Motor oil is an essential automotive fluid. Its task is to ensure lubrication of the working parts of the power unit, thereby reducing friction and, consequently, wear. In addition to this main function, modern motor oils also create a durable film on the surface of engine parts that protects metals from corrosion, from the negative effects of high and low temperatures, and from the formation of harmful deposits.
Most modern lubricants also include cleaning additives. They are designed to remove deposits that inevitably arise during engine operation, as well as to prevent their formation. Deposits - sludge, varnish, carbon deposits - worsen engine performance and accelerate its wear.
Shell motor oil is one of the most popular both in Russia and in other countries of the world. High quality, excellent performance, wide product range - these are the main advantages of this brand.
About Shell
The British-Dutch company Shell is one of the flagships of the modern lubricants market. Over its more than century-long history, it has achieved popularity all over the world. Motor and transmission oils from Shell have long become synonymous with quality and reliability.
The Russian market is supplied with motor oils for passenger cars, trucks, heavy construction, mining, agricultural machinery, railway and aviation transport, as well as transmission oils.
Where is Shell oil produced for distribution in Russia? It is produced in the European Union countries, as well as at the Russian plant in the city of Torzhok.
Description of the Shell Helix Ultra line
Helix Ultra are completely synthetic lubricants.
The main technology used in the production of Shell Helix Ultra oil is PurePlus - a production method not from petroleum products, but from natural gas. Thanks to its use, a perfectly clean base is obtained and cleanliness is maintained inside the motor.
Shell Helix Ultra oils are produced for the latest generations of high-tech gasoline and diesel engines of passenger vehicles and light trucks. Sold in metallic plastic canisters in various shades of silver-gray and bronze.
1.1 Shell Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30
One of the company's newest developments. Effectively protects systems for neutralizing the toxicity of secondary gases. Maintains cleanliness inside the engine, comparable to the fact that it just came off the assembly line, effectively removing various types of deposits, preventing the formation of new ones. This substance has a very high level of engine protection against wear. In addition, it contributes to fuel efficiency of up to 2.6%.
1.2 Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W-30
Focused on the latest environmentally friendly engines equipped with a variety of exhaust gas neutralization systems. In addition, it helps to reduce fuel costs to one degree or another.
1.3 Shell Helix Ultra 0 W-40
Lubricant for the latest internal combustion engines of modern vehicles. It has very low viscosity and friction coefficient. Saves fuel with a successful combination of circumstances up to 1.9%. Favors trouble-free engine starting at low temperatures. Effectively cleans from various types of deposits.
1.4 Shell Helix Ultra A5/ B5 0 W-30
The distinctive features of this product and its indisputable advantages are minimal viscosity and friction coefficient. Allows you to save up to 3% of fuel, but the exact figure will depend on many factors, including the quality of the fuel itself and operating conditions. Favors trouble-free starting of a cold engine in cold weather and provides high-quality protection against corrosion.
1.5 Shell Helix Ultra SN 0W-20
A lubricant with energy-saving properties - that is, the ability to save fuel. Its other significant advantages are minimal volatility, excellent cleaning from deposits and protection against wear.
1.6 Shell Helix Ultra 5 W-40
Has an incredibly long service life. At the same time, it retains its protective and cleaning properties throughout this period. It thoroughly cleans the engine from all types of dirt - sludge, soot, soot, varnish deposits.
1.7 Shell Helix Ultra Diesel 5 W-40
Suitable for modern power units operating on diesel fuels. Maintains cleanliness and performance of turbocharged, intercooled and direct fuel injection systems.
1.8 Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10W-60
Suitable for modern sports and racing cars. It protects bearings very well from wear under crazy loads during competitions. The Ferrari concern took part in the development and testing of the oil, which uses it for its racing and high-performance engines.
1.9 Shell Helix Ultra 0W-30
It boasts low viscosity and a minimal coefficient of friction. Saves fuel under favorable conditions by up to 2.2%. Provides engine power at a consistently high level and fuel economy even after exceeding 100,000 km.
Label
Among the entire range of the brand, the most common counterfeit oil is Shell Helix Ultra. The reason for this is its high price and demand in the market. Therefore, you must be very vigilant when purchasing Ultra.
The label of the entire Shell Helix range is glued perfectly evenly. Distortions, air bubbles and other defects are unacceptable. The print quality is always high. The presence of spelling errors in the original is unacceptable.
Original label
Bent label on fake
Unevenly applied label
After examining the front side, it is recommended to look at the back. The sticker contains text in several languages. It is important to check that the description is correct and that there are no spelling errors. Incorrectly written letters can give away a fake.
