Shell Lubricants has introduced a revamped Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine antifreeze/coolant product portfolio that is led by Shell Rotella Ultra ELC. According to the company, 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.
“The inclusion of Shell Rotella Ultra ELC in the coolant portfolio is an important part of the continued growth and development of the Shell Rotella product line,” said Mark Reed, global brand manager for Shell Rotella. “This further strengthens our position as technology leaders by providing a diverse line of coolants and engine oil products that are designed to meet the challenges of today’s and future heavy-duty engines.”
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. They 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 Shell Rotella coolant product portfolio has been designed to help make maintenance needs easier, according to the company.
An advanced coolant 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.
Shell Rotella Ultra ELC 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 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. The maker added it will not require an initial charge or additional supplemental coolant additives (SCAs) in the future.
The antifreeze/coolant provides protection in light-duty engines, making it highly suitable for mixed fleets that include light-duty as well as heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines. The product can provide protection for up to 12,000 hours or 600,000 miles in heavy-duty applications under normal operating conditions, according to the company.
The antifreeze/coolant is available in two formulations – a pre-diluted 50/50 and a concentrate. Shell Rotella Ultra ELC antifreeze/coolant Pre-Diluted 50/50 is premixed and ready to use and requires no further dilution. Shell Rotella Ultra ELC antifreeze/coolant Concentrate should be diluted with water, preferably with demineralized or de-ionized water, if possible.
The antifreeze/coolant utilizes organic additive technology corrosion inhibitors with nitrite and molybdate that protect cylinder liners from pitting corrosion damage. The product provides excellent high-temperature protection and heat transfer. It helps reduce maintenance costs and improve water pump life, Shell said, and eliminates the need for supplemental coolant additives. Shell added it could provide protection for up to 12,000 hours or 600,000 miles with an extender added at 300,000 miles.
