Shell Rotella created the website to be a resource for topics such as the fundamentals of PC-11, impending changes, testing updates, and how it is expected to affect new, current and older engines when the category replaces API CJ-4 engine oils by 2017, the company says.
Shell is debuting the site and addressing PC-11 in detail this week at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting in Nashville.
“PC-11 is a constantly developing specification and new information is available regularly to guide the industry through the expected changes,” says Kate Faucher, global marketing projects lead for Shell Lubricants. “The new Shell Rotella interactive PC-11 website will serve as a resource for fleets, owner/operators and anyone driving a diesel powered pickup truck or operating equipment to learn more about PC-11 and how it will affect their business.”
One area where the company has focused its education is in the scope of PC-11, says Stede Granger, OEM technical manager, Shell Lubricants.
PC-11 can be split into two categories, PC-11A and PC-11B, Granger says. The former represents oils in the proposed category that share similar characteristics with current CJ-4 oils, while the latter are lower viscosity oils that will offer fuel economy benefits and be compatible with newer heavy-duty engines.
“The lower viscosity oils will be in the bottom of the W30 brackets,” he says.
And Shell says the new site covers both in great detail.
“With two subcategories and new engine hardware tests, there will be lots of questions about how the oils will be formulated and which oil should be used for different applications,” says Dan Arcy, OEM technical manager for Shell Lubricants. “As we formulate and test the new oils, Shell Lubricants can offer valuable resources to those operating diesel engines both on- and off-highway to support them through the transition over the next few years.”
The company says the site will cover the following topics and more:
- Why a new engine oil specification is needed
- How the two subcategories are different and will be distinguished in the marketplace
- What PC-11 will mean for fleets, owner/operators, construction, agriculture and diesel pickup trucks
- Changes to diesel engine technology
- The type of testing done to make PC-11 a reality
- How Shell Lubricants is developing its new Shell Rotella PC-11 heavy duty engine oils
Shell Lubricants also is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of Shell Rotella Extended Life Coolant – Nitrite Free (ELC NF).
“Shell Rotella ELC-NF was formulated to meet more severe operational conditions of modern, hot-running engines,” says Granger. “This is particularly important for new emission engines, especially those with exhaust gas recirculation.”
Shell Rotella ELC-NF provides improved protection of aluminum components including modern brazed aluminum heat exchangers and meets many of the newest OEM specifications. The formulation also may be used in fleets that include passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Shell says the coolant is proven for extended life operation in medium- and heavy-duty diesel, gasoline, LNG and natural gas vehicles and engines.
The new coolant also offers outstanding heat transfer that is superior to conventional coolants as well as excellent cavitation (pitting) and related damage protection on cylinder liners. It can help extend the life of water pumps, radiators and other cooling system components. Rotella ELC NF offers superior heat transfer compared to conventional coolants and is compatible with other extended-life coolants. Finally, it has no supplemental coolant additives (SCA) or extender use required for the life of the coolant, the company says.
Granger says the genesis of the new coolant came from discussions between Shell and its OEM partners, and a willingness by both parties to develop the best fluid to serve the engines in their customers’ fleets.
“As engine technology advances, we continue to develop new products such as the Shell Rotella ELC NF with our customer’s current and future maintenance needs in mind,” says Chris Guerrero, global marketing manager, Shell Lubricants. “We know our hardworking customers are looking for the best products that help them meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges for on- and off-highway engines. Shell is excited to offer a new product that fulfills customer needs, and is a great addition to our coolant portfolio.”
Unlike other coolants, Shell notes that extended life coolants are designed to go 600,000 on-highway miles or 12,000 hours in commercial applications (and beyond with proper monitoring) and provide overall reduction in cooling system maintenance. Extended Life Coolants also offer complete cooling system component protection by helping to reduce water-pump failures, hard-water-scale deposits and silicate gel. Understanding the challenges faced by consumers, the Shell Rotella coolant product portfolio has been designed to help make maintenance needs easier, the company says.
