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.
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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>>
PQIA takes a look at AmazonBasics motor oil and three more brands
A look at AmazonBasics Motor Oil Amazon added its own line of private label passenger car motor oil to the Amazon marketplace on July 23, 2018. The products are sold under the Amazon trademark, “AmazonBasics,” and although it initially entered the market with little fanfare, the brand recently received a good deal of ink in
Class Action Suit filed Against Amalie AOC, LTD. For Its Marketing and Sale of Obsolete Motor Oil in Florida
Class Action Suit filed Against Amalie AOC, LTD. For Its Marketing and Sale of Obsolete Motor Oil in Florida Kanner & Whiteley, along with its co-counsel, have filed a class action lawsuit against Amalie AOC, LTD. At issue is Amalie’s XCEL Premium Motor Oil. The product is rated API SA, a motor oil service category
Five ATFs Examined – PQIA Issues an Advisory one, and Shines a Light on Exemplary Labeling for Another
Five ATFs Examined – PQIA Issues one Advisory The PQIA recently examined four automatic transmission fluids (ATF) labeled to meet the requirements for DEXRON®-III/MERCON® specifications and one ATF labeled to meet the DEXRON®-III specification. Although the results of the tests conducted on samples of four brands are consistent with their labeled claims, PQIA issues an
Three SAE 10W-30s tested – No issues
The PQIA recently purchased three brands of SAE 10W-30 motor oils in the south, and the results of the tests conducted on the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories. Although SAE 10W-30 accounts for only about
Results for a Fourth Group of 15W-40s are in
The results are in on four more heavy duty diesel engine oils, and the tests conducted on the samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for
Mining the Minds in the Lubricants Industry
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America receives emails and phone calls nearly every day from consumers, marketers, blenders, and a number of others with questions about lubricant quality, performance, and other lubricant related issues on their minds. Whereas PQIA makes every effort to answer these questions, we take a pass on some because they are
Results in on More CK-4 HDEOs, Mining the Minds
Results for a Third Group of CK-4s are in In addition to PQIA’s ongoing effort to provide consumers with information about the quality of lubricants in the market, we present our readers with information and insights about trends and changes in the industry that can sometimes be seen in the data from the samples PQIA
Results for a Second Group of CK-4 HDEO – No Issues
Results for a Second Group of CK-4s are in In addition to PQIA’s ongoing effort to provide consumers with information about the quality of lubricants in the market, we present our readers with information and insights about trends and changes in the industry that can sometimes be seen in the data from the samples PQIA
Playing Roulette with 303 Yellow Buckets
There has been a significant amount of talk about “303” tractor hydraulic fluid (THF) over the past year, and for good reason. This is because although THFs labeled as 303 have commonly been seen in the market for decades, and for some considered the product of choice due to price, three states (including Missouri, Georgia, and most recently North Carolina), have issued stop-sale orders for tractor hydraulic fluid labeled, claimed or implied as meeting THF 303.
RPP Products Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts
RPP Products Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Market The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce RPP Products, Inc. has signed on to join PQIA’s growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers and other supporters working to help assure the
North Carolina Issues Stop-Sale Order on J303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
North Carolina Is Now The Third State to Issue a Stop-Sale Order On “303” Tractor Hydraulic Fluid The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) issued a stop-sale order for tractor hydraulic fluid (THF) products labeled, claimed or implied as meeting THF 303, which has no known specifications available. For those unfamiliar with
Pinnacle Addresses Labeling Issue
Pinnacle Addresses Labeling Issue The PQIA is pleased to report that Pinnacle Oil Holdings is Taking Swift and Decisive Action to address an ATF labeling issue. In Monday’s publication of PQIA News, we reported on three samples of ATF PQIA examined that had issues. One of the products of concern was Thorntons Premium Multi-Purpose ATF.
RelaDyne Takes Swift Action
RelaDyne Takes Swift Action The PQIA is pleased to report that RelaDyne has Taken Swift Action to address its ATF labeling issue. The PQIA encourages all lubricant manufacturers and marketers to do the same when issues arise. In yesterday’s publication of PQIA News, we reported on seven ATF samples, of which four had no issues and three did.
