Shell Formula motor oil...good stuff?

JDgreen227 · Feb 13, 2011

The local Menards store sold me 48 quarts of Shell Formula motor oil yesterday at the bargain price of $1.68 per quart (I had a 90 day old raincheck from their last sale) and this week they have an in-store rebate deal on all purchases, the 11 percent rebate check I will earn on my 48 quarts effectively reduces my cost per quart to a buck and a half. This is probably the first time I have ever purchased the Shell brand, for the past 15 years I have stuck with Mobil in all my cars, trucks, and 4 stroke lawn care equipment.

No, the oil I purchased isn't for use my my John Deere...it's for gasoline engines. Does anybody here have something good or bad to say about the Shell brand I got a great price on...? Thanks.

Marveltone · Feb 13, 2011

I've never used Shell Formula motor oil, but I can say for a fact, that Shell Rotella, in its various formulations, is some of the finest diesel oil you're likely to find anywhere. I would wager that the Shell brand is probably pretty good all the way around.

Joe

JDgreen227 · Feb 13, 2011

Marveltone said:
I've never used Shell Formula motor oil, but I can say for a fact, that Shell Rotella, in its various formulations, is some of the finest diesel oil you're likely to find anywhere. I would wager that the Shell brand is probably pretty good all the way around.

Joe

Thanks...for what it is worth, my cost was $1.68 a quart and sales tax of 6% before the 11% rebate. The local Advance Auto sells the same thing for $3.49 plus 6% sales tax. Which means I saved almost two bucks per quart. I am going back to Menards later this week and hopefully the oil is still on sale, their 11% mail-in rebate offer is good thru the 20th.

Redneck in training · Feb 13, 2011

I use Shell Rottela in my tractor as per recomendation from the dealer.

Toddao · Feb 13, 2011

Buy all you can at that price !!!!

JDgreen227 · Feb 13, 2011

Toddao said:
Buy all you can at that price !!!!

Many stores limit a customer to 12 quarts but Menards is an exception, they limit sales to 24 quarts per customer per day. I had two rainchecks so they honored them both. Something that really makes me a devoted customer at Menards is they always give you a raincheck and then honor it up to 90 days later...and another thing, their mail in rebate program is hands down the best of it's kind, it's easy to use, quite fast, and I have always gotten my rebate checks, unlike the majority of places that make you jump thru hoops and then use any and all excuses to deny your rebate check.

RalphVa · Feb 13, 2011

Shell has good stuff. Their stuff is hydrotreated that they sell as "synthetic".

I've read the test reports that our research people did on various oils. Only one I recall being not particularly good was the old Gulf oil (out of business now). Best was always Mobil 1.

Ralph

Diamondpilot · Feb 13, 2011

I have literally used well over 300 gallons, yes gallons, of the Shell oils. Most was by the Quart from Menard's in my marine business. I once bought a pallet of the oil when it was on sale. Just talked to the manager and he loaded it up in the back of my F-350.

I have also used Shell Rotella, maybe 50 gallons, but its usually my last choice for Diesel equipment. I usually go with Dello 400 or Mobil Delvac on price only. Its not that it not a good oil, just usually $2 more per gallon than the others.

I dated a girl back years ago and her father was a Quaker State/Pennzoil rep. Now works for Peak. Anyway, he said in all honesty that any oil that meets the current SAE rating is equal to or better than what came in your car, even house brands like WalMart oil or Napa oil. His joke was SAE meant "same as everybody else".

Chris

roamerr · Feb 13, 2011

Sae comment is interesting Diamondpilot. I've always felt that way but still prefer Mobil 1. Funny thing is I have never had an engine have an "oil related" issue. I've had head gaskets blow, body or electrical issues, but never just wore one out...