In-Depth Review: Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Recently, I’ve been unhappy with the oil I’ve been using. I decided to try a new brand and type of synthetic oil for my diesel engine. After some careful research that led me to be very impressed with their ten years or 500,000-mile warranty, I decided that Shell Rotella Full Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil was the obvious choice.
Shell makes strong claims on how well their products protect against the damage associated with sludge and engine wear from regular use, and I was excited to see if their product stood up to their promises. (Spoiler: it does.)
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Why Should You Try Shell Rotella’s T6 Synthetic 5W-40 Oil for Your Diesel Engine?
While you should always check your manual for the correct oil for your specific vehicle, the T6 Synthetic 5W-40 oil is a fantastic oil for most diesel engines, including personal vehicles and semi-tractor-trailers. In my research, I found that it was rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Shell Rotella’s website and rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 780 reviews on Amazon.
One reviewer said he had been using this product for over 12 years for all of his vehicles. Another reviewer jokingly said it was so good he was going to replace milk with it in cereal. (Don’t try that at home). A third said that he and many of his professional mechanic colleagues recommended this product and considered it the best synthetic oil on the market.
I was encouraged to see how customers loyally continued using T6 Synthetic 5W-40 over the years. Ratings like that are very impressive, but I did some more research on Rotella Shell’s website about this product and was blown away with what I found. They genuinely put this oil through the wringer to prove its abilities, and it exceeded the expectations.
What are the Key Features of the T6 Synthetic 5W-50 Oil?
This oil lives up to Shell Rotella’s promises to protect your engine and enhance its performance. They designed it to go above and beyond API CK-4 performance standards. The T6 Synthetic 5W-40 oil can:
Enhance Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy– Without compromising any of the protection you’d expect from Rotella Shell’s synthetic oils, the T6 5W-40 can provide up to a 1.5% increase in fuel economy capability in comparison to 15W-40 oils, a big money saver for someone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel.
Work With Your Emissions System– T6 5W-40 upholds your vehicle’s emission compliance. It is formulated to be low-ash to help control blocking or poisoning of your vehicle’s exhaust after-treatment devices.
Protect Your Engine Against Wear and Tear– Normal wear and tear is expected in any engine, but the T6 5W-40 synthetic oil provides outstanding protection, adding years to the life of your engine. In testing, this synthetic oil protected against over 50 of damage caused by normal usage in 10 different passing engine tests with 30 AP CK-4 and OEM wear test parameters.
Resist Oxidation– Oxidation can be a bad thing for both the fuel economy of your vehicle and the cleanliness of your engine. In the Volvo T-13, Shell Rotella T6 5W-50 performed outstandingly, showing resistance to viscosity increase and acidic build-up. The results well well under the API CK-4 limits for oxidation (Peak IR) and viscosity increase.
Provide Outstanding Shear Stability– Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 Oil will maintain optimal pressure in your diesel engine by resisting viscosity loss through sheer.
Protect Against Engine Deposits– Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 oil is formulated with advanced dispersant additives in its synthetic oil base to provide unbeatable protection against dirt, soot, and other common contaminants in comparison to other conventional heavy-duty diesel oils.
Resist Heat Breakdown– Shell Rotell’s T6 5W-40 is incredibly resistant to heat breakdown, leaving your engine well protected all through its operation.
Maintain Low-Temperature Flow– This oil will reach all parts of your engine, no matter the temperature. In trials, Shell Rotell’s T6 5W-40 was much faster than T4 15W-50 oil in an engine at -34 °C, showing your engine will be protected no matter the temperature.
Why Did I Choose Shell Rotella’s T6 Synthetic 5W-40 Oil for My Diesel Engine?
After all of my research, it was a natural choice to reach for that purple bottle. While there are hundreds of options on the market for motor oil, Shell Rotella has created a product that stands up to the test. They don’t just make the claims about their product; they have conducted extensive testing and have thoroughly proven that their synthetic oil is one of the best available.
I couldn’t ignore the numbers they arrived at through their testing. A 1.5% fuel efficiency increase might appear to be a small number, but considering all the driving we do day-to-day, a 1.5% increase can really save some money in the long run.
The thing that sealed the deal for me was Shell Rotella’s Lubrication Limited Warranty policy. They stand behind their product so firmly that for up to 10 years or 500,000 miles, they will replace up to 10 diesel engine parts if they fail due to wear and tear, regardless if you take your vehicle to be serviced or if you change your oil on your own.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this product outperforms the average expectations of motor oil. It goes beyond merely lubricating and protecting your engine against wear and tear; it improves the performance of your vehicle overall. I would rate this product a 5 out of 5 stars. It does what Shell Rotella promised and then some. Numbers don’t lie; you can trust the life of your engine with Shell Rotella’s T6 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil.
With all of these features, it still has a reasonable price point, making it accessible for any motor enthusiast. I highly recommend you try Shell Rotella’s T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil for your vehicle next time you need an oil change.
