Formula 1 oil base stock

lvporschepilot · 01-15-2006, 04:56 PM

Hello enthusaists,

I have been researching oil the past few days and ran into a very interesting fact while on the Shell Rotella forums. I thought I would share with my oil loving buddies.

Shell Rotella t synthetic, Shell Helix ultra synthetic, AND Shell's special formula 1 concoction for Ferrari's team all use the same group III base stock with different additive packages of course.

My next oil change will be with Rotella t synthetic 5w-40. According to the reserach I have done, this oil has a higher hths (4.2) than any other 40 weight oil on the market which is extremely important for our engines not to mention the fantastic 100c kinetic viscosity this oil has. 15.0 compared to Mobil 1's 14.6.

The Formula 1 factoid certainly shocked me.

John

PS- Mr Firch started my quest to find more about this oil due to his inspiring postings regarding this product.

lvporschepilot · 01-15-2006, 05:01 PM

Forgot to mention this. The one and only concern I have regarding this oil is the added phosphorus content which could cause catalyst issues. The possibility I am told is not that high but, I will surely keep you posted on any findings of note.

TimT · 05:59 PM

Ive been using Rotella for years.. and have been recommending its use for years to..

Sometimes these tid bits gets lost in the oil wars LOL

lvporschepilot · 01-15-2006, 05:57 PM

The oil wars. Isn't that the truth. I love it!

Can anyone tell me why we cannot purchase Shell Helix Ultra in the US???

Wil Ferch · 09:07 AM

Aint that the truth? ... I think I used the term "leading a horse to water, but not making it drink"... or somesuch.

People in today's society don't want to invest time and effort into research...even when presented as "available". Instead, we will go with gut feel or ask others for a "fast" answer....

...a sign of the times ......

I've been using Rotella- T ( the "synthetic" 5W-40) to avoid the small leaks that came with using Mobil 1 15W-50. Shell is indeed a "highly refined" or hydrocracked Group III mineral oil that US law allows to be marketed as "100% synthetic"....whereas Mobil 1 is a PAO oil or truly 100% synthetic. Both types act in about the same way as far as the consumer is concerned, but the Gr III synthetics seem to make the car leak less- or not at all- ....but cost ( as base stock) MUCH less for the suppler...arrgh!

- Wil ( Ferch....with an "e".....

)

lvporschepilot · 01-16-2006, 08:58 AM

can anyone tell me why we still cannot purchase Shell Helix ultra in the US???

Wil Ferch · 09:23 AM

lvporschepilot:
Maybe it's this... I think the Helix is the "synthetic" sold in all other parts of the world outside USA....where they have to be truly synthetic to be labeled synthetic. If that's the cae, Shell may be making a marketing move which says..."Hey, Rotella-T syn is almost as good...and we're selling it for $4-$5 / qt anyway. If we sell "pure" Helix..at it's much higher base cost..we'd have to sell it at $8/ qt...and the Americans won't spend this.."

-Wil

EDIT... forget what I said...if indeed Helix is Gr. III as you originally posted...... yet it might still be a "price ceiling" issue as seen by Shell. How much does this cost elsewhere?

lvporschepilot · 01-16-2006, 10:07 AM

A liter of Helix Ultra in England is about $14(I found it on ebay, can't imagine shipping from the UK for the stuff though). I was told by the Shell Rep that Roella t synthetic, Helix Ultra synthetic, and the formula 1 cocktail they make are all the same Shell HXVI group 3 base stock with different additives of course. The Helix must have a bit more PAO in it than the rest because it is indeed called a synthetic in other parts of the world.............shrug.

Wil Ferch · 01-16-2006, 10:09 AM

... or the formula is different in different parts of the world...but the name is the same ???

- Wil

petrolblue83911 · 01-16-2006, 10:15 AM

Where are you guys -John, others,, finding Rotella T?

-Adam

Wil Ferch · 01-16-2006, 12:49 PM

Normal Rotella T ( 15W-40, mineral oil)...find it in any auto parts store.

Rotella-T synthetic 5W-40 ( in USA).... Walmart, of all places !

- Wil

lvporschepilot · 01-16-2006, 12:58 PM

$14 a gallon at Walmart.

funny that lubemaster never once commented specifically on this particular oil. Even when asked several times what his thoughts were on it, there was no specific remark. I still have to wonder what an expert such as lubemaster thinks of this product.

lvporschepilot · 01-16-2006, 01:29 PM

great quote I found from Shell's tech expert:

In brief, don't be so quick to dismiss Rotella T Synthetic as just another "synthetic pretender." It's made with the same base oil as Shell's Helix Ultra, and everytime you see Ferrari win a Formula 1 race, that's the oil in the engine."