Shell Helix

Over time, oils degrade, and carbon deposits from a sludge that builds up in your engine damaging it and reducing your car's performance. In the animation sludge build up is caused by carbon particles sticking together.

Shell Helix Ultra motor oil uses Shell’s ultimate cleansing technology to offer maximum performance and protection, plus greater efficiency and fuel economy.

Shell Helix Ultra: Shell Helix Ultra's active cleansing agents prevent dirt particles sticking together to form sludge. Shell Helix Ultra removes 5 times more dirt and sludge*.

A normal mineral oil: Normal mineral oils can allow dirt particles to stick together and form sludge on engine surfaces. This can prevent proper lubrication and could lead to premature engine failure.

*Tested against an API SL/CF mineral oil

The latest modern engines operate at extremes of temperature and often allow longer service intervals. Without the right oil, this puts stress on engine parts and can lead to reduced responsiveness and poorer performance.

What is Shear?

The hot, stressful environment of a modern engine can literally tear normal oils to pieces. This action is known as shearing. If oils shear they lose viscosity and this can expose an engine to more friction and wear.

Shell Helix Ultra: Oil molecules resist being torn apart by shear forces. Viscosity and engine protection are maintained.

A normal mineral oil: Oil molecules can be torn apart by shear forces. Viscosity is reduced and friction and wear increases.

Another cause of engine stress is oxidation. Under some conditions oil can become less durable. This can lead to a less responsive engine and even corrosion.

What is oxidation?

Oil goes black from oxidation when free radicals in the oil react with the oil to produce sticky black carbon particles that can coat engine parts. The speed of oxidation increases with temperature, leading to:

• Unwanted oil thickening, reducing engine efficiency and cold starting
• Formation of black sludge that can block oil ducts, causing oil starvation to vital working parts of the engine
• Formation of acids that can corrode metals in the engine, leading to engine failure

Shell Helix Ultra: Anti-oxidants intercept and neutralise free radical particles that would otherwise oxidise the oil.

A normal mineral oil: Lower levels of anti-oxidants mean that free radical particlescan oxidise oil molecules, leading to sludge formation.