About The Petroleum Quality Institute of America
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) conducts independent testing of consumer, commercial, and industrial lubricants. PQIA’s mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by testing and reporting on the quality and integrity of lubricants in the marketplace. It is expected that this improved visibility of quality will lead to wider conformance by lubricant manufacturers to specification and performance claims.
Subscribe to the PQIA Newsletter to get regular email updates in your inbox.
PQIA Supporters
The Following Companies Support the Petroleum Quality Institute of America’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Marketplace.
PQIA Advisory Board
PQIA Advisory Board
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America’s Advisory Board comprises a distinguished group of professionals with prominence in a broad range of fields in the lubricants business. The role of the Advisory Board is to provide PQIA’s management with guidance, advice, recommendations and counsel in how to best pursue PQIA’s purpose and mission. MORE>>
New Test Results: AMSOIL, Mobil Special, Pennzoil, and Wolf’s Head
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Results on Delo, Rotella and Delvac
Test results on samples of Chevron Delo 400 SDE, Shell Rotella T4, and Mobil Delvac 1300 Super. The three brands tested are SAE15W-40 viscosity grade, heavy-duty engine oil (HDEO) with API CK-4 credentials.
Test Results on Samples of Drive MXD, Warren Oil, Pilot, and SHEETZ
Test Results on Samples of Drive MXD, Warren Oil, Pilot, and SHEETZ. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the four products below meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Advisory Issued on GP Petrogen 0W-20 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
The results of the tests conducted on two samples of this product do not meet the requirements of the stated claim for an API SN, ILSAC GF-5 motor oil, or the General Motor’s dexos®1 GEN2 specification.
Test Results – Warren Synthetic Blend Motor Oil 5W-30, and Pilot SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Result on Shield Valor, Speedol Zeta, SynGard, Syntec, SynGard, and Zepro
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Results in on Havoline, Pro TX and Master Mechanic
Test Results in on Havoline, Pro TX and Master Mechanic. The results of the tests conducted on these sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Test Results in on Sinclair, Mobil 1, and Valvoline Motor Oils
The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Test Results in on Castol Edge, FRAM, and Pennzoil Platinum SAE 0W-20 Motor Oils
The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Halo Motor Oil
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Halo 10W-30 and 5W-20 Motor Oil. Use of these motor oils in virtually all automobile engines currently on the road will likely cause harm to the engine.
PQIA Test Results in on two motor oils formulated for classic and muscle cars, and one with POE-PAO baseoil
The following are test results on two samples of motor oil formulated for use in classic cars, muscle cars and other older model vehicles with engines that have flat tappet cams, lifters & pushrods. These products contain higher levels of the antiwear additive ZDDP than that in motor oils formulated for use in most cars currently on the road. For more about such motor oils, see PQIA article, Motor Oils for Classic and Vintage Cars.
Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Reminds Consumers to Read Product Labels!
A complaint of inadequate performance after the use automotive oils has prompted calls for customers to be vigilant and read the label of products before making their purchases. The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is in receipt of a complaint that a brand of automotive oil purchased locally has impacted the engine of a motor
Ultra1Plus Joins PQIA to Ensure Continued Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Market
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is pleased to announce that Ultra1Plus has joined its growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers, and other supporters working to help ensure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids and other lubricants in the market.
CONSUMER ALERT – Mileage 365 Motor Oil
The PQIA recently stopped at a convenience store in Warren, Ohio, and to our disappointment we once again found Mileage 365 on the shelves. Mileage 365 is a product that PQIA has seen on store shelves in Ohio in the past and found it to have deficiencies serious enough that the oil will likely cause harm to an engine. And the samples we obtained during our most recent visit to Warren, OH are likewise deficient.
State Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Issues Consumer Advisory for all REV 360 Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid
the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a Stop-Use and Stop-Removal Order for motor oil and transmission fluid manufactured, packaged, and/or distributed by Orion Lubricants of Worth, IL under the brand REV 360 after finding the products did not comply with the Michigan Weights and Measures Act, 1964 Public Act 283. The
CITGO SUPERGARD SAE 10W-30 and Pilot Flying J ATF Test Results
The results of the tests conducted on the products tested are consistent with their labeled claims.
Test Results on FRAM, Sunoco, Traveller, and Wolf’s Head
The results of the tests conducted on samples of these motor oils meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
The Latest Sample Results on Four ATFs
The results of the tests conducted on these sample are consistent with the DEXRON®-III and MERCON® specifications listed on the product labels.
Mobil Full Synthetic, Smart Living, and MAG1 Full Synthetic
The results of the tests conducted on samples of these motor oils meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Motor Oils Are Not All The Same
It’s not unusual to hear someone say, “Motor oil is motor oil, they are all the same.” Although this is far from true, it’s not hard to understand why some might think so. As with many consumer products, the differences between products are often determined by using the senses. In the case of food, for
New Test Results: AMSOIL, Mobil Special, Pennzoil, and Wolf’s Head
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Results on Delo, Rotella and Delvac
Test results on samples of Chevron Delo 400 SDE, Shell Rotella T4, and Mobil Delvac 1300 Super. The three brands tested are SAE15W-40 viscosity grade, heavy-duty engine oil (HDEO) with API CK-4 credentials.
Test Results on Samples of Drive MXD, Warren Oil, Pilot, and SHEETZ
Test Results on Samples of Drive MXD, Warren Oil, Pilot, and SHEETZ. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the four products below meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Advisory Issued on GP Petrogen 0W-20 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
The results of the tests conducted on two samples of this product do not meet the requirements of the stated claim for an API SN, ILSAC GF-5 motor oil, or the General Motor’s dexos®1 GEN2 specification.
