Havoline
A long-running automotive lubricant brand commercialized by Chevron and descended from a motor-oil business established in the United States in 1904.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Havoline is an automotive lubricant brand currently commercialized by Chevron Corporation. Its history begins in 1904, when the Havemeyer Oil Company of New York introduced the name for motor oil. The Havoline Oil Company separated from Havemeyer in 1906, and the business was acquired by the Indian Refining Company in 1909. Indian Refining retained the Havoline identity and was manufacturing the product by 1910. Early promotion connected the brand with the development of motoring and aviation: the company offered to fuel the first aircraft to fly coast to coast in the United States, an initiative that attracted interest from automobile manufacturers. The business later experienced operational difficulties related to overproduction and halted operations in 1915. In 1931, the Texas Oil Company, later known as Texaco, acquired Indian Refining. Havoline subsequently became part of Texaco's lubricant portfolio. The brand's technical and visual identity evolved over the following decades. A technology improvement was reported in 1946, while the traditional Indian-related logo was replaced in 1962. That year also saw the introduction of Havoline 10W-30 and Havoline Singlegrade. Additional products followed, including Improved Havoline and All Temperature Havoline in 1968, Havoline Super-Premium All Temperature Motor Oil in 1971, Havoline Supreme 10W-40 in 1979, and SAW 20W-50 in 1984. Formula 3, launched in 1991, became one of the brand's internationally recognized products. Chevron acquired Texaco in 2001. Although ownership changed, the Havoline name was retained for Texaco-derived motor oils and related lubricating products, including antifreeze offerings. A new logo and package design were introduced across the line in the same year, and the brand now carries the Chevron corporate mark. Havoline's portfolio has included conventional, synthetic, synthetic-blend, high-mileage, two-cycle engine, gear-oil, grease, and related automotive lubricant products, with exact availability varying by market and period. Brand visibility has also been built through motorsport sponsorship. Havoline supported Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972 and driver Janet Guthrie in 1978. From 1987 through 2002, it sponsored the Robert Yates Racing No. 28 car in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series and also supported Newman/Haas Racing from 1989 to 2002. Later, the brand sponsored Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Texaco and Havoline ended that NASCAR relationship after the 2008 season, although Havoline later returned to NASCAR sponsorship through a three-race arrangement with ThorSport Racing for Ben Rhodes. After the earlier NASCAR exit, the brand also became associated with the Atlantic Coast Conference. Havoline remains a Chevron-associated lubricant brand serving automotive maintenance and, in some markets, industrial or commercial applications.
History
Havoline originated in 1904 as a motor-oil name introduced by the Havemeyer Oil Company of New York. The Havoline Oil Company became separate from Havemeyer in 1906. In May 1909, Indian Refining Company acquired the business and registered Havoline as one of its products while retaining its existing visual identity. By 1910, Indian Refining was manufacturing Havoline oil. Early marketing emphasized the brand's connection with emerging transportation technology. Indian Refining offered to fuel the first airplane flight across the United States, and the promotion reportedly drew interest from more than 300 automobile manufacturers. The company later stopped operations in 1915 amid overproduction. The brand changed ownership again in 1931, when the Texas Oil Company acquired Indian Refining. The Texas Oil Company subsequently became known as Texaco, making Havoline part of one of the major petroleum companies' lubricant businesses. A technical improvement was associated with the brand in 1946. In 1962, Havoline replaced its earlier Indian-themed logo and expanded its product range with 10W-30 and Singlegrade motor oils. Product development continued through the late twentieth century: Improved Havoline and All Temperature Havoline appeared in 1968; Havoline Super-Premium All Temperature Motor Oil followed in 1971; Havoline Supreme 10W-40 replaced the Super-Premium product in 1979; and SAW 20W-50 was introduced in 1984 to address changing market demand. Formula 3 was launched in 1991 and gained international recognition. In 2001, Texaco merged with Chevron. Havoline survived the transaction as a continuing brand rather than being eliminated, and the name remained attached to Texaco motor oils, other lubricating products, and antifreeze. A new logo and packaging system were introduced around the same time. The brand is now marketed within Chevron's lubricant activities and carries the Chevron logo. Its product family has included conventional and synthetic engine oils, high-mileage products, synthetic blends, two-cycle oil, gear oils, greases, and coolant-related products. Product names and availability differ by country and by product-generation cycle. Havoline has historically used motorsport and sports partnerships to support consumer awareness. It sponsored Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972 and Janet Guthrie in 1978. From 1987 to 2002, the brand backed the Robert Yates Racing No. 28 car in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. It also sponsored Newman/Haas Racing from 1989 to 2002, during periods involving drivers including Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Christian Fittipaldi, and Cristiano da Matta. A later association involved Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 Dodge with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Texaco and Havoline ended that NASCAR sponsorship after the 2008 season. The brand subsequently became a sponsor of the Atlantic Coast Conference and later returned to NASCAR through a three-race ThorSport Racing arrangement supporting Ben Rhodes. Havoline therefore combines an unusually old lubricant name with successive corporate homes at Indian Refining, Texaco, and Chevron.
