Formula Shell 5w-30

[The Critic]

Picked up a case today @ $0.49/qt. I have been using Chevron Supreme 5w30 for the last few years, but this time it was Shell that was on sale.

Is this oil any better or worse than your normal API SM conventional oil? I usually do 7500 mile drains.

 

[pbm]

Critic:
I think Shell is a good dino and is no better or worse than Exxon, Mobil, Texaco etc... If I were going to go 7500 miles on a dino (and I don't think I would) it would be Pennzoil or maybe GTX.

 

[Forest]

If your manual says 7,500 OCI I think Shell would be just fine. It doesn't have as high of flashpoint as Chevron so check the dip stick every 500 miles. You've read Consumer Reports New York Taxi test right? I've drove through NY (If you've read my posts I've been all over working on defense projects) and those Taxi's take a beating. Consumer Reports tore the engines down and saw little or no wear using dino up to 10K miles. Run a UOA at 5,000 OCI and see what you get. If the report looks good, you've stuck gold.
Can't beat the price.

I'd say you're good to go.

 

[The Critic]

Manual says 3000 mile for severe service, which is what I do. (Mostly short trip driving)

For the last 60,000 miles or so, I've been changing the oil about every 7500 miles. Sometimes even longer. It consumes one quart every 2-3k miles though. The engine appeared very clean when I removed the valve cover last year at a little under 100k. However I just completed a 5k Auto-RX clean phase (by accident), and the oil filter that I removed was VERY heavy.

Now I don't know what's going on. :dunno:

 

[Forest]

Manual says 3000 mile for severe service, which is what I do. (Mostly short trip driving)

For the last 60,000 miles or so, I've been changing the oil about every 7500 miles. Sometimes even longer. It consumes one quart every 2-3k miles though. The engine appeared very clean when I removed the valve cover last year at a little under 100k. However I just completed a 5k Auto-RX clean phase (by accident), and the oil filter that I removed was VERY heavy.

Now I don't know what's going on. :dunno:

The clean engine is from your maintenance and good Chevron detergents. But other areas of your engine could have brought on the grit.(likely the short trips) I don't use Auto-RX never have and never will because I never needed it. I think you're okay just make your first OCI at 3-4K miles. Check the oil every 500 miles if need to top up. If all looks good 5K miles with UOA. If that looks good like I said you've stuck gold.

 

[Merkava_4]

From a car's perspective: $0.49/qt. oil + 7500 mile drains = cheap and mean.

 

[parimento1]

I personally swear by shell, it's reasonably priced and performs well, doesn't burn a drop in my engine with 126,000 miles and its 5W30, which is even more impressive. Even after 3000 niles, the oil still looks good, its not black. Just my 2 cents

 

[ekpolk]

Our Target stores are carrying several grades of Formula shell for $1.49 per quart, while all the other conventionals they offer are at least buck more. Were it not for the ocean of green GC I'm still holding, I'd be tempted at that price. Good find Mike. Let us know if you see anything out of the ordinary using it.

 

[Gary Allan]

Buy another case. Consider it an investment in future avoided costs. I'd buy a couple of cases if it were available just for the kiddies that can't take advantage of extended drains.

 

[N Heat]

Going on tidbits I've read here, am I correct in assuming that the Formula Shell is similiar to Pennzoil and QS with a lesser add pack?

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: N Heat
Going on tidbits I've read here, am I correct in assuming that the Formula Shell is similiar to Pennzoil and QS with a lesser add pack?


According to Johnny and Terry, they are all three totally different oils.

 

[deeter16317]

I've been running 5w30 Shell in my Outback for 5k OCIs for a while...it usually drains nearly the same color/clarity as when I put it in...

I am either going to consider changing to 5w20 Shell or do a 10k OCIs on the 5w30...