Shell Oil Reply to Rotella T6 Spec Question

[Solidbob]

I guess I was so concerned this morning I sent an email to Shell Oil asking about their lack of JASO,MA spec listed on their product, this is their response:<br />
<br />
From myself:<br />
<div class="cms_table"><table class="cms_table"><tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><TD class="cms_table_td"></TD>
<TD class="cms_table_td"></TD>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><TD class="cms_table_td"><b>To:</b></TD>
<TD class="cms_table_td">generalpublicenquiries-us@shell.com</TD>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><TD class="cms_table_td"><b>CC:</b></TD>
<TD class="cms_table_td"></TD>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><TD class="cms_table_td"><b>Sent:</b></TD>
<TD class="cms_table_td">26.02.14 13:08:41</TD>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><TD class="cms_table_td"><b>Subject:</b></TD>
<TD class="cms_table_td">Motorcycle Oil for the US Market</TD>
</tr>
</table></div>
<br />
<br />
<font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: Calibri">Question please, I am asking this for a number of member on our Honda M/C Forum.

Quite a few members including myself were using your Shell Rotella Synthetic Oil that was rated with JASO,MA suitable for Wet Clutch operation and I still have an older blue gallon jug with that spec in the circle listing on the jug. I recently picked up two new gallon jugs of T6 and found it to no longer be listed with the JASO,MA spec suitable for Wet Clutch operation. And also found that only the Triple T product lists JASO,MA and you no longer have a Synthetic oil with this rating for motorcycles? There are literally thousands of bike owners in the USA that just go pickup a Blue Jug relying on Shell to still have the same product makeup or blend, maybe Shell was unaware of this but I doubt so. Seems a product re-formulation notice should have been published to bring this fact to light. After more searching I see you have a product called Shell Advance on your Global Site that includes 4 products Advance AX3, AX5, AX7 and Ultra all of which are JASO,MA but it seems none of this product is available in the United States? <br />
<br />
<br />
So is Shell deserting the Motorcycle market in the US and only going for industrial business?<br />
<br />
<br />
Guess you will be forcing people to other products like Mobil 1 4T Racing and Valvoline 4T that still spec the JASO,MA standard..... a response would be appreciated so I may tell others Shell’s direction.<br />
<br />
Thank You,<br />
<br />
Bob / Concerned M/C Rider<br />
<br />
</span></font><br />
<br />
<form></form><form>{ticketno:[53311760]} <br />
WF ID: {000014408569} <br />
</form><br />
Reply from Shell:<br />
<br />
Dear Mr. Kelley,<br />
We have not made any formulation changes in the Rotella T6 and it still meets the JASO specifications. It may have been an older container or our marketing department may be making label changes with typo's. I have attached the current product data sheet which confirms tha JASO specifications we meet.

Sorry for the confusion.<br />
Best Regards,<br />
Shell Technical<br />
<br />
It is sure no longer listed on the Blue Jug so they are not advertising it, he did supply another PDF for Rotella T6 Synthetic which is a PDF File on this page.... I still feel Shell is sure not listing the standard on its package / me skeptical, maybe it's an attorney precaution so if their is a tranny or engine problem from using their T6 product - packaging does not show the spec for JASO, MA <br />
<br />
Still confused about Shell so I'll use a product that is proud to display the JASO,MA spec for Wet Clutch operation... Back to the Top of my list, just not comfortable with their short response to a possible big problem for a lot of Wet Clutch Bikers & Trikers ... maybe its a mole hill to some, to me its a mountain. Plenty of good choices out there... What ya thinking?

 

[SEABILL]

Thanks for asking! I guess we'll see if they put it back on the container.

 

[Marc H]

Are you saying they have dropped the spec on current jugs?I was just showing the spec to a customer at work a week ago.

 

[Calgary]

Thank you Solidbob for the follow-up info - greatly appreciated!

 

[Solidbob]

Are you saying they have dropped the spec on current jugs?I was just showing the spec to a customer at work a week ago.

I bought or nearly bought 2 Gallons at Wally World last week and they had no JASO,MA any where on the container! I had an old jug at home from sometime back and it was in the Circle on it. Did you read his reply above / may be making label changes or typos / sure!!

To many folks not being up front or maybe hired and not knowing - my tranny & engine - don't trust it if its not on the label, others are proud to display for all to see!

 

[Veritas44]

Thanks for the Solid Intel, effort, and research once again Bob ThumbUp
Of course, the response did more to ADD to the Mystery and skepticism than to answer and belay it as you pointed out. Be interesting to see if they do follow it up with more definitive explanation or just hope it all dies out with the vague patronizing "Oopsie" obfuscation.

 

[scribe5]

Saving a few bucks is not worth the possible problems. I'll go back to Mobil motorcycle oil until Shell decides what they are selling.

 

[bikerbillone]

<font size="3">Good work, Solid. Seems this guy a Shell doesn't know and just putting something 'out there' or he failed to fwd the question to R&D. I agree, this is what Shell does, seems they would have a logical response. I use the Rotella Dino 15/40 in the white jug, blue top, don't think I'll be switching to the Mobil One, just too freaking expensive. </font>

 

[John Luciano]

This is the part that scares me
Shell Rotella® T6 Energized ProtectionTM oil features Shell exclusive "Low-SAPS" additive technology reinforced with a novel and unique anti-wear system. Prote
Anti wear or anti friction???