Letters from the original
Two different “f”s for a counterfeit
If possible, you should check the font used. All languages need attention. For example, the fake in question has a difference in the letters “f” in Kazakh. On a fake, the symbol is crossed out with a line.
Crossed out "f" on a fake
Letter "f" of corporate label
It is convenient to evaluate the quality of printing by the image of the piston. On fakes it doesn't shine enough. The branded label never has a pronounced graininess.
Piston
2. Description of the Shell Helix Ultra Professional line
Helix Ultra Professional are completely synthetic lubricants, the production of which uses the manufacturer’s own development as the main technology - PurePlus, a technology that allows you to obtain an impeccably pure oil base not from petroleum products, but from natural gas.
The peculiarity of this particular series of liquids is that each of them was developed to meet the requirements of a specific engine and vehicle manufacturer.
Shell Helix Ultra Professional is designed for use in gasoline and diesel engines of various designs. They are bottled in dark gray canisters.
2.1 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AB- L 0 W-30
Created for the latest generations of power units of modern vehicles. It has excellent cleaning characteristics and can dissolve even old deposits. Developed specifically for engines manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, including those equipped with particulate filters.
2.2 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AB 5W-30
Featuring the manufacturer's unique PurePlus cleaning technology, the product has been designed to meet the standards of Mercedes-Benz high-efficiency engines, as well as engines of other vehicles with suitable specifications.
2.3 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AF 5W-20
This lubricant is designed to meet the rigors of Ford's latest high-performance powertrains, including the latest Ford Ecoboost engines.
2.4 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AF 5W-30
Oil for the latest maximum efficiency engines produced by Ford, as well as those with suitable specifications.
2.5 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AF-L 5W-30
Created for high performance engines of the last several generations, including motors of vehicles produced by such giants of the automotive industry as Ford, Jaguar and Mazda of the corresponding specification.
2.6 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AG 5W-30
Motor oil with excellent detergent, cleaning and dispersing properties for the latest General Motors power units. Not only removes existing deposits inside, but also prevents the formation of new ones.
2.7 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AM-L 5W-30
Modern, excellent cleaning and dispersing oil, created to meet the strict requirements for the latest engines from different manufacturers. Unlike its “brothers” in the line, it was not created to meet the requirements of any specific automaker.
2.8 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AV-L 0W-30
One of the company's latest developments. High-tech lubricant with very high detergency and dispersant properties. Developed to meet the requirements of engines produced by Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda.
2.9 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AP-L 5W-30
An oil designed for both gasoline and diesel modern engines of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, as well as other manufacturers, subject to suitable specifications. Also suitable for some diesel engines with particulate filters, including Honda, Toyota, Land Rover.
2.10 Shell Helix Ultra Professional AV 5W-40
An oil designed to meet the requirements of modern high-performance engines, including those produced by Audi and Volkswagen, as well as others, subject to the appropriate specifications.
2.11 Shell Helix Ultra ECT AH 5W-30
Oil created to meet the requirements of highly efficient Hyundai engines. Suitable for engines equipped with modern systems for additional exhaust gas neutralization. Keeps particulate filters clean and operational for a long time. Provides fuel savings due to significantly reduced friction and uniform lubrication.
Description of the SHELL HELIX HX8 line
Helix HX8 is a fully synthetic automotive lubricant with superior cleaning capabilities, suitable for the harshest operating conditions. They have high performance characteristics, excellent cleaning and protective qualities.
Designed for the most extreme conditions of use. Due to the proprietary additives used, Shell Helix HX8 provides the highest degree of protection against wear of the power unit.
Shell HX8 oils are distributed in light silver plastic canisters.
3.1 Shell Helix HX8 Synthetic 5W-30
It is famous for its very high cleaning abilities. Significantly extends engine life. Does not wear out even in extremely difficult operating conditions.
3.2 Shell Helix HX8 Synthetic 5 W-40
The cleaning properties of this lubricant are very high. It extends the life of the motor and prevents it from wearing out even under the most unfavorable conditions. Approved for both standard and long drain intervals.
Description of the SHELL HELIX HX7 line
Helix HX7 is a series of lubricants based on synthetic and mineral technologies. What does it mean? This means that although the base is synthetic, the product also contains mineral ingredients.
Shell HX7 oils have higher technical characteristics compared to mineral auto lubricants, and a lower price compared to fully synthetic ones.
Shell Helix HX7 is sold in blue canisters.
4.1 Shell Helix HX7 5 W-30
An oil that ensures long-term cleanliness inside the power unit and its uninterrupted operation, extending its service life. Guarantees protection against wear during city driving with frequent stops at traffic lights and in traffic jams with subsequent starts, which are harmful to the engine. It also has constant viscosity and a minimal coefficient of friction. Helps reduce fuel consumption.
