Valvoline
An American automotive maintenance brand best known for quick-lube services and Valvoline-branded lubricants.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Valvoline is an American automotive maintenance and services brand with roots in the petroleum-lubricants business. It traces its origin to 1866, when physician and inventor John Ellis developed a petroleum-based lubricant for steam engines in the emerging oil region of Pennsylvania. The product was initially known as Binghamton Cylinder Oil and was renamed Valvoline in 1868. The name became associated with early automotive lubrication, motorsport, and factory-recommended engine oil, including use in the Ford Model T era. The business changed ownership and corporate structure several times. In 1949, Ashland Inc. acquired the Freedom-Valvoline Company, bringing Valvoline into a larger petroleum and chemicals group. Under Ashland, Valvoline developed into both a consumer lubricant label and an automotive-service operator. Its service activities eventually included Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Valvoline Express Care, and, through acquisition and ownership arrangements, Great Canadian Oil Change. The service network provides oil changes, fluid services, preventive maintenance, batteries, filters, wiper blades, and related light automotive care. Valvoline's service proposition emphasizes convenience, standardized procedures, and maintenance performed without a traditional appointment for many routine services. Ashland separated Valvoline from its other businesses through a public offering in September 2016 and a completed separation in May 2017. Valvoline Inc. thereafter operated as an independent public company. The separation also clarified the distinction between the consumer-facing service company and the broader Valvoline lubricant business. In August 2022, Saudi Aramco announced an agreement to acquire Valvoline's global products business, including the rights and operations associated with Valvoline-branded lubricants outside the service business, for approximately US$2.65 billion. The transaction made Aramco the owner of the lubricant business while Valvoline Inc. continued as an automotive-services company and retained the Valvoline identity for its service operations under the relevant commercial arrangements. In the United States, Valvoline has grown through company-operated and franchised service centers. The business is commonly described as one of the country's largest oil-change providers; reference material for 2023 placed it second by service-provider size, with more than 1,650 locations and approximately 10 percent market share. Its Canadian presence includes Great Canadian Oil Change locations, while other markets use licensing, partnerships, or locally structured operations. The company also maintains a substantial brand-marketing presence through NASCAR, other motorsports, football partnerships, and Formula One and Formula E relationships. Valvoline remains historically important in lubricants but is now primarily positioned as a fast, convenient automotive-maintenance provider. Its brand equity continues to draw on technical lubrication heritage, racing visibility, and the long-standing Valvoline name, while its operating model focuses on recurring vehicle maintenance and expansion of quick-service locations. Because the lubricant business was sold to Saudi Aramco, references to Valvoline products and references to Valvoline Inc.'s current service operations should be distinguished rather than treated as a single fully integrated lubricant manufacturer.
History
Valvoline's history began in the 1860s, when John Ellis traveled to Titusville, Pennsylvania, to investigate petroleum as a possible medical substance. His experiments instead demonstrated that refined petroleum could serve as an effective lubricant for machinery. In 1866, Ellis worked with a relative by marriage who operated a refinery in Binghamton, New York, to establish the Continuous Oil Refining Company. The enterprise made lubricants for steam engines and other industrial equipment. Ellis first marketed the principal product as Binghamton Cylinder Oil before adopting the shorter Valvoline name in 1868. The company moved its operations to Brooklyn in 1869 and later operated under the Ellis & Leonard name after Ellis joined with his son and son-in-law. Valvoline received recognition at the 1878 Paris Exhibition, helping establish an early reputation for technical quality. By the 1890s, the product had become associated with racing automobiles, and during the early twentieth century it was promoted as a recommended motor oil for the Ford Model T. These developments connected the brand to both industrial engineering and the emerging mass automobile market. Corporate ownership changed in the middle of the twentieth century. In 1949, Ashland Inc. acquired the Freedom-Valvoline Company. Ashland subsequently developed Valvoline as a consumer lubricants brand while also building a retail automotive-service business. Valvoline Instant Oil Change became the best-known service format, offering rapid oil changes and routine maintenance. Additional service concepts and acquisitions broadened the network, including Valvoline Express Care and Great Canadian Oil Change. The Valvoline business became increasingly significant within Ashland. By 2016, the Valvoline subsidiary represented a substantial share of Ashland's revenue. Ashland initiated the separation through an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on September 22, 2016. The separation was completed on May 5, 2017, creating Valvoline Inc. as an independent public company. The independent company combined a well-known consumer name with a growing network of quick-lube and light-maintenance centers. A major strategic division followed in 2022. Saudi Aramco announced the acquisition of Valvoline's global products business for approximately US$2.65 billion. The transaction separated the international lubricant-products operations from Valvoline Inc.'s automotive-services business. As a result, the Valvoline name can refer to the continuing service company and, through ownership or licensing arrangements, to lubricant products associated with the acquired products business. This distinction is important when describing the company's present scope. Valvoline's modern service model is centered on recurring vehicle maintenance. Centers commonly provide oil changes, fluid checks and replacements, filters, batteries, wiper blades, and other light services. The company has also used franchising and acquisitions to expand in North America. Reference material for 2023 characterized Valvoline as the second-largest oil-change service provider in the United States, with more than 1,650 locations and approximately 10 percent market share. Brand promotion has consistently relied on technical credibility and motorsports. Valvoline has sponsored NASCAR since 1981, including long-running relationships with drivers and teams such as Mark Martin and Roush Racing. It has also supported Indy-car and stock-car activities, racing events in Australia, football sponsorships, and recent Formula One and Formula E partnerships. These activities reinforce the brand's association with performance and engine care, while the company's commercial center of gravity is quick, standardized automotive maintenance.
