Knowing what happened the last couple of round with cheap Castrol Edge, please go in early if you're intended to get the Shell Helix 5w-40.
3 type of oils on offer:
- Mobil Super 1000 20W-50, 5L for $14.99 save $10
- Shell Helix HX5 Diesel 15W-40, 5L for 17.99 save $19
- Shell Helix Ultra 5w-40, 5L for $27.99 save $39
5W-40 should be fine for most people looking to take care of their car and do a service. 28 is really quite cheap.
Problem is, that 5w-40 is only VW 502/505 not 504/507 most people want. Wrong viscosity for a lot of the newer cars as well.
Wait… So there are different grades of 5W-40? So buying 5W-40 from Castrol or Penrite could be different to this one?
More like different formulation and whether or not the manufacturer decide to get it certified.
Use this site http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/lubrizol/Markets/… to compare the relative performance of different oil specifications for example VW 502/505 versus 504/507
you can also use it to compare ACEA and API ratings.
What are VW 502/505 and 504/507?
If you don't know, chances are it won't matter to you.
"Wrong viscosity for a lot of the newer cars as well." I think this was the reason he wants to know
VW ratings:
502.00: gasoline engines on fixed service intervals
503.00: gasoline engines on variable service intervals
505.00: non-pump-injector diesel engines on fixed service intervals
505.01: pump-injector diesel engines on fixed service intervals
506.00: non-pump-injector diesel engines on variable service intervals
506.01: pump-injector diesel engines on variable service intervals
this sounds like a load of bullcrap only relevant to VAG owners
5w40 is the viscosity NOT this VW measurement which seems to be a grading system for VW cars only
again, people who drive high performance cars would not rely on this forum for any real advice
if your car needs 5w40 i would be happy to use Shell Helix Ultra which is supposed to be a full synthetic high performance oil
this is NOT useful advice (obviously) for VAG owners
Will it work well on a 2008 Mazda 3?
it depends on what your handbook specifies.
Shell does use recycled base oil on this product. Probably won't make a difference to virgin oil, but they really should disclose the fact.
Not doubting you, but do you have a source for that information?
There was a rumor about Penrite using recycled oil for years but it was proved to be untrue, people that don't know any better are still telling other people that they use recycled oil when they don't.
Never 10w 30
For anyone in Perth still looking for Helix Ultra, Cockburn store still had heaps left (40+ units) at 1PM today.
Great price for helix ultra.