Frequently asked questions about engine oil

• By helping to keep it clean – Engine oils like Shell Helix helps prevent sludge and other deposits from hindering engine operation until your next oil change.
• By reducing friction and wear - Engine oils like Shell Helix reduce friction, to improve fuel economy, they also protect critical engine surfaces from wear during engine operation.
• By removing heat - Shell Helix oils carry heat away from hot areas, such as around the piston rings where temperatures can reach over 300°C, and redistribute it around the engine.
• By preventing corrosion and rust - Shell Helix oils are specially formulated to help prevent rust and corrosion that damage engine parts and shorten engine life.

By using the right engine oil, you will be able to maximize your car’s engine performance.

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

• base oils¹
• viscosity modifiers
• performance additives

They are carefully selected and skillfully blended to provide maximum engine protection.

¹For Shell Helix Ultra range of products with PurePlus Technology

The PurePLus Technology creates base oils with stronger molecular bonds, enabling Shell Helix Ultra 0W Fully Synthetic Motor Oils to provide long-lasting engine performance.

²Based on paraffinic hydrocarbon content and significantly higher level of iso-paraffins compared to typical Group ll & lll base oils

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Fully Synthetic engine oils may not use crude oil as the source and are more refined. While Semi Synthetic engine oils are made from a mixture of Mineral & Synthetic base oils.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products with PurePlus Technology

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat 

A fully synthetic motor oil can help to provide long last engine performance and protection. Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, is formulated through a revolutionary gas-to-liquid process that converts the natural gas into a pure base oil with stronger molecular bonds. Shell Helix Ultra also provides up to 58% better resistance to oil degradation* and on average 70% better piston deposit control in high temperatures during severe industry engine tests**. Put simply, this means that by using Shell Helix Ultra, you will have peace of mind, knowing that you are providing only the best for your engine and ensuring you that you have lasting engine protection, even in extreme temperatures so that you can always drive on.

* Based on ACEA DV6C engine test results compared with ACEA A3/B4 specification.

**Based on DV6C (CEC L-106-16) and OM646LA bio test (CEC L-104-16) results compared with ACEA C5 specification SAE 0W-20.

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Many new cars come with synthetic oil straight from the factory, the engine makers understand the valuable protection afforded them by using full synthetic motor oils. Engine oils like Shell Helix Ultra are designed for ultimate engine performance and protection, to take better care of your engine. Many modern vehicles require this level of protection and older vehicles will benefit from the added protection, performance, and fuel economy these oils can bring.

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Motor oil is the ‘life-blood’ of your car. That’s why it is so important to understand and choose the right motor oil to keep an engine in the best condition possible. By choosing a synthetic motor oil, such as Shell Helix Ultra, you are providing your engine with long lasting performance and protection, meaning you can always enjoy the drive, no matter how extreme. Shell Helix Ultra is designed for extreme temperatures, meaning it provides longer lasting engine protection in hot temperatures and up to 3X faster motor oil flow at low temperatures for easier starting and quicker engine warmup*. As well as this, it has low viscosity, low-friction formulations, which can result in up to 3.3% greater fuel economy**.

*Compared with SAE J300 limit based on ASTM D4684

**Based on the ACEA M 111 Fuel Economy results compared with the industry reference oil

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Changing your car engine oil regularly helps provide the best performance and protection for your engine. Ask your vehicle manufacturer or check your owner’s handbook to see how often you should change your oil and filter as it can sometimes vary.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

It’s never a good idea to pour oil down the drain, so instead:

• if you prefer a mechanic to change the engine oil for you, the car servicing workshop would typically dispose the used oil in a safe manner on your behalf.
• If you prefer to change the engine oil yourself, you can also take your used oil to an official oil-disposal or recycling bank. Some places that may provide this service include the store where the fresh oil was purchased, a car workshop or a municipal recycling centre.

