Thread: Engine Oil
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Old 10-19-2006, 09:32 PM   #13 (permalink)
Less Moore
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 177
Shell Rotella T synthetic

Found a very informative motorcycle site, with a great article on oil and additives, which led me to compare specs on oil. As it turns out, Texaco Havoline Synthetic, Mobil 1 and Shell Rotella T are all 'full synthetics' and specs are very, very close as far as Viscosity Index, Flash Point, Pour Point and Sulphur Ash Content. Havoline was basically unavailable locally and I found Mobil 1 at WalMart for around $4/qt. in 5-gallon jug. Now WalMart locally carries only 5W-30 and the price as gone up to over $6/qt, but I discovered they have Shell Rotella for $15-something for a 5-qt. jug. That's, as they say, a no-brainer.
In case you're interested (from mfr. sites):

Viscosity Index (higher is better)-
Havoline 170, Mobil 151, Shell 176

Flash Point (degrees F, higher better)-
Havoline 450, Mobil 439, Shell 431

Pour Point (degrees F, lower better)-
Havoline -38, Mobil -49, Shell -40

Sulfated Ash (% by weight, less better)-
Havoline 1.40, Mobil 1.35, Shell 1.47
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