What Is zMAX?
zMAX Micro-lubricant® is a lubricant treatment designed to reach areas conventional oil and fuel additives can’t. Rather than simply changing the properties of the fluid it’s added to, zMAX uses that fluid as a carrier, allowing the formula to penetrate metal surfaces and help reduce carbon buildup, friction, and wear.
zMAX is manufactured and bottled at our facility in Harrisburg, North Carolina, where more than 52,000 gallons of product are shipped each year.
See how zMAX is made in North Carolina.
How It Works
Combustion creates carbon and other deposits throughout the engine and fuel system. As those deposits accumulate on internal components, they can contribute to friction, wear, blow-by, loss of compression, increased oil consumption, reduced fuel economy, and higher emissions.
Unlike additives that primarily alter the fluid they're added to, zMAX uses engine oil, fuel, or transmission fluid as a carrier to reach internal components. The micro-lubricant penetrates metal surfaces and remains available between moving parts, helping reduce friction, wear, and deposit buildup. Testing has demonstrated benefits including:
- Improved performance and horsepower
- Reduced wear on vital engine parts
- Reduced emissions
- Improved or maintained fuel mileage
Use every 6 months or 6,000 miles in your engine oil and fuel, and after each transmission fluid change. zMAX works in gasoline and diesel engines, automatic and manual transmissions, and the same micro-lubricant technology is also used in firearms, small engines, and aircraft.
Testing & Proof
zMAX has been tested for more than 50 years using laboratory, consumer, and independent testing. Testing has examined metal penetration, friction and wear, deposits, horsepower, fuel economy, and emissions using recognized SAE, ASTM, CRC, and other industry test procedures.
View full list of test protocols
- SAE J1321 - fuel economy changes in in-service vehicles
- Auger Electron Spectroscopy - penetration of material into metal subsurface
- Modified CRC L-38 - bearing, cylinder, piston and valve guide wear; horsepower; piston deposits; oil deterioration
- ASTM D4172 (Four Ball - Wear Prevention) - anti-wear properties
- ASTM D5182 (Four Ball - Coefficient of Friction) - friction coefficient
- ASTM G99 (Pin on Disc) - friction coefficient
- ASTM D2174 (Block on Ring) - friction coefficient
- ASTM D1748 - rust preventive properties
- Modified Sequence VIII - wear, horsepower, deposits, fuel efficiency
- 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 control
History
The origins of zMAX date back to the 1930s, when Indianapolis race engineer Joe Lencki was looking for a way to reduce scuffing and wear during engine start-up. In 1936, he developed what he called the "Speedway Cocktail," an early version of the micro-lubricant technology that would eventually become zMAX. The formula went on to be used by racers including George Bignotti, Tony Bettenhausen, and Johnny Parsons Sr.
During World War II, Lencki supervised the construction of aircraft engines for B-29 bombers in Chicago and continued refining the formula. By 1947, it had entered the professional mechanics' market. The Linkite formulation used in zMAX later became the first pure lubricant approved by the FAA for use in piston-engine aircraft and is known today as AVBLEND.
zMAX later became associated with Carroll Shelby, whose production vehicles used zMAX before leaving the factory.
What Customers Say
"I've built over 100 different kinds of cars - Shelby Cobra, Shelby Mustang, the Viper. We're putting zMAX in each and every one that leaves the factory. I've got my reputation to protect and I wouldn't recommend zMAX unless I knew it worked."Carroll Shelby, Automotive Hall of Fame
"My van now has 304,000 miles. I've used zMAX Engine Treatment faithfully with every oil change since 1996. Great investment."S. Brown, CA
"There was no wear whatsoever on the engine cylinders - none. At 325,000 miles I could still see the factory cross-hatch from the cylinder hone. Simply amazing."J. Aiken
"Instantly the lifter tick went away and the engine idles extremely steady and smooth, with zero noise. I will forever use this product in all my vehicles at every oil change."M. Bohn, NJ - 2007 Jeep Wrangler, 107k miles
Heavy-Duty & Fleet Applications
The same zMAX technology is used in commercial engines and heavy-duty equipment, including locomotive applications. For fleet use, bulk quantities, testing information, and commercial applications, visit our Heavy Duty collection or contact our team.
For bulk quantities and fleet applications, contact Dan Hart at 847-809-1405 or info@zmax.com.