- 2008
NASCAR sponsorship ended
[1]Texaco and Havoline ended their sponsorship relationship with NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing after the season.
- 2001
Chevron acquired Texaco and refreshed Havoline identity
[1]Chevron's merger with Texaco transferred ownership of Havoline, while a new logo and package design were introduced.
- 1991
Formula 3 launched
[1]Havoline launched Formula 3, which became a widely recognized product in international markets.
- 1984
SAW 20W-50 introduced
[1]Havoline introduced SAW 20W-50 as demand for automotive lubricants grew.
- 1979
Havoline Supreme introduced
[1]Havoline Supreme 10W-40 replaced Havoline Super-Premium.
- 1971
Super-Premium All Temperature launch
[1]Havoline Super-Premium All Temperature Motor Oil entered the product range.
- 1968
All-temperature product expansion
[1]Improved Havoline and All Temperature Havoline products were introduced.
- 1962
Logo revision and new grades
[1]Havoline replaced its earlier Indian-themed logo and introduced 10W-30 and Singlegrade products.
- 1946
Lubricant technology improvement
[1]A reported technical breakthrough improved Havoline's formulation or performance.
- 1931
Texaco ownership begins
[1]The Texas Oil Company acquired Indian Refining Company, placing Havoline within the business that became Texaco.
Products and positioning
A heritage automotive lubricant brand positioned around engine protection, dependable vehicle operation, and lubricant technology, with visibility reinforced by motorsport associations.
Engine oil · 1904
Havoline Motor Oils
The core Havoline range consists of lubricants for internal-combustion automotive engines. Across different generations and markets, the line has included conventional multi-grade and single-grade formulations intended to reduce wear, manage deposits, and support engine operation under varying temperatures.
Engine oil
Havoline High-Mileage Protection Motor Oils
High-mileage formulations are aimed at older or heavily used vehicles. They are positioned around continued engine protection and maintenance support as seals, consumption patterns, and deposit control become more important over a vehicle's service life.
Synthetic engine oil
Havoline Synthetic Motor Oils
Havoline's synthetic motor-oil products extend the brand into higher-performance lubricant formulations. They are intended for modern passenger vehicles and other applications requiring specified viscosity grades and performance standards, with availability dependent on market.
Synthetic-blend engine oil
Havoline Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
Synthetic-blend products occupy a middle position between conventional and fully synthetic oils. The range is designed for motorists seeking enhanced formulation characteristics while retaining a broadly accessible lubricant category.
Engine oil · 1991
Havoline Formula 3
Formula 3 was introduced in 1991 and became one of Havoline's internationally recognized product names. It represented the brand's effort to develop and market a distinct formulation within its broader engine-oil portfolio.
Two-cycle engine oil
Havoline Two-Cycle Engine Oil
This product category is intended for two-cycle engines, where the lubricant is used according to the requirements of the engine and fuel system. It extends Havoline beyond passenger-car four-stroke engine applications.
