The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is an independent resource for information and insights on the quality and performance of lubricants in the marketplace. Our mission is to serve the consumer of lubricants by reporting on the quality and integrity of lubricants in the marketplace.

What makes PQIA different?

We serve the lubricant consumer rather than oil company members or sponsors.
We conduct random lubricant sampling.
We have all samples analyzed by an independent laboratory.
All data from testing of branded lubricants are made public.

PQIA IN ACTION...

PQIA Applauds Pinnacle Oil for its Prompt Corrective Actions

In our newsletter of August 3rd we reported on several motor oils that tested outside of API specifications. One of these oils was manufactured by Pinnacle Oil in Indianapolis, Indiana. Whereas this oil was within specifications on 29 of the 30 dimensions examined, its NOACK volatility exceeded API's limits. Following publication of the PQIA newsletter, Pinnacle contacted PQIA in an effort to investigate and resolve the issue.

Pinnacle's investigation confirmed PQIA's findings, and they took immediate steps to sure up their rigorous quality assurance standards in an effort to prevent any reoccurrences.

In a letter to PQIA, Pinnacle's President Kent Morris wrote; "Pinnacle Oil is taking this issue very seriously. We are committed to keeping our quality system updated and transparent to our customers and the API." Kent went on to say: "Our organization has worked hard to determine the root cause of this minor non-conformance, and perhaps, more importantly, we have focused on how we can learn from this mistake to ensure that all of our future products are always within API specifications..."

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is very pleased with Pinnacle's quick, positive and professional response to our findings, and we applaud their actions to ensure that this issue is being addressed. It is this sort of open communication and cooperation that leads to rapid improvements in lubricant quality, thus supporting PQIA's mission to serve the interests of the lubricant consumer.

To read Pinnacle's entire letter to PQIA, click here

Are these products API Licensed?

Two brands recently sampled by the Petroleum Quality Institute of America have labels that do not appear to properly display the API logo. We contacted API, and they consider both products to be unlicensed.

Click here for more on these brands and API's comments.

Test Results from Southern Tour in June 2010

PQIA issues Advisories on engine oil samples tested in June, 2010.

ALERT: Test results find three of the six samples of engine oils PQIA purchased in the the Mid-Atlantic States fail to meet their labeled API/ILSAC specifications. In addition, one of the brands labeled SA "5-30" is not an API SA, SAE 5W-30. Instead, it more closely resembles a heavy duty engine oil and is clearly not an SAE 5W-30.

Click bottles for test data on the 5W-30s that passed and those that didn't. And click link below for the one 10W-30 tested.

5W-30s

10W-30

TEST RESULTS FOR PRIVATE LABEL BRANDS

Test Results for Private Label Look Good - BUT, ALARMS ARE TRIPPED FOR ONE

Ten brands of Private Label^-a PCEO in quart bottles were purchased by PQIA at retail outlets. Blind samples were prepared by PQIA and sent to Intertek Automotive Research in San Antonio, Texas for chemical and physical analysis.

The samples include both 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosity grades. The variations in grades is a function of the random sampling process and the fact that some locations sampled did not have 5W-30 engine oil available.

ALERT: All but one of the private label samples tested show data indicative of what one would expect to see for an API SM GF-4 engine oil. One brand (PittPenn), however, gives serious cause for concern. Click here for alert.

TEST RESULTS FOR THE MAJOR BRANDS

The Data are in: The Majors Look Good

In an effort to assess where the bar is set for passenger car engine oil (PCEO), the Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) made the decision to test 10 brands of PCEO produced by major oil companies. The results are in and the major brands tested look good.

Ten brands of PCEO in quart bottles were purchased by PQIA at retail outlets in New Jersey. Blind samples were prepared by PQIA and sent to Intertek Automotive Research in San Antonio, Texas for chemical and physical analysis.

Click to see data table.

RESULTS FOR ALL PRODUCTS TESTED

Click here for data on all samples tested.

IN THE NEWS

G.H. Berlin Signs on as PQIA's first Distributor Sponsor

August 12, 2010 - The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to welcome G.H. Berlin Oil Company, as its first lubricant distributor sponsor.

Dave Waltz, President of G.H. Berlin Oil Company, a leading lubricant distributor in the North East says, "We support the activities of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America for two primary reasons. The first is that PQIA is clearly working in the best interest of lubricant buyers and consumers (our customers) to weed out low quality, off-spec lubricants in the marketplace. These efforts are aligned with ours because when we say we deliver quality, we mean it."

Secondly, Waltz says, "PQIA's efforts will help level the playing field." In Waltz's view, this is a particularly important issue since "the number of questionable lubricants in the marketplace appears to have increased significantly over the past five years, and there is little being done about it." As a result, "It is challenging for suppliers of quality lubricants to compete and we believe PQIA will help change this," says Waltz.

PQIA Takes up the Issue of Line Wash Misuse and Proposes a Solutions

The misapplication of line wash in certified motor oils has been an ongoing issue for many years. While many industry organizations and participants have expressed concern and taken actions to curb such abuse, the problem apparently persists. PQIA's question is , Can more be done to assure the certified products on the shelves at retail stores, in the bulk tanks at quick lubes, new car dealers, and other installers do not contain line wash?

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) believes the answer is YES, and the solution is relatively easy. Click here to read about it in PQIA's Newsletter

CITGO Petroleum Signs on as a Platinum Sponsor of PQIA

April 8, 2010 - The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) announced today that CITGO Petroleum signed on as Platinum Sponsor. Along with CITGO's commitment as a Platinum Sponsor of PQIA, David Kunkel, Manager - Marketing and Product Management for CITGO Petroleum, told PQIA "All of us have a stake in helping to ensure the continued consistent quality of finished lubricants in the marketplace. We appreciate your efforts in coming forward and leading this initiative."

CAM2 Petroleum is Now a Platinum Sponsor of PQIA

April 8, 2010 - The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) announced today that CAM2 signed on as Platinum Sponsor. Garry Rooney, Senior VP, Special Projects and Opportunity Development with CAM2 says "We are excited to work with the PQIA organization in its attempt to bring integrity, clarity, and sanity to the lubricants marketplace."

Are You Harming Your Expensive Ride With Engine Oil Made for Cars Built in the 1930s? Metuchen, NJ – March 11, 2010 – The Petroleum Quality Institute of America takes action to help consumers sort out the good from the bad in engine oils.

Warren Oil Signs on as Platinum Sponsor of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America Metuchen, NJ – February 23, 2010 - The Petroleum Quality Institute of America announced today that Warren Oil has become its first lubricant manufacturer sponsor.

Articles of Interest and Links

Engine Oil Labels 101

Yes, there is a problem with poor quality, off-spec lubricants - JobbersWorld

Are 4% of "Good" Oils Bad?

The API Service Classifications

What's currently done to assure the quality of lubricants?

Honesty...One Gallon at a Time (National Oil & Lube News)

The Games People Play with Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

API EOLCS Licensee Directory

What makes PQIA different?

We serve the lubricant consumer rather than oil company members or sponsors.
We conduct random lubricant sampling.
We have all samples analyzed by an independent laboratory.
All data from testing of branded lubricants are made public.

PQIA is able to realize its goal in part through the generous support of its sponsors. While PQIA accepts funding from industry sponsors, our testing and reporting is completely independent and our results are published without influence from sponsors.