Shell Lubricants has introduced a revamped Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine antifreeze/coolant product portfolio that is led by Shell Rotella Ultra ELC. Shell Rotella Ultra ELC is an extended-life antifreeze/coolant for use in heavy-duty diesel, gasoline and natural gas-powered engines.
“Shell Rotella Ultra ELC is an improved performance, next-generation, extended-life engine coolant that is designed to meet the more severe operating conditions of new emission-compliant engines,” said Stede Granger, technical manager, Shell Lubricants. “Shell Rotella Ultra ELC is the most technologically advanced coolant offered by the Shell Rotella brand.”
According to the company, the line of heavy-duty coolants also includes Shell Rotella Fully Formulated, which replaces Shell Diesel Ready Fully Formulated Coolant/Antifreeze, and Shell Rotella ELC. Positioning a complete line of coolants under the Shell Rotella brand complements the Shell Rotella portfolio of heavy-duty engine oils. Shell Rotella Ultra ELC, Shell Rotella ELC and Shell Rotella Fully Formulated are currently available in bulk and drums and will be available in gallon bottles before the end of 2010. The antifreeze/coolant is available in two formulations – a pre-diluted 50/50 and a concentrate.
According to Shell, ELCs are designed to go 600,000 on-highway miles (and beyond with proper monitoring) and provide overall reduction in cooling system maintenance. ELCs 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 coolant product portfolio has been designed to help make maintenance needs easier, Shell said.
An advanced coolant, it is formulated to meet more severe operational conditions of modern, hotter-running engines. This is particularly important for new emission engines, especially those with EGR, according to the company.
It is formulated to be an extended-life antifreeze/coolant in the heavy-duty engines found in on- and off-highway vehicles, and in marine, farm, mining and construction equipment, the maker said. The product does not contain nitrites, amines, phosphates (NAP), borates or silicates. Improvements compared to Shell Rotella ELC antifreeze/coolant include enhanced oxidation control and corrosion protection of aluminum alloys and lead solder, as well as better elastomer compatibility with silicone seals. In addition to organic additive technology corrosion inhibitors, Shell Rotella Ultra ELC antifreeze/coolant contains molybdate to provide extra protection to cylinder liners found in heavy-duty applications. It will not require an initial charge or additional supplemental coolant additives (SCAs) in the future, according to the company.
The product can provide protection for up to 200,000–250,000 miles/two-three years in heavy-duty applications under normal operating conditions, provided that the user monitors and maintains SCA additive levels, the company added.
