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. 

Additive Manufacturers

Afton Chemical

Infineum

Lubrizol

Oronite

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>>

Results in on Lucas, CITGO, and Sunoco

The results of the tests conducted on the 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. Lucas High Mileage  SAE 5W-30, API SP/ILSAC GF-6 CITGO Supergard SAE 10W-30, API SN/ILSAC GF-5 Sunoco Ultra High Mileage SAE 10W-30, API SP/ILSAC

Read More »

Test Results: Road-Tech, StarFire, and Vantage

Samples of the following three brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. Click bottles for detailed assessments.  Road-Tech Synthetic Blend SAE 5W-30 API SP/ILSAC GF-6A Star Fire SAE 5W-30  API SP/ILSAC GF-6A Vantage Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-30 API SP/ILSAC GF-6

Read More »

Test Results: JEGS, Diamond Fleet, and PennGrade

Samples of the following three brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. Click bottles for detailed assessments. JEGS Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 Hot Shot’s Diamond Fleet SAE 15W-40 PennGrade Partial Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-30

Read More »

Motor Oils for Classic and Vintage Cars

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America has from time-to-time encountered motor oils containing high levels of a multifunctional oil additive called zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). This additive contributes anti-wear, anti-oxidation, and corrosion inhibition properties to the oil. ZDDP has been used in motor oil formulations almost universally for decades, and oils with high levels of ZDDP are often promoted as being better suited for engines in older cars with “flat-tappet” lifters.

Read More »

DuraMAX, Lubir Edge, Super S SuperSyn

Samples of the following two brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories. Click bottles for full report

Read More »

Havoline, Spectrol, and Mobil Super Motor Oils

The results of the tests conducted on the samples of Havoline, Mobil Super, and Spectrol show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Licensed GM dexos®1 Gen 2 brands

General Motors recommends the use of dexos™ approved engine oils for global factory and service fill in spark ignited and diesel engines. Importantly, the brands with dexos approved licenses varies over time. GM’s list of Licensed dexos® brands is available online and updated quarterly, with the most recent update on December 16, 2020.

Read More »

Test Results – O’Reilly, UltraLub, and Unival

The results of the tests conducted on the samples of O’Reilly, UltraLub, and Unival show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Above and Below Average

As seen by the differences in the API SN and SN PLUS samples examined by PQIA, the average of the SN PLUS formulations shows lower calcium and higher magnesium levels than API SN. The same can be seen with the new API SP Service Category, and for the same reason; to protect engines from potentially severe damage due to LSPI.

Read More »

Test Results – Chevron Supreme and ACE

Samples of Chevron Supreme SAE 10W-40 and ACE SAE 5W-20 were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Dr. Scott McQueen Joins PQIA Advisory Board

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott McQueen, Manager of Lubricants Research & Product Management for Phillips 66, has replaced recently retired Reginald “Reggie” Dias on the PQIA Advisory Board.

Read More »

Buying Motor Oil Online

While this is a very efficient and easy way to shop, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America advises consumers to take the time to look for the specifications the product meets when buying motor oil online. If not shown on the first screen, click or scroll for more details before adding motor oil to your cart.

Read More »

Modern Muscle, and Majestic 5W-30

Samples of the following two brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Q Motor Oils recently tested

PQIA issues Consumer Alerts on the Q brand “10•30” and “10•40” motor oils recently purchased at a convenience store in Florence Kentucky. Based on the results of the samples tested, use of these products in virtually all automobile engines on the road today could cause harm to the engine.

Read More »

Irvin Warren – Tribute

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is saddened to announce the passing of PQIA’s founding Advisory Board member, Mr. Irvin Warren William Irvin Warren June 1, 1942 – December 1, 2020  The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is saddened to announce the passing of PQIA’s founding Advisory Board member, Mr. Irvin Warren.  Mr. Warren of Dunn, North Carolina,

Read More »

Results in on Lucas, CITGO, and Sunoco

The results of the tests conducted on the 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. Lucas High Mileage  SAE 5W-30, API SP/ILSAC GF-6 CITGO Supergard SAE 10W-30, API SN/ILSAC GF-5 Sunoco Ultra High Mileage SAE 10W-30, API SP/ILSAC

Read More »

