Shell, Lukoil and Castrol - comparing 5W-30 oils

The choice of engine oil is not a trivial task, of course, if you do not fill the engine with the first thing that catches your eye in the store. Anyone who is interested in the long and stable operation of the internal combustion engine will still have to study the topic in detail and choose a lubricant not only by price. Let's now compare the oils of the popular brands Shell, Lukoil and Castrol, and see what they have to look at.


Lubricant labels vary greatly even within the same brand line. For a more objective comparison, we will take oils as the basis, the viscosity of which corresponds to the 5W-30 value according to the SAE classification. Sales statistics show that such lubricants are the most popular.

The main criteria for choosing oil

The key characteristic of a lubricant is viscosity, which we have already decided on above. In this case, we are talking about the value of 5W-30. It is easy to decipher the marking: the first digit indicates low-temperature viscosity, the second - high-temperature. The prefix 5W means that the oil can be used at low temperatures down to -30°C. The second value indicates the possibility of using the lubricant in conditions where the ambient air is heated up to + 25 ° C.

Remember: the smaller the numbers in the marking, the more liquid the oil, and the more, the thicker it is. This is especially important at negative air temperatures, because the higher the viscosity, the faster the lubricant thickens and ceases to cope with its tasks, starting to harm the engine.



We figured out the viscosity, but this is not the only parameter by which oils from the same or different brands should be compared, and the final choice should be made. Below we consider other criteria.

Flash point

The parameter reflects the potential consumption of oil for waste during engine operation, as well as its consumption due to evaporation through the crankcase ventilation system. It is determined by the composition, especially strongly depends on the presence and concentration of volatile fractions. If the oil contains too much of these substances, the lubricant quickly burns out, which is why it has to be changed more often.

High-quality lubricants have a flash point in excess of +225°C. Of course, the higher it is, the more economical the engine oil, and the lower the likelihood of spontaneous combustion, for example, during transportation or in long-term storage conditions.

congelation point

It shows at what temperature the lubricant completely loses its fluidity, which means it ceases to fulfill its main role in the engine. The lower this characteristic, the better.

The parameter is determined in laboratory conditions - a lubricant sample is dropped onto a test tube, after which it is cooled. The pour point is that at which the oil droplets solidify to such an extent that when the container is tilted 45 degrees, they remain motionless for one minute.

Acid number

In the description, it is reflected under the abbreviation TAN and shows the concentration of oxidation products in the composition of the lubricant. The lower the value, the better - the engine will be more protected from the aggressive effects of acids, and the lubricant itself retains its properties longer. During the operation of the oil, the acid number gradually increases until the next replacement.

Alkaline number

The characteristic is reflected in the description as TBN and indicates the alkalinity of the oil. Unlike TAN, the higher the base number, the better. Responsible for this indicator, dispersants and detergents neutralize the aggressive effects of acids and prevent the formation of deposits on the engine walls. This prolongs the life of the motor. During the "work" of the oil, the TBN parameter gradually disappears.

Sulphated ash

Ash content is in oils, which contain additives based on organic metal compounds. First of all, these are salts of potassium, sodium, barium, calcium and a number of other elements. When the engine is running, the lubricant heats up - this leads to its gradual burnout along the way with the formation of ash and resinous deposits, which have an abrasive effect on the motor.

The lower the ash content of the oil, the better. The characteristic is expressed as a percentage of the mass of the lubricant. The maximum possible value is 2%, and it directly depends on the sulfur and phosphorus content in the lubricant. The average allowable concentration of sulphated ash in greases that meet the C3 standard according to the ACEA classification should not exceed 0,8%.

Compare popular brands

Now that you know which oil parameters you need to pay attention to in the first place, it will be much easier to compare products with each other. Let's look at the most popular products from the Shell, Lukoil and Castrol brands according to Yandex.Market from about the same price category. Of course, we take into account only those materials that are labeled 5W-30.

shell

Consider one of the most popular products, namely Shell Helix HX8 ECT. Its characteristics:

• ◈ flash point – +238°С
  
• ◈ pour point - -45°С
  
• ◈ sulfate ash content - 0,85%
  
• ◈ acid number - 1,54
  
• ◈ base number - 8,52
  
• ◈ sulfur content – ​​0,184
  

On the network you can find the results of laboratory studies, according to which Shell Helix HX8 ECT freezes at all at -57 ° C, which is considered an excellent indicator for a 5W-30 viscosity. In general, this oil contains a small amount of sulfur, the ash content barely exceeds the Euro-5 standard, and the alkaline and acid numbers are medium. Conclusion: great product for the money.

Lukoil

According to laboratory analyzes, one of the popular Lukoil Genesis Armortech JP 5W-30 oils has the following performance characteristics:

• ★ flash point – +229°С
  
• ★ pour point - -43°С
  
• ★ sulfate ash content - 0,99%
  
• ★ acid number - 1,68
  
• ★ base number - 8,12
  
• ★ sulfur content - 0,281
  

From these parameters, we can conclude that the oil contains a package of additives based on calcium sulfonates, which is the reason for the increased sulfur concentration in comparison with the product from Shell. This product is somewhat inferior to the previously described version in terms of acid and alkaline numbers, but the difference is not so significant that it can be unequivocally said that Shell is better than Lukoil.

Castrol

From this brand, consider the popular product Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL. The results of laboratory tests indicate the following characteristics of the oil:

• ✪ flash point - +239°С
  
• ✪ pour point - -43°С
  
• ✪ sulfate ash content - 0,8%
  
• ✪ acid number - 1,36
  
• ✪ base number - 6,3
  
• ✪ sulfur content - 0,233
  

In comparison with competitors, Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL oil looks favorably in terms of acid number due to a good margin, but loses a lot in terms of alkaline. The sulfur concentration between Shell and Lukoil, and the flash and pour points are almost identical to those seen at Lukoil. Considering that Castrol costs an average of 900 rubles more for a four-liter canister, competitors look more attractive, taking into account almost equal characteristics.

Check for originality

It doesn't matter what brand you bought motor oil from, as long as it turns out to be fake. All of the above manufacturers provide customers with the opportunity to verify the authenticity of the product even before purchasing the product. Consider the measures brands are taking:

• ✅Shell. A two-layer hologram with an iridescent drop and a 16-character code is pasted on the lid. It must be entered on the official website of the manufacturer to check the oil.
  
• ✅ Castrol. On the side of the canister near the neck there is a protective sticker with a 16-digit code under the scratch layer. Erase the protection and enter the code on the official website of the brand.
  
• ✅ Lukoil. The original canisters are labeled with an in-mould label with a thermal marking and an individual package number, batch number and release date. The double lid is equipped with an aluminum insert and a guarantee ring to protect against reuse of the container. Some products have a QR code for authentication.
  

In order not to fall for a fake, buy engine oil only in trusted stores and be sure to read product reviews. Don't try to save money or you'll end up paying twice.