 

[leo3wheel]

See the T6 containers I have on hand are rated JASO,MA. Will have to check Walmart. Thanks!

 

[tbear]

Do you guys really like that Rotella oil?? do you think it is equal to Mobil 1,Redline,and Amsoil?
or is it the PRICE that makes the difference? just wondering (on this cold and boring day in Michigan).................:Coffee:

 

[leo3wheel]

Went to one Walmart, and T6 spot was empty. Went to another Walmart, and they were fully stocked with T6, that meets JASO MA. Bought a couple gallons. Two $5 rebates per person/household March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014. Guess I have to return them to get the proper timestamp for this rebate.

 

[Solidbob]

Lucky you, at least you have proof on the jug... at my Wally World shelf is full but Blue T6 Jugs have no marking! So without that proof not buying it... sorry Shell get your Shell Sh__ straight!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="images/smilies/crap.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Crap" class="inlineimg" />

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Same with our Wal Mart.
I'm going to check at Fleet Farm, as that's where I always buy it.

 

[Pegasus1300]

<div class="bbcode_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote"><br />
<div class="quote_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="bbcode_postedby"><br />
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>bikerbillone</strong><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=218144#post218144" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="message"><font size="3">Good work, Solid. Seems this guy a Shell doesn't know and just putting something 'out there' or he failed to fwd the question to R&D. I agree, this is what Shell does, seems they would have a logical response. I use the Rotella Dino 15/40 in the white jug, blue top, don't think I'll be switching to the Mobil One, just too freaking expensive. </font></div><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div>I have always used dino oil. My thinking is that I am throwing it away in 3k to 4k anyway. Even with the recommended dino oil my Venture Royale and Royal Stars had an 8000mi oil change interval from the factory. I have run more then one Venture V4 to over 150k without any problems. My current 1990 Honda carries a factory recommended oil/filter change every 12000 mi. So at 3000 mi. I am way over changing.<br />
<br />
Both factories go with extended oil change intervals without specifying synthetic oil.

That works for me.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<font color="silver"><font size="1">- - - Updated - - -</font></font><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div class="bbcode_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote"><br />
<div class="quote_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="bbcode_postedby"><br />
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>bikerbillone</strong><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=218144#post218144" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="message"><font size="3">Good work, Solid. Seems this guy a Shell doesn't know and just putting something 'out there' or he failed to fwd the question to R&D. I agree, this is what Shell does, seems they would have a logical response. I use the Rotella Dino 15/40 in the white jug, blue top, don't think I'll be switching to the Mobil One, just too freaking expensive. </font></div><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div>I have always used dino oil. My thinking is that I am throwing it away in 3k to 4k anyway. Even with the recommended dino oil my Venture Royale and Royal Stars had an 8000mi oil change interval from the factory. I have run more then one Venture V4 to over 150k without any problems. My current 1990 Honda carries a factory recommended oil/filter change every 12000 mi. So at 3000 mi.<br />
<br />
I am way over changing. Both factories go with extended oil change intervals without specifying synthetic oil.

That works for me.

 

[Old Fard]

[Do you guys really like that Rotella oil?? do you think it is equal to Mobil 1,Redline,and Amsoil?
or is it the PRICE that makes the difference? just wondering (on this cold and boring day in Michigan).................:Coffee:}

Is there empirical data that shows that using these any of these three synthetics is any better than Honda's oil or other manufacture's oil that meets the MA spec?

 

[Solidbob]

Old Fard,<br />
<br />
Petty much if it meets the manual spec. 10W40 JASO,MA Rated or close its all good. I choose Full Synthetic that was what got me looking at Rotella T6 Full Synthetic years ago until they changed packaging and yes it was a real good price.... you'll notice a lot use Shell's Triple T dino oil that does have the JASO,MA rating on the jug. As I've said read the jug...

 

[SMSgt]

Here we go again.
I bought this at Wally World 5 days ago and it plainly says JASO MA on the bottle.

 

[leo3wheel]

With $5 rebate, T6 is priced at $16 per gallon.

 

[Virg49]

Our local Walmart here in Davenport Iowa had the Rotella fully stocked and the jugs had JASO rating..........5w40 synthetic.Virg49
Still on the fence abt oil...anyone use Castrol 4T non synthetic??????????Virg

 

[Peteman]

Thanks for the Solid Intel, effort, and research once again Bob ThumbUp
Of course, the response did more to ADD to the Mystery and skepticism than to answer and belay it as you pointed out. Be interesting to see if they do follow it up with more definitive explanation or just hope it all dies out with the vague patronizing "Oopsie" obfuscation.

Just checked our stock and its still on the label. I work for Kenworth dealer in Canada and sell Shell oil.

 

[tbear]

[Do you guys really like that Rotella oil?? do you think it is equal to Mobil 1,Redline,and Amsoil?
or is it the PRICE that makes the difference? just wondering (on this cold and boring day in Michigan).................:Coffee:}

Is there empirical data that shows that using these any of these three synthetics is any better than Honda's oil or other manufacture's oil that meets the MA spec?

Using Synthetic oil when I raced cars shows me that it is better. When we tore down the motors and Trans's after so many races, the inside wore better and looked better than before when we used dino oils. Also, our Engineers at Ford's (where I retired from) would agree from their investigations on parts wear. That is also why you will notice that a lot of Manufactures are using synthetic blend in their new vehicles.Read the manuals stating this :Coffee: