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Our Oils Put To The Test
We carry out extensive tests on Rimula oils, both in our laboratories and in field trials all over the world. From rugged, Arctic wastelands to congested tropical cities, Rimula delivers the very best to your engine, offering superb protection and performance in all conditions.
International Field Testing
Germany
Tests carried out during trials in Germany showed that Rimula X provides excellent engine protection even at 60,000km oil drain intervals.
The tests, on six Scania 114 trucks travelling a total distance of 409,202km, resulted in a very low iron wear rate of 0.5ppm/1000km and low levels of soot and sludge even at 60,000km.
Despite hauling 40 tonnes of coal dust, the Scania engines were mild on oil use. Rimula X recorded approximately 20% higher TBN retention at the end of the drain than the CG-4 oils that were nearing the end of their lives at 60,000km.
New Zealand
Rimula X provided excellent protection against wear and corrosion at 15,000km oil drain intervals in tests carried out in New Zealand. The new Rimula X demonstrated up to 50% higher TBN at the end of drain than the CG-4 reference formulation.
The tests, on four Hino FS1K trucks that travelled a total distance of 82,708km, show wear rates are under control, but higher than other brands of trucks.
Based on this test Rimula X is recommended for Hino engines. However, the limited data available makes further interpretation difficult.
Thailand
Rimula X provides excellent protection against wear and corrosion at 20,000km oil drain intervals, according to tests carried out recently in Thailand.
The tests found that engine wear was less than 0.6ppm iron per 1000km, while TBN retention remained excellent at around 8mg KHO/mg at the end of the drain.
The results were recorded over six days of 24 hour operation for two Izuzu FXZ23N2PT trucks hauling 22-tonne loads over a total distance of 123,008km. Based on this performance, Rimula X seems an excellent choice for Izuzu trucks.
USA
Rimula X lived up to its reputation for high performance under severe conditions during fleet tests in the USA.
Tests on six trucks at the Henderson Trucking Company demonstrated that Rimula X offers excellent control of engine wear and longer oil life in heavy duty, high soot loaded engines.
Rimula X was still protecting the engines in the six Freightliner Century Class Trucks after an extended oil drain interval of 80,000km despite heavy loads. Soot wearing remained low at 2-2.5% at 50,000 even in these high soot engines. The results were recorded after a total of 387,360km of haulage across the USA.
Shell and MAN Trucks and Buses
Many of the components manufactured in the MAN plant are factory-filled with Shell lubricants. Indeed, MAN relies on Shell's ability to provide first class lubricants because its customers want peace of mind when they buy a high quality truck.
Shell has also supported MAN in the European truck race championship for many years. Fritz Kreuzpointner won the 1999 title for MAN with Shell lubricants and fuel and Gert Koeber was No.3 in Europe in 2000. Now "Fritz K" is back in business - driving a MAN 19.414, 1400 PS with ZF automatic transmission. Once again, his MAN truck will be using Shell lubricants and fuel - a proven, successful combination.
We also sponsored MAN in Italy's prestigious Mille Miglia event. When MAN launched its new TG-A truck on the market in 2000, journalists from across Europe were invited to drive six trucks through the historic and beautiful course of the Mille Miglia in Italy. MAN chose us as their partner for fuels and lubricants because MAN trusts Shell as a reliable partner for fuel economy lubricants.
And in MAN's franchised bus workshop in Istanbul's giant Esenler Intercity Bus Terminal, Rimula Ultra and Rimula Super engine oils, along with Shell Spirax gear oils and Retinax greases, are the driveline lubricants of choice. Shell Turkey also supplies nine other MAN franchised workshops across the country.
Shell and Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Buses
One result of this close collaboration was a brand new diesel engine oil, specifically formulated to eliminate the build-up of black sludge in engines - a technology that remains a key element in all lubrications we have developed.
Shell and Mercedes-Benz have also worked together to develop heavy duty diesel engine oils that increase fuel economy and reduce exhaust emissions. One attempt to extend the maximum oil drain interval for Mercedes-Benz MB Actros Trucks to 120,000km resulted in the creation of Shell Rimula Ultra 5W-30.
Shell Lubricants - the preferred factory-fill oils
With Shell Rimula, Shell Spirax and Shell Retinax LX, we supply the greater part of factory-fill oil for Mercedes-Benz heavy duty trucks in Europe.
Shell supplies all the initial lubricants and fuels for the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz bus factory in Istanbul, Turkey.
We also supply all fluids and fuels for the production of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Vito in the Mercedes-Benz production plant in Vitoria, Spain.
In addition, Shell Global Solutions (Deutschland) PAE is working with Mercedes-Benz plants to test engines and develop lubricants technology, as well as to carry out research into reducing exhaust emissions.