4.2 Shell Helix HX7 5 W-40
The use of this product guarantees impeccable cleanliness under the hood, increases the resource and performance of the power unit, allowing it to reach its full potential and operate at its maximum capabilities. It protects especially well against wear in the city, in start-stop mode.
4.3 Shell Helix HX7 10 W-40
Oil with excellent detergent and dispersant properties. It perfectly removes existing deposits and prevents new ones from forming. It is characterized by increased efficiency in almost any operating conditions and ensures high engine productivity.
4.4 Shell Helix HX7 Diesel 10W-40
Effectively cleans the engine and extends its trouble-free operation, without repairs or replacements. Additives have cleaning and dispersing properties. They reliably hold particles of deposits in suspension, preventing them from contaminating the components of the power unit.
Shell Helix oil. How to distinguish a fake from the original 2021.
In this short article I will tell you about the main differences between fake Shell Helix oil and the original
in new canisters from
2019
. Knowing the main differences from this article, you can safely go to the store and visually distinguish a fake Shell oil yourself if you come across one.
Attention!!! Checking the canister code under the label on the lid no longer works; counterfeiters have learned to select a set of numbers to validly check the code on the official website!
The difference between the original and the fake Shell in a 4 liter canister.
Let's start with the differences from the very beginning, with the canister lid. If you look at the sticker with the original lid, namely at the drop of oil from different angles, it will shimmer in different colors: green, then yellow and transition to reddish. An example in the picture below.
Fake oil does not have such a range of colors in the shimmer; in our case there is a dark red, which shimmers in tone to a dark color and that’s all. Example below.
Further, the original oil has a kind of ring around the perimeter around the sticker on the lid, it is not made very carefully and you can cling to it with your fingernail if you drag along the top of the lid. The fake does not have this, the lid is smooth.
Next is the rim of the lid, which shows that the canister has not been opened. On the original canister, this rim is smooth and has burrs at the soldering points, which can be felt by running your hand over the lid. The rim itself is very neat and smooth, the gap between the lid and the rim is even around the entire perimeter.
On a fake Shell oil can, this rim does not have burrs, and it also has sagging in the places between the solders of the lid and the rim.
On the back of the canister there is a sticker with information; you can find some differences between the original and the fake. To do this, you need to look at the description of the oil in Kazakh (KZ). You need to pay attention to the letter F
in words of description, for example “
daindalFan
”.
The original uses the Latin letter F
, but on the fake the letter is crossed out horizontally in both directions.
Also, the capital letter “ a
” has a difference; see the pictures for an example of writing on the original and the fake.
There is, of course, a possibility that this problem with fonts on fakes will soon be changed, but at the moment this note is still relevant.
Canister number and date of manufacture
, are located on the back of the canister at the bottom, under the sticker. On the original oil canister, this number is made very carefully; the letters and numbers are printed in the form of dots that have a distance between them and do not merge.
In the fake, we see that the dots of the series and the date in the font merge with each other, the application is not very neat.
Indirectly, also pay attention to the manufacturing quality of the canister itself. In the original canister, it is a little lame in the places where the halves are welded together. If, for example, you run your finger inside the hole in the handle, then there may be sharp plastic deposits at the joint - this is normal for the original.
The difference between the original and the fake Shell in a 1 liter canister.
At its core, in a one-liter bottle, the difference between the original and the fake Shell oil is almost the same. In fact, we have the same excellent features in the lid, this is the droplet overflow, which was described just above, and the fit of the ring with sagging between the solder points of the fake.
When printing on the back label, the note about the letters A and F, which was mentioned a little earlier in the examples, is also relevant. For now, this difference is relevant.
Well, the most eye-catching font is the font for writing the canister number and the date of its manufacture; on the fakes, the dots are still interconnected, but on the original they are spaced in letters and numbers. An example can be seen in the description of a 4-liter canister, everything is the same.
I would be glad if this material helps novice car enthusiasts who prefer Shell oil and do not want to run into a fake.
Description of the SHELL RIMULA line
Rimula is a classification of motor oils designed to protect diesel and gas engines of trucks, heavy specialized equipment, mining, construction, agricultural and other equipment. The series includes synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral lubricants.
The name of each Shell Rimula oil includes a code consisting of the letter R and a number. The letter is an abbreviation for "Rimulus", and the number indicates the degree of protection. The larger it is, the higher the protective properties.
Products of this classification of Shell oils are distributed in blue and different shades of gray canisters, plastic buckets, as well as red steel barrels.