- 2022
Aramco agrees to buy the lubricant-products business
[1]Saudi Aramco announces an agreement to acquire Valvoline's global products business, separating it from the automotive-services company.
- 2017
Valvoline becomes independent
[1]Ashland completes the separation of Valvoline into an independent public company.
- 2016
Valvoline launches its initial public offering
[1]Valvoline completes an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange ahead of its separation from Ashland.
- 1981
NASCAR sponsorship begins
[1]Valvoline begins a long-running presence in NASCAR sponsorship.
- 1949
Ashland acquires Freedom-Valvoline
[1]Ashland Inc. purchases the Freedom-Valvoline Company.
- 1878
Recognition at the Paris Exhibition
[1]Valvoline receives commendations at the Paris Exhibition, adding international recognition to its early lubricant business.
- 1868
The Valvoline name is adopted
[1]Binghamton Cylinder Oil is renamed Valvoline.
- 1866
Continuous Oil Refining Company is founded
[1]John Ellis and a refinery partner establish a business producing petroleum lubricant for steam engines and industrial machinery.
Products and positioning
A convenience-led automotive maintenance brand combining quick-lube service centers, preventive vehicle care, technical lubrication heritage, and highly visible motorsports partnerships.
Automotive maintenance services
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Valvoline Instant Oil Change is the brand's principal quick-service format. Locations perform routine oil and filter changes, fluid checks, battery and filter services, wiper replacement, and other light preventive-maintenance work. The format is designed around speed and convenience, frequently allowing customers to receive service without a traditional repair-shop appointment.
Automotive maintenance services
Valvoline Express Care
Valvoline Express Care is a related service-center concept providing oil changes and selected preventive-maintenance and light-repair services. It extends the Valvoline retail footprint beyond the core Instant Oil Change format and supports the company's multi-format operating and franchising strategy.
Automotive maintenance services
Great Canadian Oil Change
Great Canadian Oil Change is a Canadian quick-lube chain owned or operated within Valvoline's automotive-services portfolio. Its locations focus on rapid oil changes and related routine vehicle maintenance, giving Valvoline a recognizable service presence in Canada.
Lubricants and automotive fluids · 1866
Valvoline-branded lubricants
The Valvoline name has historically been used on engine oils, additives, coolants, antifreeze, and other automotive lubricants. Following the 2022 agreement with Saudi Aramco, the global products business became separate from Valvoline Inc.'s automotive-services operations. Product ownership, licensing, and market arrangements therefore vary by geography and should not automatically be attributed to the service company.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Aston Martin Formula One partnership
International
Valvoline entered an Aston Martin Formula One partnership as an extension of the team's relationship with Aramco. The reference material also described a planned lubricant-supply role from the 2026 season.
Outcome. Linked the brand to a global motorsport platform and to its post-transaction relationship with Aramco.
- 2020Sevilla FC global partnership
Spain · International
Valvoline became a global partner of Sevilla FC, with its logo appearing on match-kit sleeves.
Outcome. Extended brand visibility into European football.
- 2014Hendrick Motorsports partnership
United States
Valvoline reunited with Hendrick Motorsports and continued sponsorship activity involving Hendrick drivers, including Kyle Larson and William Byron in the current reference period.
