Over on the VOA forum there was a debate about the zinc and phosphorus levels of the Rotella T 15W-40. I thought I'd e-mail Shell and ask what they claimed. Here's what they said:
"Shell Rotella T Multigrade Oil SAE 15W-40 with Triple Protection Technology, our API CJ-4/SM specification product, typically contains about 1200 ppm zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorous as manufactured."
How much variability there is in the manufacturing process I don't know. I've seen VOAs that more or less confirm that, and other VOAs show lower numbers. I suppose one could assume Shell is saying something they know not to be true, but I find it hard to believe they'd do that.
Now here's the interesting part:
"...you may be interested to know that the oil was recently tested and found to meet the frictional requirements of JASO MA."
Now, a couple notes about that:
"Shell Rotella T Multigrade Oil SAE 15W-40 with Triple Protection Technology, our API CJ-4/SM specification product, typically contains about 1200 ppm zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorous as manufactured."
How much variability there is in the manufacturing process I don't know. I've seen VOAs that more or less confirm that, and other VOAs show lower numbers. I suppose one could assume Shell is saying something they know not to be true, but I find it hard to believe they'd do that.
Now here's the interesting part:
"...you may be interested to know that the oil was recently tested and found to meet the frictional requirements of JASO MA."
Now, a couple notes about that:
- It doesn't say so on the bottle. It may never say it on the bottle.
- Meeting the requirements is not the same thing as being certified
- The frictional requirements are only one part of JASO MA. But I studied the other components and found Rotella Triple Protection met most of them, with the friction requirements being the big unknown in my mind.