One of most frequently asked questions is: how do you know which engine/motor oil to use for your car? We all want our engines to perform at their best and want to make sure we are putting the very best in our engines. Shell Helix Ultra is suitable for use for most modern and older vehicles. Always check your vehicle owner’s manual for the correct viscosity grade and performance level required.

Alternatively, drivers can use the Shell LubeMatch tool.

Shell LubeMatch – a simple tool, can make it easier by helping you find the right oil.

1. Open Shell Lube Match to discover the right oil
2. Enter the vehicle make and model or enter the license plate number and click ‘find’

A recommended Shell Helix oil will appear in the results

Shell Helix offers a full range of car engine oil quality and viscosity grades, designed to meet the special needs of your car

You can also check ‘oil change intervals’ to see how often the oil requires changing e.g. 12 months

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

We always recommend you follow your vehicle owner’s manual for servicing intervals and to discuss the motor oil used with your mechanic, ensuring that it is best suited to the needs of your vehicle.

See Shell LubeMatch

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Along with servicing your engine according to your vehicle owner’s manual, it is important to ensure you are using the right motor oil for your engine as this helps protect your engine and maintain its performance.

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Using a synthetic motor oil is an investment into your engine and its protection and performance. Shell Helix Ultra, has low-viscosity and low-friction formulations, which can result in up to 3.3% greater fuel economy*. Shell Helix Ultra is also competitively priced.

*Based on ACEA M 111 fuel economy results compared with the industry reference oil

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Frequent oil changes help keep car engine surfaces clean, so your engine can perform at its best.

Delaying oil changes may allow deposits to form that can affect power and performance; eventually causing serious engine damage, which might be far more expensive to repair.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

If you find the frequent need to top up your oil, you may consider using a Shell Helix high mileage

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat

Think of oil as the lifeblood of your car. If the wrong kind is used, your engine is at risk of extra wear and tear, or even blockages that could lead to engine seizure.

Using Shell Helix gives you that peace of mind to drive with confidence. You'll get long-lasting engine performance and superior protection for your car even against extreme conditions¹.

¹ According to the Helix Ultra 0W-20 field trial results run by independent 3rd party in 2021.

Think of oil as the lifeblood of your car. If deposits gather inside the engine, it will affect the oil circulation and may lead to premature engine damage.

Making sure that the engine oil’s ability to clean the engine components is essential to keeping the engine in tip top condition.

Shell Helix engine oils are designed to clean and protect engines, providing ultimate engine performance whatever your driving challenges.

This is not true. For example, motor oil labelled “synthetic blend” already has synthetic oil and conventional oil mixed together.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

This is not true. Motor oil darkens due to oxidation and chemical reactions that occur when the oil is being used. Always follow Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) oil drain intervals found in your owner’s manual to judge when to change the oil for your car.

This is not true. Synthetic oil may be used for the “break-in” period and throughout the engine life. Many race car teams use synthetic oil to “break in” their engines, and many engines are factory-filled with synthetic engine oil.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

No. High-quality motor oils, such as Shell Helix Ultra range, already contain carefully balanced additives for optimal performance.

Synthetic oil will not cause seals to leak.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Your engine was designed to use oil with a specific viscosity in order to lubricate mechanical parts properly. If you use oil that is too thin, you may run into wear issues. If the oil is too thick, engine efficiency may decrease affecting fuel economy. Always follow the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the correct SAE viscosity grade for your engine.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Should you require any further information you can contact us via Lubeschat 

Lubricant suppliers do not set OEM oil drain intervals. These recommendations belong to the engine manufacturers. The point of using good synthetic oil is to take better care of the engine and reduce deposit formation, which may reduce power, performance, and fuel economy, rather than extending the drain interval.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Using a low-quality engine oil, neglecting to change your oil, and maintenance issues can lead to sludge forming in your engine. Every time your engine is running, by-products from combustion contaminate your engine oil. If the contaminants build up in the oil, they can settle and create sludge and deposits in the engine.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Changing your oil according to your vehicle manufacturer recommendations can help with:

maximizing performance and protection of your car engine, reducing noxious emissions, and avoiding costly repairs.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

We’ve all experienced that unnerving feeling when you’re driving and the ‘change the engine oil’ light unexpectedly appears on the dashboard of your car.

