Frequently asked questions about engine oil

Need help finding the right engine oil for your car? From the importance of engine maintenance to the selection of the right lubricant, Shell specialists respond to the most significant questions about engine lubricants and Shell Helix oil.

Tips & Advice

¹ _{Based on DV6C (CEC L-106-16) and OM646LA bio test (CEC L-104-16) results compared with ACEA C5 specification SAE 0W-20.}

² _{Based on the ACEA M 111 Fuel Economy results compared with the industry reference oil}

³ _{Compared with SAE J300 limit based on ASTM D4684}

⁴ _{Compared with SAE J300 limit based on ASTM D4684}

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Shell Helix car engine oils

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Shell engine oils for independent workshops

Shell are committed to helping you provide your customers with the best service and products available. Our experience over the years working with independent workshops have supported build offers that can help drive your business.

Frequently asked questions about engine oil

How does the engine/motor oil protect my car engine? #_114 path, #_114 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_114 { }

What is car engine/motor oil made from? #_115 path, #_115 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_115 { }

Mineral engine oil vs synthetic engine oil #_116 path, #_116 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_116 { }

Fully Synthetic vs Semi Synthetic engine/motor oil #_117 path, #_117 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_117 { }

What is Fully Synthetic engine/motor oil? #_118 path, #_118 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_118 { }

Why should I upgrade to a fully synthetic engine/motor oil? #_119 path, #_119 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_119 { }

How do engine/motor oils help your engine perform? #_120 path, #_120 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_120 { }

How often should I change car engine/motor oil and is it important to do this? #_121 path, #_121 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_121 { }

How should I dispose of used car engine/motor oil? #_122 path, #_122 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_122 { }

How do I choose the right car engine/motor oil? #_123 path, #_123 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_123 { }

Do drivers really need to worry about using synthetic engine/motor oils if they have their car serviced regularly? #_124 path, #_124 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_124 { }

How do I ensure my engine is performing at its best? #_125 path, #_125 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_125 { }

Does using a synthetic engine/motor oil save you money? #_126 path, #_126 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_126 { }

Will I really notice the difference if I don’t make frequent engine/motor oil changes for my car? #_127 path, #_127 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_127 { }

Can I keep topping up my car engine/motor oil? #_128 path, #_128 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_128 { }

Why is the choice of car engine/motor oil so important? #_129 path, #_129 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_129 { }

Why is a car engine/motor oil’s ability to cleanse important? #_130 path, #_130 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_130 { }

Synthetic engine/motor oil is not compatible with conventional engine/motor oil. #_131 path, #_131 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_131 { }

Black oil is dirty oil and must be changed. #_132 path, #_132 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_132 { }

Synthetic engine/motor oil cannot be used to “break in” an engine. #_133 path, #_133 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_133 { }

Are aftermarket oil additives beneficial? #_134 path, #_134 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_134 { }

Synthetic engine/motor oil will make seals in older engines leak. #_135 path, #_135 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_135 { }

Why is it important to use the right viscosity? #_136 path, #_136 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_136 { }

If I use good synthetic engine/motor oil, can I change my oil less frequently? #_137 path, #_137 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_137 { }

What causes sludge? #_138 path, #_138 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_138 { }

Why is it important to change the car engine/motor oil? #_139 path, #_139 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_139 { }

Tips & Advice

The importance of Motor Oil in protecting your engine so you can drive on #_140 path, #_140 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_140 { }

Navigating Motor Oil #_141 path, #_141 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_141 { }

1. Understand the benefits of fully synthetic motor oil #_142 path, #_142 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_142 { }

2. Understand what type of engine you have and what you need to protect it #_143 path, #_143 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_143 { }

3. Know your driving routine #_144 path, #_144 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_144 { }

4. Protect your engine from the extremes #_145 path, #_145 polygon { fill: currentColor; } #_145 { }

More in the Motorist section

Shell Helix car engine oils

Shell Spirax axle and transmission fluids

Shell engine oils for independent workshops