Automotive lubricants
Havoline Gear Oils and Greases
Gear oils and greases complement Havoline's engine-oil products by addressing driveline, bearing, chassis, and other lubrication points. Specific formulations, approvals, and packaging vary across Chevron markets.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR sponsorship
United States
Havoline was associated with Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.
Outcome. Texaco and Havoline ended the NASCAR sponsorship after the 2008 season.
- 1989Newman-Haas Racing sponsorship
United States · International motorsport
Havoline sponsored Newman-Haas Racing from 1989 to 2002, during a period involving several prominent open-wheel drivers.
- 1987Robert Yates Racing sponsorship
United States
Havoline began sponsoring the Robert Yates Racing No. 28 car in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, continuing through 2002.
Outcome. The partnership became one of the brand's longest-running NASCAR associations.
- 1978Janet Guthrie sponsorship
United States
The brand sponsored driver Janet Guthrie in CART and NASCAR-related competition.
- 1972Emerson Fittipaldi sponsorship
International motorsport
Havoline sponsored Formula One driver Emerson Fittipaldi during the period in which he became a world champion.
- 1910Coast-to-coast flight fueling promotion
United States
Indian Refining promoted Havoline by offering to fuel the first aircraft to fly across the United States, linking the brand with early aviation and modern transportation.
Outcome. The promotion reportedly attracted interest from more than 300 automobile manufacturers.
- ThorSport Racing return
United States
Havoline returned to NASCAR sponsorship through a three-race deal with ThorSport Racing supporting Ben Rhodes.
- Atlantic Coast Conference sponsorship
United States
After leaving NASCAR sponsorship, Havoline became a sponsor of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Brand decisions
2008
NASCAR sponsorship withdrawalStrategyBackground
After a long period of motorsport marketing, Texaco and Havoline reassessed their NASCAR sponsorship activity.
Action taken
The brands ended their sponsorship with NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing after the 2008 season.
Aftermath
Havoline shifted some sports-marketing emphasis toward the Atlantic Coast Conference before later returning to NASCAR through a limited ThorSport Racing deal.
2001
Chevron acquired TexacoM&ABackground
The merger consolidated the corporate ownership of Texaco's lubricant brands.
Action taken
Chevron merged with Texaco and retained Havoline as a brand for motor oils and related lubricants.
Aftermath
Havoline received updated packaging and logo treatment and was subsequently presented with the Chevron corporate identity.
1931
Texas Oil Company acquired Indian RefiningM&ABackground
Indian Refining and its product brands became part of the Texas Oil Company's expanding petroleum operations.
Action taken
The Texas Oil Company acquired Indian Refining Company.
Aftermath
Havoline became associated with Texaco, the later name of the acquiring company.
1909
Indian Refining Company acquired HavolineM&ABackground
The newly separated Havoline business changed ownership as the early motor-oil market developed.
Action taken
Indian Refining Company purchased the business and kept Havoline as a named product.
Aftermath
Havoline was manufactured and promoted within Indian Refining's product portfolio.
Recent events
- 2008
Texaco and Havoline ended their NASCAR sponsorship relationship[1]
Campaign
Following the 2008 NASCAR season, Texaco and Havoline ended their sponsorship arrangement with Chip Ganassi Racing, closing a motorsport relationship that had lasted for more than two decades.
- 2001
Chevron acquired Texaco while retaining Havoline[1]
M&A
Chevron's merger with Texaco changed the brand's corporate ownership, but Havoline continued as a named lubricant line associated with Texaco products and later carried the Chevron logo.
- 1931
Texaco acquired Indian Refining Company and retained the Havoline brand[1]
M&A
The Texas Oil Company, later known as Texaco, acquired Indian Refining Company, bringing Havoline into the Texaco lubricant portfolio.
Havoline returned to NASCAR sponsorship with ThorSport Racing[1]
Campaign
Havoline later returned to NASCAR through a three-race sponsorship deal supporting Ben Rhodes at ThorSport Racing.
Sources1 sources
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