Test Results: Road-Tech, StarFire, and Vantage

Samples of the following three brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. Click bottles for detailed assessments.  Road-Tech Synthetic Blend SAE 5W-30 API SP/ILSAC GF-6A Star Fire SAE 5W-30  API SP/ILSAC GF-6A Vantage Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-30 API SP/ILSAC GF-6

Read More »

Test Results: JEGS, Diamond Fleet, and PennGrade

Samples of the following three brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. Click bottles for detailed assessments. JEGS Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 Hot Shot’s Diamond Fleet SAE 15W-40 PennGrade Partial Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-30

Read More »

Motor Oils for Classic and Vintage Cars

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America has from time-to-time encountered motor oils containing high levels of a multifunctional oil additive called zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). This additive contributes anti-wear, anti-oxidation, and corrosion inhibition properties to the oil. ZDDP has been used in motor oil formulations almost universally for decades, and oils with high levels of ZDDP are often promoted as being better suited for engines in older cars with “flat-tappet” lifters.

Read More »

DuraMAX, Lubir Edge, Super S SuperSyn

Samples of the following two brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories. Click bottles for full report

Read More »

Havoline, Spectrol, and Mobil Super Motor Oils

The results of the tests conducted on the samples of Havoline, Mobil Super, and Spectrol show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Licensed GM dexos®1 Gen 2 brands

General Motors recommends the use of dexos™ approved engine oils for global factory and service fill in spark ignited and diesel engines. Importantly, the brands with dexos approved licenses varies over time. GM’s list of Licensed dexos® brands is available online and updated quarterly, with the most recent update on December 16, 2020.

Read More »

Test Results – O’Reilly, UltraLub, and Unival

The results of the tests conducted on the samples of O’Reilly, UltraLub, and Unival show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Above and Below Average

As seen by the differences in the API SN and SN PLUS samples examined by PQIA, the average of the SN PLUS formulations shows lower calcium and higher magnesium levels than API SN. The same can be seen with the new API SP Service Category, and for the same reason; to protect engines from potentially severe damage due to LSPI.

Read More »

Test Results – Chevron Supreme and ACE

Samples of Chevron Supreme SAE 10W-40 and ACE SAE 5W-20 were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

Dr. Scott McQueen Joins PQIA Advisory Board

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott McQueen, Manager of Lubricants Research & Product Management for Phillips 66, has replaced recently retired Reginald “Reggie” Dias on the PQIA Advisory Board.

Read More »

Buying Motor Oil Online

While this is a very efficient and easy way to shop, the Petroleum Quality Institute of America advises consumers to take the time to look for the specifications the product meets when buying motor oil online. If not shown on the first screen, click or scroll for more details before adding motor oil to your cart.

Read More »

Modern Muscle, and Majestic 5W-30

Samples of the following two brands of motor oils were recently examined by PQIA. The results of the tests conducted on the samples show the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product labels, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.

Read More »

PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Q Motor Oils recently tested

PQIA issues Consumer Alerts on the Q brand “10•30” and “10•40” motor oils recently purchased at a convenience store in Florence Kentucky. Based on the results of the samples tested, use of these products in virtually all automobile engines on the road today could cause harm to the engine.

Read More »

Irvin Warren – Tribute

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is saddened to announce the passing of PQIA’s founding Advisory Board member, Mr. Irvin Warren William Irvin Warren June 1, 1942 – December 1, 2020  The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is saddened to announce the passing of PQIA’s founding Advisory Board member, Mr. Irvin Warren.  Mr. Warren of Dunn, North Carolina,

Read More »

Featured Articles

Resources

AAA  –   American Automobile Association 

ACC –  American Chemistry Council

ACEA  –  European Automobile Manufacturers Association

AFPM  –  American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

American Trucking Association

AOCA  –  Automotive Oil Change Association 

API – American Petroleum Institute

ASA – The Automotive Service Association

ASTM International

ATIEL – Association Technique de l’Industrie Européenne des Lubrifiants (ATIEL)

Auto Alliance

Auto Care Association 

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 Institute of Materials

The World Refining Association

UEIL  –  Union Indépendante de l’Industrie Européenne des Lubrifiants

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. 

Additive Manufacturers

Afton Chemical

Infineum

Lubrizol

Oronite

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