Formula Shell Motor Oil - Help with numbers

[Craddosk]

So hopefully I don't confuse too many people here with these numbers. I've recently been purchasing my engine oil from Costco Canada Warehouses. Cost is $2.50 per liter (quart) which is the most affordable I have found anywhere. So, after some research, found that it's a mineral oil blend, though Shell does produce both Synthetic and Synthetic blend oils.

After extensive digging, I found this document ( Shell Canada Technical Document

What confuses me, specifically, is the chart on pg. 32, detailing several key specifics from their oils. Looking at the 5w30, NON-synthetic blend (4th column), at the Cold Cranking Simulator (CCS) and pumping viscosity, what units are they in? While comparing the numbers to Shell's 100% synthetic, it seems to indicate that lower is better, but on what sort of scale? Is it similar to the viscosity index, where while it is higher, a difference of 13 is not excessive enough to lead that there is significant differences (5w30 mineral= 154, Synthetic 167).

Thus, the full question is, based on the data from the document provided by Shell, how significant is the differences between the 100% synthetic, the synthetic blend, and the mineral oils based on their viscosity at cold temperatures, their cold cranking simulator, and their viscosity index?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Gary Allan]

Look at the MRV numbers. That should answer most of your questions.


MRV for regular Formula shell is 17201 @ -35F
MRV for SB 5w-30 is 15865 @ -35F
MRV for Full-S 52-30 is 9208 @ -35F


cP=Centipoise http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity

 

[Craddosk]

So, just to make sure my sleep deprived brain is thinking correctly,

The MRV is an indication of how well the oil can be pumped at low temperatures. Thus, the lower the number corresponds to the less difficulty it is to pump at that temperature.

So, as an example, the regular formula is 17201, while the 9208 for Full indicates that it is easier to pump by a factor of ~2. However, beyond this, these numbers don't mean much to me. So, can someone help explain? What are reasonable numbers for motor oil? How do these numbers compare to other oils? I know AMSOIL claims that their oil pumps at a much lower temperature than Shell Formula.

Really, I'm hoping to understand, from a more technical standpoint, whether the Formula Shell (regular) is worth it at $2.50CAN per liter, and if its able to stand up to the rigors of a Northern winter, where temperatures regularly drop below -20C with extended periods below -30C.

Just a point to note, its -35 degrees C that Shell is using, not the Fahrenheit, though the difference is relatively minor.

 

[SLCraig]

I've run FS in Canadian winters. I found my engine turned over a little easier with FS than with Castrol conventional.

Many -20 stars on a SOHC Saturn, no problems ever with the FS in the sump.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
beyond this, these numbers don't mean much to me.


Me neither. Even those who explain it to you are already in the zone and can't articulate it without sounding like a technical paper.

It gives you an index of relative pumping ability.

 

[Craddosk]

Cool. Good to know. So far it's the most affordable (read cheapest) oil that I'm able to find so far, at $2.50 per litre. Anyone know of cheaper, but still quality, oil? I'm looking to stay with dino oil, as I'm still doing 3month/5000K OCI.

 

[Cxserver]

Part Source has a %50 off coupon(google it,its now on Red Flag Deals) when you buy 6 Formula shell 1Ls, so 2.14 a L. Walmart has Castrol Gtx & Valvoline for $10.69 4L jugs.

 

[iExcel]

Originally Posted By: Craddosk
Cool. Good to know. So far it's the most affordable (read cheapest) oil that I'm able to find so far, at $2.50 per litre. Anyone know of cheaper, but still quality, oil? I'm looking to stay with dino oil, as I'm still doing 3month/5000K OCI.
Costco, from time to time, has a $6 off promotion on the FS oil. $6 off per case of 12.

 

[Carzzz]

FS doesn't have 5W-20 100% synthetic
I would be wondering who make Motomaster F1 5W-20 syn...

I checked the Motomaster ATF 4L jug has the same last 4 digit codes on FormulaShell ATF

 

[Cxserver]

Shell makes Mototmaster. On the msds on Canadian tire it says so. StevieC did voas on it aswell,looks identicle to Formula Shell synthetic.

 

[Carzzz]

FormulaShell has only 10W-30 & 5W-30 Synthetic
Hence, Motomaster F1 syn 5W-20 is not likely to be same ingredient as FS...

 

[Cxserver]

DId Shell use to make 5w20 synthetic? http://www.amazon.com/Formula-Shell-5077264-Synthetic-5W-20/dp/B0025X84C6

I seen it befor,maybe they discontinued it?

 

[Johnny]

According to this technical data sheet they do make the synthetic in a 5W-20.


http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140002242607_2B6A.DOC

 

[Carzzz]

thanks guys!
I was using link on the first post!