Shell announced in a media release on its website that a sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 it examined does not meet API CK-4 performance standards or the more stringent OEM standards claimed for the product. Shell said the sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 tested did not meet the passing limits for either API CK-4 performance standards, nor the more stringent requirements for Volvo, MACK and Cummins.
Shell, in the media release, starts by stating "ALL OILS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL, Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 fails the Volvo T-13 test".
Shell goes on to say "We know you expect a lot from your engine oil, so at Shell, we routinely collect and test our own oils as well as our competitor’s oils (competitor benchmarking). We do this to understand potential product shortcomings for future designs as well as to validate performance. Recently, Shell ran an industry standard test, the Volvo T-13, a very severe 360-hour duration, high temperature oil oxidation test. The test pushes oil marketers to develop engine oils that are resilient in newer, severe, fuel efficient engines. Shell ran the test, which acts as a key barrier against engine oils with inadequate oxidation protection, at an independent testing facility with a sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40. This test is critical to pass in order to meet the industry standards for performance in the API CK-4 and FA-4 categories of engine oil. The sample was sent blind to eliminate bias. The sample of Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 did not meet the passing limits for either API CK-4 performance standards, nor the more stringent requirements for Volvo, MACK and Cummins. These standards help set the bar for the oxidation stability of engine oils. Oxidation stability of an engine oil refers to its capability to resist thermal and chemical breakdown during engine operation. It is a key indicator of an engine oil’s ability to protect itself, the engine hardware, and your investment. Using an engine oil lacking oxidation stability can lead to engine maintenance and performance issues including reduced oil drain intervals, shorter engine life, reduced energy efficiency and fuel economy.
The Shell media release then states "Download the Full Report, PDF, which is entitled "NOT ALL OILS MEET INDUSTRY STANDARDS. SHELL ROTELLA® T4 15W-40 DOES."
The Report goes on to say
QUOTE
When you buy a Shell Rotella® heavy duty engine oil, you rely on our brand to deliver on our promise of protection for your vehicle. That promise is demonstrated by the approvals and specifications that are printed on the label of each Shell Rotella® product.
Shell spends countless hours of work, not only in the laboratory, but also in the real world, to make sure that trust is deserved. Shell also routinely collects and tests competitor oils (competitor benchmarking) to compare our product’s performance against the competition. Recently, Shell ran the industry standard Volvo T-13 test at an independent testing facility using Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40. The sample was sent blind to eliminate bias.
The Volvo T-13 is a grueling 360-hour, severe high temperature oil oxidation test. The test pushes oil marketers to develop engine oils that are resilient in challenging operating environments of newer, more fuel-efficient engines. The Volvo T-13 is a key barrier against engine oils with inadequate oxidation protection.
The test limits for the Volvo T-13 focus on two standard measurements: Kinematic Viscosity at 40o C (KV 40) in the last 60 hours of the test (ASTM D445) and oxidation by infra-red spectroscopy. These limits are important as they represent the baseline for API CK-4 limits and the more stringent OEM limits. This new test was devised to set the bar for the API CK-4 category of engine oil, designed to include advanced oxidation stability and shear stability.
Oxidation stability of an engine oil refers to its capability to resist thermal and chemical breakdown during engine operation. It is a key indicator of an engine oil’s ability to protect the engine itself and engine hardware.
Using an engine oil that lacks oxidation stability can lead to several engine maintenance and performance issues, such as:
- Deposit build up on engine parts that can lead to reduced oil drain intervals and shorter engine life
- More corrosion of engine parts that can lead to greater wear and potentially damage your engine, which could lead to shorter engine life
- Higher viscosity of oil that can lead to reduced engine efficiency and fuel economy NOT ALL OILS MEET INDUSTRY STANDARDS. SHELL ROTELLA® T4 15W-40 DOES.
* Sample purchased in 2018 and Volvo T-13 test completed by an independent testing facility in February 2018.
END QUOTE, and end first page
The second page of the PDF includes graphs of the test results for both Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 and Shell Rotella T 15W-40 in the Volvo T-13 test, denoting the passing requirements for API CK-4, Mack EOS 4.5, Volvo VDS 4.5 and Cummins CES 20086 approvals, showing the failure for the Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 sample. Shell concludes by stating "As you can see, not all oils are equal. At Shell, we believe in maintaining your trust in our products. We know that your truck is more than just a truck. That’s why it deserves more than just any oil."
to view the Full Report PDF with test results,
click here