5.1 Shell Rimula R6 LME SAE 5W-30
Synthetic lubricant with long drain intervals and energy-saving capabilities. Suitable for the latest engines of Euro 4, 5, 6 standards, with particulate filters and catalytic converters. Suitable for designs of previous generations. Used in European, American and Japanese cars.
5.2 Shell Rimula R6 LM SAE 10W-40
An effective synthetic lubricant with a very long service life. Suitable for modern diesel engines Euro 5, 6, with particulate filters and catalytic converters. It is also used in European, American, and Japanese cars of older generations. Suitable for operation on compressed natural gas in engines manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Volvo, KamAZ.
5.3 Shell Rimula R6 ME SAE 5W-30
An energy-saving, completely “artificial” substance with an incredibly long replacement interval. It will be an ideal option for European diesel vehicles, the “heart” of which meets Euro 2, 3, 4 eco-standards.
5.4 Shell Rimula R6 M SAE 10W-40
Synthetic with excellent performance and a very long replacement interval. It has proven itself to be excellent for highly efficient Euro 2, 3, 4, 5 engines of European, American, and Japanese production.
5.5 Shell Rimula R6 MS SAE 10W-40
Synthetic oil with excellent properties and an indecently long service life. It is used in large trucks and buses with Euro 4, 5 engines, without particulate filters, in addition, for Scania Euro 6 engines.
5.6 Shell Rimula R5 E SAE 10W-40
Energy-saving semi-synthetics with improved performance characteristics. Indispensable in modern highly efficient power units Euro 2, 3 and US 2002, produced in Europe, America and Japan. The best choice for superhuman loads and extreme testing.
5.7 Shell Rimula R5 M SAE 10 W-40
Semi-synthetic with excellent performance and long replacement interval. Its purpose is modern, highly efficient engines of Euro 2, 3 and some Euro 4 standards, produced in European countries.
5.8 Shell Rimula R5 LM SAE 10W-40
A semi-synthetic lubricant with very high performance characteristics and an impressive service life. Suitable for new highly efficient diesel engines manufactured in Europe, with particulate filters and catalytic converters, falling under Euro 4, 5.
5.9 Shell Rimula R5 LE SAE 10W-30
Semi-synthetic oil for heavy diesel engines. Its distinctive features are low ash content, low sulfur and phosphorus content (Low-SAPS). Saves fuel and combines well with modern gas neutralization systems.
5.10 Shell Rimula R4 L SAE 15 W-40
An extra-class mineral product that fully meets the requirements of the latest environmentally friendly diesel internal combustion engines Euro 4, 5 and US 2007. It performs well in trucks and specialized equipment. Protects when using high-sulfur fuel.
5.11 Shell Rimula R4 Multi SAE 10W-30
“Mineral water”, which significantly reduces engine wear, increases its service life, and provides high-quality protection from precipitation. It also protects the motor from breakdowns caused by overheating.
5.12 Shell Rimula R4 X SAE 15W-40
Mineral motor oil, which is intended for Euro 5, 4, 3, 2 and US 2002 engines. It is capable of completely neutralizing acids formed during the combustion process of fuel, which have a destructive effect on metal, and also perfectly reduces wear and prevents the formation of various types of precipitation.
5.13 Shell Rimula R3 NG 15W-40
Mineral substance. The only one of all Rimula lubricants is designed specifically for use in gas engines operating on 100% liquefied or compressed natural gas. Recommended for use in Cummins LNG/CNG engines.
How do these lines differ from each other?
Different lines of Shell oils differ from each other in their composition, production technology, additives used and, accordingly, scope of application. For example, for passenger cars, Shell Helix HX8 or Ultra oils are a good choice.
Shell Helix HX7 or HX8 offer the highest degree of protection under the most extreme operating conditions. Shell Helix Ultra or Ultra Professional - high cleaning properties and the PurePlus technology used, but with the difference that the former have a wider scope than the latter, developed for certain car brands.
As for the choice, Shell Helix Ultra or HX7, both of them are perfect for passenger cars, but the first are synthetic, and the second are semi-synthetic. Well, Shell Rimula lubricants have been developed for trucks and heavy equipment.
In order not to rack your brains over the differences between these oils and which one to give preference to, you should use the system for selecting oil by car brand on the official Shell website - it greatly simplifies the task.
Shell motor lubricants production technology
Shell Ultra motor oils, which are used in passenger cars, use PurePlus production technology. This technology can provide very large technical improvements for car owners. Shell Helix Ultra engine oil, made using this technology, first of all, maintains the specified viscosity much longer, has better energy-saving parameters and has reduced volatility when compared with other engine oils.
