In the News

February 24, 2011 - PQIA Issues Consumer Alerts on Two Passenger Car Motor Oils     

 

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America issued Consumer Alerts on two passenger car engine oils today that are currently on the market. The oils are Liberty Gold Plus SMO 5W-30 Motor Oil and Bullseye Automotive Products High Mileage 10W-30 Motor Oil (SC/CC). According to PQIA, these products can cause harm to an automobile engine and void warranties.

Click here for full story

 

November 1, 2010 - Warren Unilube to Pay $650,000 in Civil Settlement With the State of California

 

The investigation did not reveal any evidence of actual harm caused to California consumers by the Warren Unilube violations. Click here for full story.

 

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) is pleased to welcome Tom Schaefer to its Advisory Board. 

 

Tom was employed for 38 years at Hatco Corporation, a global leader in synthetic esters and lubricants (now a division of Chemtura).  During his long career, Tom worked in a broad range of disciplines, including Quality Control, Research & Development, and Sales & Marketing, and was actively involved in laboratory testing, process improvement, lubricant formulation, ester design, and sales.  For his last 16 years Tom served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, with global responsibilities in synthetic lubricants.  Now retired, Tom's knowledge of the business and technology of lubricants, along with his independent perspective, will provide valued guidance to PQIA.

 

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

 

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.

 







 

PQIA Applauds Pinnacle Oil for its Prompt Corrective Actions    

In PQIA's 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. 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. 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. Click here for Pinnacle letter.

 

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.

 

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America is able to serve buyers and consumers of lubricants in part through the generous support of our Supporters . Please contact us at the link below if you too would like to sponsor PQIA's efforts to help assure the quality of lubricants in the marketplace. Request Supporters hip Information