Outcome. Maintained high-visibility NASCAR exposure through a leading team.
- 1992Roush Racing and Mark Martin partnership
United States
Valvoline began a prominent relationship with Roush Racing and driver Mark Martin. The reference material attributes 27 wins to the combination.
Outcome. Created one of the brand's most recognizable NASCAR associations.
- 1981NASCAR sponsorship program
United States
Valvoline began NASCAR sponsorship in 1981 and subsequently supported drivers, teams, and vehicles across multiple eras, including relationships with Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Mark Martin, Johnny Benson, Scott Riggs, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, and others.
Outcome. Established a durable performance-oriented association between the brand and American stock-car racing.
Brand decisions
2022
Sale of the global products business to Saudi AramcoM&ABackground
Valvoline sought to separate its lubricant-products activities from its automotive-services operations.
Action taken
Saudi Aramco announced an agreement to acquire the global products business for approximately US$2.65 billion.
Aftermath
Valvoline Inc. continued as an automotive-services company, while the acquired lubricant business became part of Aramco's products operations.
Transaction value. US$2.65 billion (Announced August 1, 2022)
2016
Ashland initiates Valvoline separationStrategyBackground
Valvoline had become a major contributor to Ashland's business, and Ashland pursued a separate public-company structure for the brand and its operations.
Action taken
Valvoline completed an initial public offering in September 2016 before the full corporate separation.
Aftermath
The separation was completed in May 2017, making Valvoline Inc. an independent public company.
Recent events
Reported
Valvoline receives Cummins supplier recognition award[3]
Valvoline received Cummins' 2021 Global Supplier Recognition Award in the category of Global Best Safety Practices, indirect sourcing.
Reported
Valvoline launches Gensets Ka 1-2-3 digital campaign[4]
Valvoline Cummins Pvt Ltd launched the Gensets Ka 1-2-3 digital campaign to encourage consumers to regularly service their gensets.
Reported
Valvoline launches High Mileage 150k motor oil[5]
Valvoline announced the launch of High Mileage 150k with MaxLife Plus Technology Synthetic Blend, an engine oil designed for engines with over 150,000 miles.
Reported
Valvoline launches Full Synthetic Extended Protection[6]
Valvoline announced the launch of Full Synthetic Extended Protection, a premium motor oil featuring Dual Defense Additive Technology.
Reported
Sunrisers Hyderabad unveils sponsors for IPL 13[7]
Sunrisers Hyderabad unveiled sponsors for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. JK Lakshmi Cement was identified as title sponsor, with Ralco Tyres and Valvoline also named as principal sponsors; several other brands were announced as partners.
Reported
Valvoline launches Premium Blue One Solution Gen2 engine oil[8]
Valvoline launched the second iteration of its heavy-duty multifuel engine oil, Premium Blue One Solution Gen2. It is licensed for API service CK-4 and SP.
Reported
Valvoline prices and increases senior notes offering[9]
Valvoline announced that it had priced its previously announced senior notes offering and increased its aggregate principal amount from $500 million to $600 million. The company said it intends to use proceeds for redemption of existing notes, repayment of debt, and general corporate purposes.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Valvoline Instant Oil Change service center opens in Naples[10]
Valvoline announced that its franchisee, Henley Companies, had acquired a quick-lube location in Naples, Florida, which was then operating as a Valvoline Instant Oil Change service center.
Sources12 sources
- 1Valvolineen.wikipedia.org
- 2Valvoline official websitevalvoline.com
- 3Valvoline获得Cummins供应商认可奖prnewswire.com
- 4Valvoline推出Gensets Ka 1-2-3数字营销活动indiantelevision.com
- 5Valvoline推出High Mileage 150k机油prnewswire.com
- 6Valvoline推出全合成Extended Protection机油prnewswire.com
- 7Sunrisers Hyderabad公布IPL第13赛季赞助商archive.siasat.com
- 8Valvoline推出Premium Blue One Solution Gen2机油ttnews.com
- 9Valvoline为高级票据发行定价并扩大规模prnewswire.com
- 10Valvoline Instant Oil Change服务中心在那不勒斯开业prnewswire.com
- 11Valvoline Announces Opening of Acquired Franchised Quick-Lube Center in Greater Chicago Metroprnewswire.com
- 12Valvoline Announces Opening of Acquired Franchised Quick-Lube Center in Sea Girt, New Jerseyprnewswire.com
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