Which Diesel Engine Oil Is Best For My Vehicle?
Using the right oil for your vehicle is essential to reducing overall operational costs. Get confident with our guide to choosing the best Shell Rotella® diesel oil for your tough work.
Diesel engines are a special breed. They have more power and higher torque but with higher compression ratios. They also produce more soot. Plus, the new lower-emission diesels can run at extremely high temperatures, shearing oil at a much higher rate.
Know what oil is recommended for your engine
A driver’s first step should always be to check your OEMs (original equipment manufacturer’s) recommendation(s) in your owner’s manual. Some OEMs recommend different viscosity grades based on operating conditions, loads and fuel economy typically achieved.
Shell LubeMatch can offer recommendations on the oil to use for your vehicle.
Which Environment(s) Do You Work In?
Cold temperatures
The process of getting oil flowing through your diesel engine starts when you turn the ignition. If you begin this process after the engine has been sitting – overnight, for example – the oil in your engine is starting from a settled state.
The faster the oil flows through your engine, the faster your critical engine parts are protected. During cold winter months, or if you live in an area of extreme cold, the time it takes to get the oil flowing can take longer so selecting a diesel engine oil proven to perform in cold temperatures is a must.
The Shell Rotella® family of heavy-duty engine oils are formulated to deliver the right performance for your diesel vehicle in any condition.
When Conditions Get Cold, We Recommend:
Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic heavy-duty engine oil with Triple Protection Plus™ technology has been enhanced with fully synthetic base oil plus advanced additive technology to provide protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown, PLUS better low temperature flow and better fuel economy performance1.
It’s available in a 0W-40 viscosity for extreme cold temperatures, an SAE 5W-40, and an SAE 15W-40 viscosity. Learn more
Find Shell Rotella products near you using our store locator.
Extreme heat
It’s no surprise that diesel engines are hot. From heavy-duty hauling to logging thousands of highway miles, your diesel engine can face extreme heat.
Over time these high temperatures can cause standard oils to break down – increasing the wear on your engine. Shell Rotella oils are thoroughly tested under the most extreme conditions for this reason.
Only when our oils have passed the test are they ready for your vehicle, and we’ve formulated our diesel engine oils to resist high temperatures and stress.
Each product in the Shell Rotella® family of heavy-duty engine oils are formulated to deliver the right performance for your diesel engine in any environment.
If You Need Proven Performance In Extreme Heat, We Recommend:
Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection works for all heavy-duty engine applications. With its wide range of specifications – and approvals from many of the world’s leading engine makers – it’s an excellent choice for on-highway fleets, general haul, construction, agriculture, public-transport operators, and diesel pickup trucks, including high-power vehicles where resistance to increased heat and stress is required.
Find Shell Rotella products near you using our store locator.
Off-highway, industrial, agricultural
The demands of industrial and agricultural operations on your diesel engines need a level of protection that suits a range of heavy-duty applications.
Running a farm, for example, can mean managing a variety of equipment of different brands with different lubrication needs. All Shell Rotella® diesel engine oils are designed to protect all diesel engines, so you can consolidate the oils you use.
Shell technologists and engineers understand how to design oils with specific protection levels and the tools and services to help maximize the value of what you invest in lubrication.
Our portfolio of products is the culmination of their expertise and skill, offering a full range of protection and performance possibilities to meet your working needs.
When You Need Oils You Can Rely On, Shell Recommends:
Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection is suitable for all kinds of heavy-duty engine applications. With its wide range of specifications - and approvals from many of the world’s leading engine makers - it’s 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 needed.
Need to reduce fuel costs and be greener?
To help save money on fuel - and reduce your vehicle’s CO2 emissions - we recommend:
2.8% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30
2.6% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T5 Ultra 10W-30 (if your OEM allows the use of API FA-4 oils)
2% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend 10W-30
1.5% fuel economy saving with Shell Rotella T6 5W-40.
No matter what you put your diesel engine through, you need to know your oil will protect your engine under all conditions. And proven performance matters. Shell Rotella oils have been proven over hundreds of millions of miles to deliver superior protection and performance for your engine.
Find Shell Rotella products near you using our store locator.
Explore more Shell Rotella products formulated to provide the performance and protection your work demands.
Or compare Shell Rotella products here
1 Better fuel economy performance with Shell Rotella T6 0W-40 and 5W-40, compared to an SAE 15W-40 engine oil.
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