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New Shell Rotella engine oils offer improved technology for hard working vehicles

Advanced Shell Rotella engine oils meet new API CK-4 specifications

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection and Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic meet the new API CK-4 service category for diesel engine oil.
Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection and Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic meet the new API CK-4 service category for diesel engine oil.

New Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection and Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend have been developed to meet the new API CK-4 service category for diesel engine oil. Nearly a decade has passed since the last diesel engine oil category, CJ-4, was developed and the standard has lasted well beyond the life of the typical engine oil category. The American Petroleum Institute (API), working with engine manufacturers and oil makers, has completely redesigned heavy-duty engine oil specifications to meet the needs of current and next-generation engines. This has resulted in two new categories - API CK-4 and API FA-4.

“Shell Lubricants has been a leader in the development and testing of next generation engine oils that will meet the new API specifications without compromising oil life or wear protection,” said Dan Arcy, Global OEM technical manager for Shell Lubricants. “We have conducted more than 40 million miles of real-world testing to demonstrate the performance of our next-generation Shell Rotella engine oils to meet the CK-4 and FA-4 specifications.”

CK-4 oils will replace current CJ-4 oils and will be completely backwards compatible with all current engines. They will be designed with improved oxidation resistance, shear stability and aeration control. FA-4 oils include lower viscosity grades designed for next-generation diesel engines to help maximize fuel economy without sacrificing engine protection. Some older engines were not designed to operate with lower viscosity oils, so backwards compatibility is limited.

Engine oil for every hard working need

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection and Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend meet numerous specifications and with approvals from many of the world’s leading engine makers, both are an excellent choice for on-highway fleets, general haul, construction, agriculture, public-transport operators, diesel pickup trucks, including high-power vehicles where resistance to increased heat and stress is required.

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection, which will be available in SAE 15W-40 and SAE 10W-30 viscosities, builds upon the heritage of Triple Protection technology and is now more advanced than ever. It is designed to provide hard working protection that adapts to driving conditions by providing enhanced protection against oxidation and better wear protection along with improved deposit control/cleanliness.[1] The oil also sustains emission control system durability in diesel particulate filters and aftertreatment systems.[2]

Triple Protection technology

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection uses a proprietary formula exclusive to Shell that is designed to protect under the most severe engine conditions found in modern low-emission engines and older hard working diesel engines. Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection has demonstrated the following:

  • Significantly improved resistance to oil breakdown under high temperatures.
  • Resistance to oxidation up to 50 percent longer than the previous generation of Shell Rotella T Triple Protection.
  • Engine protection that helps keep engines running long, clean and operating efficiently

The most technically advanced Shell Rotella formulation ever

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection is designed to effectively sustain emissions control system durability where diesel particulate filters and after-treatment systems are used. It provides enhanced protection against viscosity loss due to shear and improved oil aeration. The exclusive low-ash formulation helps protect the exhaust catalysts and diesel particulate filters found on the latest low-emission vehicles. The oil is suitable for virtually all modern low-emission heavy-duty engines[3] and older hard working diesel engines. A fuel economy benefit may be realized from Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection 10W30.

Wear protection beyond CK-4 standards

In API industry wear tests, Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 didn’t just meet CK-4 specifications; it delivered an average 50 percent more wear protection than required. It also provided strong wear protection in CK-4 engine tests including the Cummins ISM and ISB. That’s protection where it matters most – on the road.

Improved protection against deposits

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 defends against deposits and helps keep engines cleaner over the entire oil drain interval. It delivers reduced deposits in engine tests including Caterpillar 1N and OM 501 industry standard tests.

Protection against emissions

Shell Rotella T Triple Protection 15W-40 helps control vehicle emissions by reducing the rate of lubricant-related DPF blockage compared to API CI-4 PLUS oils and by virtue of the improved wear and exceptional cleanliness, helping engines maintain efficient combustion. Minimizing DPF blockage also helps maintain fuel economy, thus further helping control exhaust-gas emissions.

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend

New Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend will deliver all the benefits of a low-viscosity synthetic blend oil including improved fuel economy and low temperature flow[4]. The new oil has been enhanced with synthetic base oils, plus advanced additive technology to provide Triple Protection Plus technology that adapts to driving conditions. Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend delivers excellent wear protection and deposit control/cleanliness. It also provides protection against oil breakdown and sustains emission control system durability in particulate filters and aftertreatment systems.

Going beyond CK-4 wear limits

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend works even harder than new CK-4 specifications require and is proven to provide excellent performance across API CK-4 wear tests, delivering an average of 56 percent above minimum wear requirements.

Strong cleanliness and engine protection

Multiple tests demonstrate that Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend provides excellent piston cleanliness, exceeding Mercedes-Benz and Volvo limits for piston cleanliness. The oil also demonstrates excellent wear protection in the field, and comparable wear protection to Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 and improved wear protection verses CJ-4 Shell Rotella T5 10W-30.

Improved oil breakdown resistance for long oil life

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend has improved its oxidation protection compared to CJ-4 Shell Rotella T5 10W-30, far exceeding the API CK-4 limits in the Volvo T-13 oxidation test.

Fuel economy benefit

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend has been shown to provide a 1.6 percent fuel economy improvement compared to 15W-40 oil in an independent third party test site.

Bring on the cold

Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend excels at low temperature oil flow when compared to Shell Rotella Triple Protection 15W-40. Tests prove that the new oil has better cold cranking properties and low temperature pumpability at -25˚C and -30˚C respectively.

Shell Rotella meets numerous specifications

  • New Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 meets the API CK-4 (as of Dec 2016) specifications as well as all the specifications met by the current Shell Rotella T Triple Protection15W-40.
  • Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend meets the API CK-4 (as of Dec 2016) specifications as well as all the current specifications met by the current Shell Rotella T5 10W -30.
  • Both oils will meet the Cummins CES 20086, Detroit Diesel 93K222 and Volvo VDS-4.5 specifications.
  • New Rotella T4 Triple Protection 15W-40 also meets Allison TES 439 specification (for off-highway).



[1] Compared to prior Shell Rotella Triple Protection 15W-40

[2] Compared to prior Shell Rotella Triple Protection 15W-40

[3] Consult your owner’s manual for heavy duty engine oil recommendations.

[4] Compared to SAE 15W-40