FAQs

The best oil depends on your engine type, horsepower level, vehicle application and how you drive. PennGrade 1® offers intentionally engineered formulas for classic cars, muscle cars, racing engines, diesel applications, motorcycles and modern performance vehicles. Whether you need high-zinc protection or advanced synthetic performance, there is a PennGrade 1® formula designed for your build. Always consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer-recommended oil specifications and viscosity requirements.

PennGrade 1® Synthetic Blend oils combine premium base oils with performance additives to deliver the trusted heritage protection found in The Original Green Oil®. Full Synthetic formulas are engineered for maximum thermal stability, cold-start performance and protection under extreme heat and load. Both are intentionally designed for performance applications and enthusiast-driven vehicles. Always consult your owner’s manual for recommended oil types and service intervals.

“Choose Oil Intentionally” reflects the belief that oil is more than maintenance; it is a critical part of engine protection, performance and long-term reliability. PennGrade 1® is built for enthusiasts who choose lubricants based on engine demands, driving conditions and performance goals instead of simply grabbing any oil off the shelf. Always consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer-recommended oil requirements.

Yes. The PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils possess a typical 1,500 ppm (parts per million) of zinc and 1,400 ppm of phosphorus.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils do not meet any particular API category.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are unlicensed oils due to their enhanced levels of antiwear, meaning they do not conform to today’s modern API / ILSAC standards.

Today’s modern oils (API SN / SN Plus) are designed with better rust protection and emulsion retention. Phase separation is also critical since E85, an alcohol fuel, is hygroscopic in nature, meaning it has a nasty habit of collecting and holding moisture. The PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils do not conform to modern oil criteria, hence the enhanced levels of anti-wear. Simply put, we did not want to be guided by the amount of zinc and phosphorus we utilized in our performance oils. Use with confidence. The only caution is that the customer should change oil before storing the vehicle for long, idle periods. Never leave used oil, particularly one containing E85, in the engine for several months at a time while static sitting. Customers utilize the PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil and E85 fuel without issue and have done so for many years.

No. All PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils contain a highly effective detergency/dispersant package and anti-foam inhibitor.

The unique cut of Pennsylvania Grade Base Oil utilized in each PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil formulation possesses a natural green hue. With the addition of the additive package, antiwear, dispersants and detergents, this natural green color is enhanced. The PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils have been green for over 60 years.

Consider first three main criteria: actual bearing clearance, anticipated ambient temperature operation and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and/or engine builder recommendation for optimal engine viscosity selection.

Every 3,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. If the vehicle will be stored for long periods, from weeks to months, it is always best to change oil prior to any lengthy storage period. This assures that the engine will sit throughout storage with fresh oil in the block. It is never good to store a vehicle with used oil in the crankcase, as used oil contains harmful internal combustion by-products, including acids, soot, varnish and moisture.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are a very precise balance of additive components that work in harmony to provide the desired lubrication. The introduction of any type of additional additive disrupts this formulation synergy, like adding an extra piece to a puzzle that is already complete. This change in harmony could have a negative effect upon the performance of the oil, not to mention changing its identity. All the desired characteristics an end user requires out of a high-performance / classic engine oil are contained within our PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil. Bottom line: additional aftermarket additives are not needed with PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils. Frankly, if an end user relies on an additive to change some aspect of their oil’s performance, then they are utilizing the wrong oil.

No. The enhanced levels of phosphorus contained in the PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils could be detrimental to the performance of the catalytic converter and O2 sensor. PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are not to be recommended in vehicles manufactured with catalytic converters. Modern oils have been formulated with better emissions in mind, equating to reduced antiwear chemistry to protect and extend the life of catalytic converters.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are recommended by both engine builders and cam manufacturers throughout the United States.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils should not be introduced or mixed with differing products because there is no type of quality control or evaluation placed on the resultant product. This is especially true if the products in question do not contain the same type and amount of additives. In such a case, there is a potential for interaction of the different chemistries and possible loss of performance. Again, there is no quality control under such circumstances, and manufacturers of the PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils would have no control over the nature or performance of the resultant product.

Yes. PennGrade 1® Break-In Oil SAE 30 should be utilized as an engine break-in oil. In relationship to the break-in period, we typically recommend 30-45 minutes on the dyno or 150-200 road-driven miles, followed by a leak-down or compression test to validate ring conformity. As you know, the whole premise of engine break-in is to successfully seat the rings and ensure cam run-in. Failing to do so could result in excessive blow-by and loss of compression throughout the life of the engine.

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are available in both straight weight (monograde) and multigrade (multi-viscosity) options.

If a supply of PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil was stored indoors in a cool, dry environment, preferably elevated and off the floor on pallets, free of excess heat, humidity, light and moisture, and not exposed to wide ambient temperature fluctuations, a typical packaged oil, such as a case or quart, can be expected to have a shelf life of three years.

Yes. Because of their enhanced levels of zinc and phosphorus, the PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are known throughout the high-performance / classic car realm as the “Flat Tappet, Roller Cam Oil.”

PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil is owned and manufactured by D-A Lubricant Company, Inc. / Lebanon, IN.

Yes. PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils are formulated from an older API category platform. We have taken this older chemistry and enhanced the levels of antiwear even more to protect critical valve train components.

Yes. PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils contain ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate).

Yes. PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils were re-introduced in 2001 by American Refining Group, Inc. under the name “Brad Penn®” PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils. In 2015, new owner D-A Lubricant Company, Inc. changed the name of the product to PennGrade 1® High Performance Oil. Brad Penn® and PennGrade 1® are one and the same.