PQIA reports on seven samples of ATFs; three have issues
Seven ATF Examined; three have issues The Petroleum Quality Institute of America reports on seven brands of ATFs. Although the results of tests conducted on samples of four of the brands are consistent with their labeled claims, PQIA found issues with three. Samples with issues Note: PQIA has been advised by both RelaDyne and Pinnacle
PQIA reports on seven samples of motor oil, and two antifreeze/coolants
Motor Oil Samples The Petroleum Quality Institute of America reports on three brands of SAE 5W-20, two brands of SAE 5W-30, and two brands of SAE 10W-30 motor oil recently tested. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the products shown below meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE viscosity grade listed
Shell Claims a Sample of Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 CK-4 Doesn’t Meet Spec
by Thomas F. Glenn The Petroleum Quality Institute of America received a number of phone calls and emails recently with questions, comments, and opinions about the claim Shell is publicly making that through its testing, Shell “discovered that a sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 not only failed the requirements of API CK-4, but
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Two ATFs
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Two ATFs The Petroleum Quality Institute of America recently issued Consumer Alerts for Mileage 365 and Q Motor Oil brands (see list below). In addition to finding serious deficiencies and contamination in the samples tested that could result in harm to an engine, the labels on the products do not
Motor Oil Specifications – The Process of Change
by Thomas F. Glenn The PQIA has recently fielded many questions about the new API SN Plus Service Category and although some are technical, many others we received are more general and look to understand why specifications change and how the new specifications come about. The short answer why they change can be summed up by
Consumer Alerts Issued on Five Motor Oils
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) continues to observe two brands of motor oils in the market that consumers should watch out for and steer clear of. The brands are: Mileage 365 Q Motor Oil The result of the tests conducted on samples of these brands show products that can cause harm to virtually any
Results in on Three 5W-20s and Three 5W-30s
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America tested three brands of SAE 5W-20 and three brands of SAE 5W-30 motor oil. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the brands 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 takes a look at AmazonBasics motor oil and three more brands
A look at AmazonBasics Motor Oil Amazon added its own line of private label passenger car motor oil to the Amazon marketplace on July 23, 2018. The products are sold under the Amazon trademark, “AmazonBasics,” and although it initially entered the market with little fanfare, the brand recently received a good deal of ink in
Class Action Suit filed Against Amalie AOC, LTD. For Its Marketing and Sale of Obsolete Motor Oil in Florida
Class Action Suit filed Against Amalie AOC, LTD. For Its Marketing and Sale of Obsolete Motor Oil in Florida Kanner & Whiteley, along with its co-counsel, have filed a class action lawsuit against Amalie AOC, LTD. At issue is Amalie’s XCEL Premium Motor Oil. The product is rated API SA, a motor oil service category
Five ATFs Examined – PQIA Issues an Advisory one, and Shines a Light on Exemplary Labeling for Another
Five ATFs Examined – PQIA Issues one Advisory The PQIA recently examined four automatic transmission fluids (ATF) labeled to meet the requirements for DEXRON®-III/MERCON® specifications and one ATF labeled to meet the DEXRON®-III specification. Although the results of the tests conducted on samples of four brands are consistent with their labeled claims, PQIA issues an
Three SAE 10W-30s tested – No issues
The PQIA recently purchased three brands of SAE 10W-30 motor oils in the south, and the results of the tests conducted on the products meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories. Although SAE 10W-30 accounts for only about
Results for a Fourth Group of 15W-40s are in
The results are in on four more heavy duty diesel engine oils, and the tests conducted on the samples meet the SAE J300 specifications for
Mining the Minds in the Lubricants Industry
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America receives emails and phone calls nearly every day from consumers, marketers, blenders, and a number of others with questions about lubricant quality, performance, and other lubricant related issues on their minds. Whereas PQIA makes every effort to answer these questions, we take a pass on some because they are
Results in on More CK-4 HDEOs, Mining the Minds
Results for a Third Group of CK-4s are in In addition to PQIA’s ongoing effort to provide consumers with information about the quality of lubricants in the market, we present our readers with information and insights about trends and changes in the industry that can sometimes be seen in the data from the samples PQIA
Results for a Second Group of CK-4 HDEO – No Issues
Results for a Second Group of CK-4s are in In addition to PQIA’s ongoing effort to provide consumers with information about the quality of lubricants in the market, we present our readers with information and insights about trends and changes in the industry that can sometimes be seen in the data from the samples PQIA
Playing Roulette with 303 Yellow Buckets
There has been a significant amount of talk about “303” tractor hydraulic fluid (THF) over the past year, and for good reason. This is because although THFs labeled as 303 have commonly been seen in the market for decades, and for some considered the product of choice due to price, three states (including Missouri, Georgia, and most recently North Carolina), have issued stop-sale orders for tractor hydraulic fluid labeled, claimed or implied as meeting THF 303.
