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Yet another engine oil question - Shell Rotella?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

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scot850
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Yet another engine oil question - Shell Rotella?

Post by scot850 »

I recall reading several members who like to us Shell Rotella engine oils. My engine uses 5W-40 oil. One of our local stores regularly advertises Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 engine oil, but it states it is for diesel engines. Can I use that in my gasoline engine or is that a no-no?

https://www.princessauto.com/en/rotella ... 0008633133

In the ad, it just states Heavy Duty engine oil, but their ads including in the store always stat it is for Diesel engines.

Any guidance out there?

Thanks,

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

That is the one everyone uses in their gas engines. It's a great oil. Goes for about $25 USD/gallon here, can get the 2.5 gallon for like $60 USD if you shop around. Rotella pretty much always has a farm store rebate program going on, not sure that applies up north.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
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gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

454cid  
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Post by 454cid »

The T4 used to be rated for both gas and diesel, and then diesel requirements changed a bit, and Shell dropped the gas certification. I would assume the T6 would be the same.

I decided I didn't care, and it's what is in my 850, since T6 seems to be popular with a lot of people, and it comes in a weight that is appropriate (5w40).

I have read that it's not really the greatest choice for high revving engines, but I believe that's more of a motorcycle engine territory of high revving. It's still popular with the motorcycle crowd, since I guess it will work with wet clutches?

I have not had any oil analysis done on the used oil since I had mixed in something else when I needed to top the engine off, before changing it.

Edit: It's a lot more expensive in Canada! It's only about $25 here in MI.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
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scot850
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Post by scot850 »

When Abscate says everything is better up here in Canada, that maybe for some things, but nothing automotive related! Just looked up the Toyota 4Runner AC evaporator and cheapest OE is $750 CDN!! I can buy OE supplier Denso part for about $180 with shipping and taxes!
I should have ordered the parts when I was down in Scottsdale last week.

Thanks for the info on the oil guys!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

.
The T6 5W-40 is an excellent oil. Not sure if I posted these pictures but Rotella wasn't available for awhile so I stocked up when there was a sale and experimented with other oils. The gas rating went away but someone posted a response in BTOG from Rotella stating the formulation has not changed.

I believe they drop the gas rating to make way for the newish now Rotella Gas Truck motor oil in order to create a broader market and market share with the newest API ratings. Shell already knows there is huge following from bikers and gas engine owners who will continue to use it. With the Gas Truck they have new customers who otherwise wouldn't use a diesel oil in their vehicles. Didn't care for the Gas Truck oil after trying it but am back to using the T6 5W40 when the others run out.

Purchase a jug of the T6 already but didn't bring it to my folks when I changed the oil on the C30 Sunday. Went ahead and put Swepco and Liqui in combination for the oil change.
.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Rotell ... thena=true

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Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
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Post by abscate »

You can buy liquid Moly from FCP in CT and return it on warranty after your OCI, ISYN.
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454cid  
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Post by 454cid »

I think the Gas Truck Rotella got discontinued. It was quite expensive here, even when on clearance. I did get a 5-quart jug, but it's still sitting on my oil shelf.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

...and remember never to mix Shell products and Mobil products

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kallekula
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Post by kallekula »

Your operator’s manual should state what the manufacturer says is best for your engine.
EDIT: isn’t Shell Rotella for heavy duty Diesel machines?

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Sveedy
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Post by Sveedy »

I think the reason folks like the Rotella is that it had more ZDDP ( Zinc ) than most other oils, which is good for any flat tappet engine to help prevent wear of the cam, lifters etc.
Try to learn life's bad lessons vicariously through others.


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