Testing zMAX

Challenged. Tested. Proven.

In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission challenged seven performance claims made by zMAX in its infomercial advertising. Rather than settle, Oil-Chem Research Corp. commissioned a series of independent laboratory tests using accepted SAE and ASTM protocols to validate every claim. The results speak for themselves.

Fuel Economy

Two independent labs conducted three separate SAE J1321 fuel economy tests in 2000 and 2001. All three showed that zMAX improves gas mileage - by an average of over 5%, with some vehicles seeing up to a 13% improvement.

Protocol: SAE J1321 - measures fuel economy changes in in-service vehicles.

Soaks Into Metal

In fall 2000, an independent lab conducted an Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) test - a procedure that measures the penetration of a material into a metal subsurface at the molecular level. The test confirmed that zMAX is absorbed into engine metal, validating the core claim of the Micro-lubricant technology.

Protocol: Auger Electron Spectroscopy - measures material penetration into metal subsurface.

Restores Power and Improves Performance

The 1997 modified CRC L-38 test showed an 8.3% increase in horsepower. The 1994 Claude Travis J1321 test showed an 11.2% increase in horsepower.

Protocol: Modified CRC L-38 - measures bearing, cylinder, piston and valve guide wear; horsepower; piston deposits; oil deterioration.

Reduces Wear, Friction and Engine Deposits

A battery of four independent tests demonstrated that zMAX lowers the coefficient of friction on oil-lubricated moving components:

  • ASTM D4172 (Four Ball - Prevention of Wear)
  • ASTM D5183 (Four Ball - Coefficient of Friction)
  • ASTM G99 (Pin-on-Disc Method)
  • Progressive Step-Load Procedure

The 2001 TEOST MHT-4 (Thermo-oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test) showed a significant reduction in carbon deposits - directly reducing wear on piston rings and valve stems. The 1997 modified CRC L-38 independently confirmed reduced wear.

Prevents Blowby and Reduces Carbon Formation

The 2001 TEOST test showed a significant reduction of carbon deposits. The 1997 modified CRC L-38 test showed that zMAX reduces blowby, exhaust valve deposits, and carbon buildup on valve stems. Reduced carbon deposits directly correlate with reduced blowby.

Reduces Emissions

In summer 2001, an independent lab conducted an FTP 75 emissions test - the EPA's standard procedure for measuring vehicle emissions under city and suburban driving conditions. The results showed substantial reductions in all three major tailpipe pollutants:

  • HC - Hydrocarbons reduced
  • CO - Carbon Monoxide reduced
  • NOx - Oxides of Nitrogen reduced

The test narrative stated: "Each of these constituents are a concern of the EPA and their contribution to air pollution. Therefore, a reduction in any one should be considered an important event. This reduction of multiple exhaust constituents is particularly noteworthy."

Protects Vital Engine Parts

The combined results of the AES test (soaks into metal), TEOST (reduces carbon formation), and four-ball friction tests (lowers coefficient of friction) collectively demonstrate that zMAX protects vital engine parts through three simultaneous mechanisms: penetrating metal surfaces, reducing friction, and dispersing carbon deposits.

About the Testing Protocols

All tests were conducted by independent third-party laboratories using accepted SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) protocols. Where industry standard tests required modification to accommodate zMAX's soak-in period - the time required for the product to penetrate metal surfaces before maximum benefit is achieved - modifications were limited strictly to including that soak-in period. No other protocol adjustments were made.

Full list of protocols used ▼
  • SAE J1321 - Fuel economy changes in in-service vehicles
  • Auger Electron Spectroscopy - Material penetration into metal subsurface
  • Modified CRC L-38 - Bearing/cylinder/piston wear, horsepower, oil deterioration
  • ASTM D4172 - Anti-wear properties (Four Ball method)
  • ASTM D5183 - Coefficient of friction (Four Ball method)
  • ASTM G99 - Coefficient of friction (Pin on Disc)
  • ASTM D2714 - Friction and wear (Block on Ring)
  • ASTM D1748 - Rust prevention and metal preservation
  • TEOST MHT-4 - Piston and ring area deposits in modern engines
  • FTP 75 - Vehicle emissions under city and suburban driving
  • BAR 90 - In-use emissions for air quality compliance
  • ASTM D5620 - Thin film lubricant evaluation (dry start simulation)