LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Valvoline Global Operations has announced a major technological advancement in automotive engine care with the introduction of Valvoline Restore & Protect™, a motor oil formulated to address one of the most common causes of engine failure. The company says the new oil is the first proven solution capable of freeing stuck piston rings an issue that has historically been difficult to fix without dismantling the engine.
As vehicles remain on the road longer than ever before, maintaining engine health has become increasingly important for drivers worldwide. Over time, engines are exposed to extreme heat and mechanical stress that can cause carbon deposits and other contaminants to accumulate inside critical components. One of the most vulnerable areas is the piston ring system, where hardened deposits can eventually cause rings to stick in place.
When piston rings become stuck, they can no longer perform their essential functions sealing combustion pressure, controlling oil consumption, and transferring heat away from the piston. This condition often results in reduced engine power, increased oil burning, and in severe cases, significant engine damage.
Valvoline’s Restore & Protect™ motor oil is designed to counter this process. Using a specialized formulation, the oil helps dissolve and remove the deposits that cause piston rings to stick, allowing them to regain proper movement and function. According to the company, the product has demonstrated the ability to remove up to 100 percent of piston ring deposits with continued use, thereby restoring engine efficiency and extending engine life.
The development represents a notable shift in how motor oil can contribute to engine maintenance. Traditionally, oils have primarily served as lubricants that reduce friction and protect engine components from wear. With Restore & Protect™, Valvoline aims to expand that role by actively repairing certain forms of engine damage.
“Stuck piston rings have long been considered a point of no return for an engine a problem that could only be fixed by physically disassembling the engine,” said Dr. Michael Warholic, Senior Global Technology Director at Valvoline Global. “By engineering a formula that actively reverses this damage, Restore & Protect is the first engine oil designed to help return piston ring function.”
The product builds on Valvoline’s earlier introduction of Restore & Protect in 2024, when the company initially unveiled the technology as the first motor oil proven to remove piston deposits during continuous use. Since that launch, Valvoline’s research and development teams have conducted extensive laboratory and field testing to better understand the long-term performance benefits of the formula.
Engine testing has included hundreds of thousands of miles of operation under controlled conditions, along with detailed engine teardowns to examine internal components. Much of this validation work has taken place at Valvoline Global’s Propulsion Laboratory in Ashland, Kentucky, where engineers analyze how different formulations perform under real-world operating stresses.
These tests have confirmed the effectiveness of the technology in freeing piston rings and reducing deposit buildup, helping engines maintain optimal performance even after extended mileage.
The innovation has also gained recognition within the automotive industry and among consumers. In 2025, Restore & Protect was named Product of the Year in the Car Care category in the United States, based on a nationwide consumer survey conducted by research firm Kantar. The awards program evaluated responses from more than 40,000 American shoppers and recognizes products considered to be among the most innovative in their categories.
Valvoline’s latest breakthrough reflects the company’s long-standing focus on advancing lubrication technology. Founded more than 160 years ago, the brand introduced the world’s first branded motor oil and has since built a global reputation for innovation in automotive and industrial solutions.
Today, Valvoline Global serves customers in more than 140 countries and operates through a distribution network of over 80,000 points worldwide. Its product portfolio includes specialized lubricants and fluids designed for a wide range of applications from high-mileage passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks to advanced powertrains and electric vehicles.
Beyond conventional automotive products, the company is also expanding into new areas such as thermal management and heat-transfer solutions for high-performance computing systems, reflecting the evolving demands of modern mobility and technology infrastructure.
Valvoline Global operates as part of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies. Through this partnership, the company continues to invest in research and product innovation aimed at improving efficiency, durability, and sustainability across the mobility sector.
With Restore & Protect™, Valvoline is seeking to redefine the role of engine oil in vehicle maintenance. By targeting the root causes of engine degradation rather than simply protecting components from wear the company believes it can help drivers keep their vehicles running longer and more efficiently.
As global vehicle fleets age and drivers look for cost-effective ways to extend the lifespan of their engines, technologies that restore performance without major mechanical repairs may play an increasingly important role in the future of automotive maintenance.