For most, it raises important practical questions about when the motor oil was last changed and how often it should be changed. But why do we only wait until that moment to think about the motor oil we use?

Think of motor oil as the lifeblood of your car, in the same way your own blood helps to ensure the smooth running of your body. To put it simply, your motor oil works to lubricate, protect, and cool your engine, which in turn, helps to improve the performance of your car.

And, just like blood types, there are lots of different motor oils. So, how do you know which one will protect your engine on every drive? Shell Helix Ultra is a fully synthetic motor oil which is made from natural gas designed for ultimate engine performance.

Because of its unique formula, Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil provides up to 58% better resistance to oil degradation¹ and on average 70% better piston deposit control in high temperatures during severe industry engine tests². It is also designed for extreme temperatures, meaning it stays strong in extreme hot temperatures to keep the engine performing and has superior low temperature flow for easier starting and quick engine warmup³. This means that by choosing Shell Helix Ultra, you are ultimately working to remove the barriers that hinder driving performance, helping you to embrace your passion for driving.

So, regardless of whether you have a turbocharger or a supercharger engine, when using a fully synthetic motor oil, you will have peace of mind that your engine is fully protected, so you can drive on. Don’t wait until your engine oil light is blinking, start thinking about your motor oil now.

See Shell LubeMatch – a simple tool, can make it easier by helping you find the right oil.

1. Based on ACEA DV6C engine test results compared with ACEA A3/B4 specification.
2. Based on DV6C (CEC L-106-16) and OM646LA bio test (CEC L-104-16) results compared with ACEA C5 specification SAE 0W-20.
3. Compared with SAE J300 limit based on ASTM D4684

For motorists around the world, so much of their love for driving is made possible through using the right motor oil in their car.

From lubricating the engine, reducing friction and improving fuel economy to dispersing heat and allowing emission filters to operate efficiently, motor oil is the ‘life-blood’ of the car.

When it comes to protecting the engine – from the inside out – prevention is better than cure. That is why it is so important to understand and choose the right motor oil to keep an engine in the best condition possible.

When navigating the motor oil aisle there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure you are choosing the best lubricant for you and your engine.

See Shell Helix Ultra range of products

Using a synthetic motor oil can help to provide long last engine performance and protection. Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, is formulated through a revolutionary gas-to-liquid process that converts the natural gas into a pure base oil with stronger molecular bonds.

The type of engine you have, from turbocharged to supercharged, plays a big part in determining the type of motor oil you should choose for your car. When selecting a motor oil, you need to be assured that it will protect your engine in the best way possible.

Thanks to the unique properties of Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil, even motorists who have high performance engines¹ can select this motor oil with the peace of mind it will provide long lasting engine performance and protection so that you can enjoy the drive, no matter how extreme. In addition to this, Shell Helix also has low viscosity, low-friction formulations, which can result in up to 3.3% greater fuel economy².

Modern day driving is putting additional stresses on engines which is making the role of motor oils even more important. Whether it’s the stop-start traffic of modern cities, or the open road of country driving, the needs of your engine will be different with every journey making it essential that your motor oil can handle every driving experience.

Thankfully, Shell Helix Ultra is designed to perform in all driving conditions, whether in the city or adventurous off-roading, so that you can truly embrace the passion for the open road.

If your passion for driving takes you to the extreme, it is important to ensure you are protecting your engine for all types of temperature stresses that impact engine performance, such as cold starts and heat from engine stress. Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic has superior low temperature flow even at -40 degrees below. Its lower viscosity also allows it to flow up to 3X faster at low temperatures for easier starting and quicker engine warmup³. Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic also stays strong in temperatures up to 1000°C to help keep the engine performing and key engine parts protected.⁴

Explore the Shell LubeMatch tool to choose the right car engine/motor oil.