Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
I won't debate the "good for HUEI" aspect of Shell vs MC. I haven't seen enough evidence of that yet one way or another, but it's certainly open to debate. But none of that's really to the point of this discussion, or at least it's a separate one.
But D-Roc, how can you say there's a BIG difference?
cSt @ 100C- 15.2 vs 15.7 (MC vs Shell) +.5 cSt
cSt @ 40C- 114 vs 120 (MC vs Shell) +6 cSt
pour point- -38 vs -40 (MC vs Shell) +2 deg.F
CCS is difficult to compare because the MC chart doesn't list the same specs (-30 vs -25) as the Rotella one. They look close, however (6500 cP @ -30 for the MC vs 6400 cP @ -25). I would like to know how these can be contrasted better given the difference in rating temps?
Anyway, my only point is that the specs seem way too close to have any noticeable effects on a Florida startup (a bone-chilling 70 degrees F perhaps, you lucky so and so). If someone can explain how such small differences could have such dramatic effects, I am more than willing to be convinced.
And Toy4x4runner, I'll take the extra precaution of saying (just to rise above the harsh way posts can sound) I intend no insult to you. If it's not the placebo effect (which is real and we've all suffered from it), then there have to be other factors involved and that what I'm interested in finding out about.
Finally, I just looked through the used oil analysis on HUEI engines and don't see a great deal of difference, on average, between Chevron and Shell used oil analysis? I'll grant that DELO is a probably a half-step above Rotella in many respects, but there's not dramatic difference in performance that I can see... factoring in the odd anomaly.
I felt there was a big difference due to the fact that the Rotella was tested at -20C for 6400 and the MC came in at 6500 for -30C....Being from a much colder area I usually look for oils that have good cold weather characteristics. Most 15W40's are tested at -20, and its odd (although) a benefit in cold temps I'm sure for the MC to come in at -30 with the same (or very close to the numbers that the Rotella does at -20.
Look closely, the Rotella 15W40 is tested on that pdf at -20, and the 10W30 at -25 (like most 10W30 HDEO's) Shell's pdf is not the most user friendly in that aspect, but I do believe the 15W40 is for the -20 number....