PurePlus technology allows the manufacturer to produce improved motor fluids that are best suited to modern power units, providing them with high cleanliness of engine components and elements, which could not be achieved using standard motor oils.
At the same time, the base oil is produced using the PurePlus technological process from natural gas using the gas-liquid conversion method and practically does not contain harmful impurities that may be present in products obtained from oil. Using high-quality additives together with such pure base materials, Shell produces motor lubricants that guarantee high protection against soot and corrosion, and cleanliness from impurities for modern engines.
Therefore, lubricants for various power units of the Shell Helix series are certified by almost all leading automobile companies in the world, which include: Mercedes-Benz, Ford, BMW, Ferrari, Volkswagen, Porsche, Honda, Renault, etc.
How to choose the right oil for your car
With such a variety of types of motor oils, it is easy to get confused and make a wrong choice, especially for a novice driver. And so does an experienced person when switching to an unfamiliar brand of oil. To prevent this from happening, there is Shell Lubematch - a lubricant selection system presented on the company’s official website.
In a matter of seconds, it helps to select Shell oil by car make, model, as well as by vehicle category - motorcycle, car or truck, and so on. You just need to indicate all the parameters of interest in a special form, and after a few moments the system will provide a list of oils that suit your requirements.
Shell Lubematch oil selection system
This is a unique oil selection system. Thanks to it, you just need to select the type of transport you are using (motorcycle, car or truck, industrial equipment, tractors, off-road vehicles, and so on). Then you should indicate the car make and model (in some cases classification will be required). By entering this data, you will receive a list of oils suitable for your vehicle.
Shell Lubematch
This approach to choosing oil minimizes time, moral and financial costs. You no longer need to check the suitability of the lubricant through personal experience and at the same time subject your vehicle’s engine to experiments.
Authentication
The main danger that awaits a motorist when purchasing Shell motor oil is a large number of counterfeits. This brand is popular and not cheap, so it is very attractive to scammers.
To distinguish fakes, the official website has a system for checking Shell oil for authenticity. Each canister (after 2016 release), under a protective sticker on the lid, has a 16-digit and QR code. Digital must be entered on the website www.ac.shell.com. If it is authentic, you will receive a confirmation. If it is fake, the system will redirect to the official website. The QR code can be scanned with a smartphone.
To check Shell oil by code, you need to purchase it. Therefore, in order not to have to pay twice, you need to carefully inspect the canister in the store for opening, pay attention to the quality and completeness of the information. Defects such as too roughly and unevenly sealed seams can give away a fake; puncture marks; broken integrity of the protective ring at the lid; labels lying unevenly, with folds, bubbles and glue drips; the color of the canister does not match that stated on the official website.
You should also pay attention to the barcode of the oil. It is produced in several countries around the world, but the code always begins with the number 50, regardless of the place of production. And the barcode is surrounded on all four sides by a white field. In addition, you need to buy Shell oil only at the “right” retail outlets. Read more about this.
Protective sticker
There is a single or double sticker on the cover of the branded Shell Helix. The lowest-grade fakes do not have it. Therefore, if there is no sticker on the cover, then it is better to avoid such lubricant.
Cover without sticker
Even the presence of a label does not guarantee the authenticity of the oil. To check the brand sticker, the brand used special protection. Therefore, you must follow the instructions below.
- Look at the large numbers on the sticker. They must duplicate the last characters of the barcode. The numbers on the branded sticker are white.
- Wet your finger with water.
- Moisten the white numbers. They will change color to red. If this does not happen, then the oil is fake.
White numbers
Wetting the finger
Redness of numbers
Shell Helix products are as well protected as branded lubricants from Motul, Mobile, Toyota, Elf, Zeke and Idemitsu brands. This confirms the presence of another protection. It is implemented using the image of a drop.
A drop
In the original, the image of a drop changes its color depending on the angle. A green tint is required. The fake is not able to change color. Some counterfeit products vary in color from dark red to brown.
Green drop at an angle
Burgundy drop on direct inspection
Drop at the fake
No color change
Drop at an angle
Drop comparison
Another check will require an ultraviolet lamp. Under its light, part of the label changes color.
Label in daylight
Sticker under UV light
Original Shell Helix oil has a double sticker or label with writing on both sides. There is a unique individual serial number. You can check it using the brand's official website. If you do not want to enter 16 digits, you can use the specified QR code as your smartphone.
Unique number
Entering the number on the official website
Successful serial number verification
If the unique code has been checked multiple times, information about this will be displayed. In this case, the chance that the oil being tested is a fake is 99%. Fraudsters often print the same branded serial number.
