So Shell Rotella T synthetic 5W40 not ACEA A3 certified?
(I'm new at the Saab oil obsession so cut me some slack) But Shell Rotella T synthetic 5W40 is not ACEA A3 certified, right?
I wanted to use Rotella Synthetic 5W40 for my 99-93t (204b) because the price is great but when I went to the Shell web site the tech there had a web posting reponding to a question and the Shell Tech said "no, not ACEA A3 certified" I also didn't see anything about "seal conditioners" whatever those are.
So what am I missing? Here's the post:
http://www.shellusserver.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=261&page=35
Re: Is Rotella synthetic right for me? NinesMagazine
NinesMagazine
New Member
Registered: 12/07/02
Posts: 9 To be specific, what of the references made by TechExpert about the potential for the higher phosphorous content in Rotella T for "poisoning" the catalytic converter? Recent cars with OBD II specifically measure catalytic converter efficiency (by comparing the output of oxygen sensors beforer and after the converter), and when the cat goes, the "check engine" light comes on.OTOH, Saabs' oil consumption is unmeasurable by usual means (dipstick) throughout a 5000 mile change interval, so how much phosphorus could be getting through?
Saab's most recent recommendation is for 5W-30, 0W-30, or 5W-40, Semi or full synthetic and fulfill grade reqiurements for ACEA A3/B3, API SJ or hgher. I would dearly love to take advantage of RotellaT Syn's properties, but not at the risk of ruining the cat.
TechExpert
Resident Expert
Registered: 01/22/02
Posts: 357 The answer to whether to use ROTELLA T Synthetic SAE 5W-40 in your gasoline engine can be found in your owner's manual, where the engine maker specifies what quality oil to use.
ROTELLA T Synthetic is a universal oil, meeting API Service Categories CH-4 for diesel engines, and SL for gasoline engines. Where the engine manufacturer recommends oil meeting either one (or both) of these Service Categories, or earlier categories, ROTELLA T can be a good choice. However, ROTELLA T does not meet all the requirements of ILSAC GF-1, GF-2 and GF-3 standards, sometimes specified for gasoline engine oils (in addition to API SL). These additional standards deal with fuel economy, and also limit phosphorus content (an element in all engine oils, but usually at a higher concentration in diesel oils). Phosphorus can affect catalyst activity in some exhaust emission control systems.
If your manual specifies only API SL (or earlier designation), then the catalyst is likely not sensitive to higher levels of phosphorus. If it also specifies ILSAC standards, using ROTELLA T may risk some catalyst activity loss. The ACEA A3/B3 standards do not limit phosphorus content.