RPP Products Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts
RPP Products Joins to Support PQIA’s Efforts to Help Assure the Quality and Integrity of Lubricants in the Market The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to announce RPP Products, Inc. has signed on to join PQIA’s growing list of lubricant manufacturers, marketers, additive suppliers and other supporters working to help assure the
North Carolina Issues Stop-Sale Order on J303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
North Carolina Is Now The Third State to Issue a Stop-Sale Order On “303” Tractor Hydraulic Fluid The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) issued a stop-sale order for tractor hydraulic fluid (THF) products labeled, claimed or implied as meeting THF 303, which has no known specifications available. For those unfamiliar with
Pinnacle Addresses Labeling Issue
Pinnacle Addresses Labeling Issue The PQIA is pleased to report that Pinnacle Oil Holdings is Taking Swift and Decisive Action to address an ATF labeling issue. In Monday’s publication of PQIA News, we reported on three samples of ATF PQIA examined that had issues. One of the products of concern was Thorntons Premium Multi-Purpose ATF.
RelaDyne Takes Swift Action
RelaDyne Takes Swift Action The PQIA is pleased to report that RelaDyne has Taken Swift Action to address its ATF labeling issue. The PQIA encourages all lubricant manufacturers and marketers to do the same when issues arise. In yesterday’s publication of PQIA News, we reported on seven ATF samples, of which four had no issues and three did.
PQIA reports on seven samples of ATFs; three have issues
Seven ATF Examined; three have issues The Petroleum Quality Institute of America reports on seven brands of ATFs. Although the results of tests conducted on samples of four of the brands are consistent with their labeled claims, PQIA found issues with three. Samples with issues Note: PQIA has been advised by both RelaDyne and Pinnacle
PQIA reports on seven samples of motor oil, and two antifreeze/coolants
Motor Oil Samples The Petroleum Quality Institute of America reports on three brands of SAE 5W-20, two brands of SAE 5W-30, and two brands of SAE 10W-30 motor oil recently tested. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the products shown below meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE viscosity grade listed
Shell Claims a Sample of Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 CK-4 Doesn’t Meet Spec
by Thomas F. Glenn The Petroleum Quality Institute of America received a number of phone calls and emails recently with questions, comments, and opinions about the claim Shell is publicly making that through its testing, Shell “discovered that a sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 not only failed the requirements of API CK-4, but
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Two ATFs
PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Two ATFs The Petroleum Quality Institute of America recently issued Consumer Alerts for Mileage 365 and Q Motor Oil brands (see list below). In addition to finding serious deficiencies and contamination in the samples tested that could result in harm to an engine, the labels on the products do not
Motor Oil Specifications – The Process of Change
by Thomas F. Glenn The PQIA has recently fielded many questions about the new API SN Plus Service Category and although some are technical, many others we received are more general and look to understand why specifications change and how the new specifications come about. The short answer why they change can be summed up by
Consumer Alerts Issued on Five Motor Oils
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) continues to observe two brands of motor oils in the market that consumers should watch out for and steer clear of. The brands are: Mileage 365 Q Motor Oil The result of the tests conducted on samples of these brands show products that can cause harm to virtually any
Results in on Three 5W-20s and Three 5W-30s
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America tested three brands of SAE 5W-20 and three brands of SAE 5W-30 motor oil. The results of the tests conducted on samples of the brands meet the SAE J300 specifications for the SAE Viscosity Grade listed on the product label, and are consistent with the listed API Service Categories.
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