exhaust Gas9.6
Humidity9.7
Miscellaneous Laboratory Equipment10
Test Stand Calibration11
Test Procedure12
Pre-Test Procedure12.1
Engine Operating Procedure12.2
Periodic Measurements and Functions12.3
Special Maintenance Procedures12.4
Diagnostic Data Review12.5
End of Test Procedure12.6
Interpretation of Test Results13
Parts Rating Area-Environment13.1
Sludge Ratings13.2
Varnish Ratings13.3
Clogging13.4
Sticking13.5
Used Oil Analyses13.6
Assessment of Test Validity14
General14.1
Average Exhaust Gas NO x Levels14.2
Used Oil Analyses-Interpretation14.3
Blowby Flow Rate14.4
Manifold Absolute Pressure14.5
Fuel Consumption Rate14.6
Oil Consumption14.7
Engine Parts Replacement14.8
Quality Index and Deviation Percentage14.9
Final Test Report15
Report Forms15.1
Photographs15.2
Precision and Bias16
Keywords17
ANNEXES
Safety PrecautionsAnnex A1
Control and Data Acquisition RequirementsAnnex A2
Detailed Specifications and Photographs of ApparatusAnnex A3
Special Service Tools for the Test EngineAnnex A4
Engine Parts Number ListingAnnex A5
External Oil Heat Exchanger Cleaning TechniqueAnnex A6
Final Report FormsAnnex A7
Typical 4.6L Dipstick CalibrationAnnex A8
Critical Part Supplier ListAnnex A9
Oil Sampling, Addition and Leveling RecordAnnex A10
Rating WorksheetsAnnex A11
Fuel Injector Flow MeasurementsAnnex A12
APPENDIXES
Suggested Engine Measurement SheetsAppendix X1
Sources of Materials and InformationAppendix X2
Description of Scott Quarterly Gas Audit ServiceAppendix X3

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4175-24e2

Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants (Includes all amendments and changes 6/9/2026).

D4057-22

Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D3525-20(2026)e1

Standard Test Method for Gasoline Fuel Dilution in Used Gasoline Engine Oils by Wide-Bore Capillary Gas Chromatography (Includes all amendments and changes 4/16/2026).

D3237-22

Standard Test Method for Lead in Gasoline by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D2789-95(2000)e1

Standard Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Low Olefinic Gasoline by Mass Spectrometry

D2622-26

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D1298-24

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method

D1266-18

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Lamp Method) (Withdrawn 2025)

D873-22

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Aviation Fuels (Potential Residue Method)

D525-12a(2025)

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method) (Includes all amendments and changes 12/24/2025).

D381-25

Standard Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation

D86-23ae2

Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Includes all amendments and changes 11/4/2024).

D445-26

Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)

D323-26

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method)

D235-22

Standard Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)

D287-22

Standard Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer/Method)

ASTM Deposit Rating Manual 20

ANSI MC96.1

Temperature Measurement-Thermocouples

G40-25a

Standard Terminology Relating to Wear and Erosion (Includes all amendments and changes 12/8/2025).

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

D7422-25

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Diesel Engine Oils in T-12 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Diesel Engine

D6304-25

Standard Test Method for Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

D5862-09

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in Two-Stroke Cycle Turbo-Supercharged 6V92TA Diesel Engine (Withdrawn 2009)

D4294-24

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D4485-24

Standard Specification for Performance of Active API Service Category Engine Oils

D5059-26

Standard Test Methods for Lead and Manganese in Gasoline by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

D5185-26

Standard Test Method for Multielement Determination of Used and Unused Lubricating Oils and Base Oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)