Test Results – Warren Synthetic Blend Motor Oil 5W-30, and Pilot SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Result on Shield Valor, Speedol Zeta, SynGard, Syntec, SynGard, and Zepro
The results of the tests conducted on these samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Test Results in on Havoline, Pro TX and Master Mechanic
Test Results in on Havoline, Pro TX and Master Mechanic. The results of the tests conducted on these sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Test Results in on Sinclair, Mobil 1, and Valvoline Motor Oils
The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Test Results in on Castol Edge, FRAM, and Pennzoil Platinum SAE 0W-20 Motor Oils
The results of the tests conducted on this sample meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Halo Motor Oil
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Halo 10W-30 and 5W-20 Motor Oil. Use of these motor oils in virtually all automobile engines currently on the road will likely cause harm to the engine.
PQIA Test Results in on two motor oils formulated for classic and muscle cars, and one with POE-PAO baseoil
The following are test results on two samples of motor oil formulated for use in classic cars, muscle cars and other older model vehicles with engines that have flat tappet cams, lifters & pushrods. These products contain higher levels of the antiwear additive ZDDP than that in motor oils formulated for use in most cars currently on the road. For more about such motor oils, see PQIA article, Motor Oils for Classic and Vintage Cars.
Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Reminds Consumers to Read Product Labels!
A complaint of inadequate performance after the use automotive oils has prompted calls for customers to be vigilant and read the label of products before making their purchases. The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards is in receipt of a complaint that a brand of automotive oil purchased locally has impacted the engine of a motor
Ultra1Plus Joins PQIA to Ensure Continued Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Market
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is pleased to announce that Ultra1Plus has joined its growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers, and other supporters working to help ensure the quality and integrity of motor oils, transmission fluids and other lubricants in the market.
CONSUMER ALERT – Mileage 365 Motor Oil
The PQIA recently stopped at a convenience store in Warren, Ohio, and to our disappointment we once again found Mileage 365 on the shelves. Mileage 365 is a product that PQIA has seen on store shelves in Ohio in the past and found it to have deficiencies serious enough that the oil will likely cause harm to an engine. And the samples we obtained during our most recent visit to Warren, OH are likewise deficient.
State Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Issues Consumer Advisory for all REV 360 Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid
the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a Stop-Use and Stop-Removal Order for motor oil and transmission fluid manufactured, packaged, and/or distributed by Orion Lubricants of Worth, IL under the brand REV 360 after finding the products did not comply with the Michigan Weights and Measures Act, 1964 Public Act 283. The
CITGO SUPERGARD SAE 10W-30 and Pilot Flying J ATF Test Results
The results of the tests conducted on the products tested are consistent with their labeled claims.
Test Results on FRAM, Sunoco, Traveller, and Wolf’s Head
The results of the tests conducted on samples of these motor oils meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
The Latest Sample Results on Four ATFs
The results of the tests conducted on these sample are consistent with the DEXRON®-III and MERCON® specifications listed on the product labels.
Mobil Full Synthetic, Smart Living, and MAG1 Full Synthetic
The results of the tests conducted on samples of these motor oils meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
Motor Oils Are Not All The Same
It’s not unusual to hear someone say, “Motor oil is motor oil, they are all the same.” Although this is far from true, it’s not hard to understand why some might think so. As with many consumer products, the differences between products are often determined by using the senses. In the case of food, for
Featured Articles
Resources
AAA – American Automobile Association
ACC – American Chemistry Council
ACEA – European Automobile Manufacturers Association
AFPM – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
AOCA – Automotive Oil Change Association
API – American Petroleum Institute
ASA – The Automotive Service Association
ATIEL – Association Technique de l’Industrie Européenne des Lubrifiants (ATIEL)
Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association
CAAM – China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM)
CEC – Coordinating European Council (CEC)
CRC – Coordinating Research Council
EMA – Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association
ILMA – Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association
International Council of Machinery Lubrication
JAMA – Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.
KAMA – Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA)
Municipal Fleet Managers Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association
NLGI – National Lubricating Grease Institute
NORA – An Association of Responsible Recyclers
OICA – The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
PMAA – Petroleum Marketers Association of America
PQIA – Petroleum Quality Institute of America
SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
SIGMA – Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America
STLE – Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
The World Refining Association
UEIL – Union Indépendante de l’Industrie Européenne des Lubrifiants
Passenger Car Engine Oil (PCEO)
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
John Deere Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
Volvo T-13 Engine Oil Oxidation Test
SAE Viscosity Grade Specifications
Evolution of Motor Oil Viscosity Grades
Viscosity Specifications for ATFs
Understanding Viscosity Modifiers
Consumer Alert
Due to the high viscosity, absence of additives vital to protecting an engine from deposits and wear, high phosphorus content, and labeling violations, PQIA has issued a Consumer Alert on Super Green Smokeless Motor Oil. Use of this product in virtually all automobile engines will likely cause harm to the engine. Read More>>
PQIA Supporters
The Following Companies Support the Petroleum Quality Institute of America’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Marketplace.
PQIA Advisory Board
PQIA Advisory Board
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America’s Advisory Board comprises a distinguished group of professionals with prominence in a broad range of fields in the lubricants business. The role of the Advisory Board is to provide PQIA’s management with guidance, advice, recommendations and counsel in how to best pursue PQIA’s purpose and mission. MORE>>
Petroleum Quality Institute of America
406 Main Street
Metuchen, NJ 08840
Phone: 732-201-4033