Ultra and Power V are both synthetic oils, developed using Shell’s PurePlus technology, that are made for modern gasoline, diesel (without particulate filters), and gas engines.
Ultra has an effective clean-up technology to reduce the sludge. It provides super wear and corrosion protection. It has superior resistance to oil degradation, providing longer oil drain intervals. It gives a low evaporation formula and an extraordinary cold temperature performance. This oil has low viscosity and friction at lower temperatures which improves the fuel economy. It is also suitable with biodiesel and gasoline-ethanol blend.
Compare Shell Helix Ultra with others:
Power is a catalytic-friendly oil, having compatibility for modern direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines. It concentrates on defence counter to the LPSI which is the requirement of most modern engines. Other than that, it retains most of the engine’s power, allows faster acceleration, maximizes the engine’s performance, and reduces friction.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry, just read this:
- These both are totally synthetic engine oils that are made for gasoline/diesel engines.
- Ultra has more viscosity grades available.
- Both have the same ILSAC and ACEA ratings.
- Power is more catalytic-responsive oil.
- Sludge reduction of Ultra is better.
- Oil burn off safety of Ultra is well owing to its greater flashpoint temperature.
- Ultra effectively reduces the engine’s wear.
- Kinematic viscosities for all temperatures and viscosity index of Ultra are better.
- At cold temperatures, both the oils perform equally well.
- The oil exchange occurrence of Ultra is lower.
- Ultra is not expensive as well as more cost-valuable than its colleague.
| Terms | Shell Helix Ultra (0W-40) | Shell Helix Power (0W-40) |
| Oil Nature | Full Synthetic | Full Synthetic |
| Types of engine Supported | Gas and Diesel | Diesel and Petrol |
| Viscosity grades available | 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40, 5W-20, 10W-60, 5W-40 | 0W-30, 0W-40 |
| Cost (4 Liters) | 33.76$ | 64.40$ |
| API | CF/SN | SN/SN Plus |
| Oil change rate (in kilometers) | 10,000 | 7500 |
| ACEA | A3/B4, A3/B3 | A3/B4, A3/B3 |
| ILSAC | GF-5 | GF-5 |
Comparison of Engine’s Wear-off resistance
The metal parts slide with each other to produce friction that causes wear. To escape this, motor oil uses anti-wear additives which form a greasing film all around the moving engine parts. This film prevents immediate metal-towards-metal contact, therefore, decreasing the wear-causing friction.
Ultra has an elevated figure of anti-wear additives present in it which form a thicker and tougher layer around the metal parts. This layer will more effectively reduce friction and ensure better wear-off protection for this oil.
Power is not as effective as its counterpart in reducing wear because it has lower quantities of primary anti-wear additives phosphorus and zinc. This makes it second in line in position of engine’s wear-off shield.
Looking at their Viscosity:
Kinematic viscosity is known as gauge of motor oil’s talent to diffuse force through it. Better kinematic viscosity implies that energy can effortlessly be transmitted through the oil’s levels and atoms. The competence of the engine oil towards resisting change in its kinematic viscosity due to temperature changes is measured in form of viscosity index. The higher the viscosity index, it imples lower high temperature guided alterations in kinematic viscosity and vice versa. Pourpoint temperature indicates the temperature beneath with the liquid will be unable to surge under the influence of gravity.
Ultra possesses upper kinematic viscosities for both forty and hundered degree Celsius which means that is the better oil. Because it gives a lesser effect of adjustment in temperature on its kinematic viscosity, that’s why its viscosity index is better.
On the other side, Power has lower kinematic viscosities at both 40° and 100° Celsius, indicating that it is less effective oil in such conditions. Due to the higher impact of temperature adjustment on its kinematic viscosity, its viscosity index is also lesser than its competitor.
In phrases of pour point, both these oils show similar characteristics. They have a similar pourpoint temperature, meaning that they will both freeze at a similar temperature.
| In Comparison oils (0W-40) | Kinematic Viscosity at 40 o C (mm2/s) | Kinematic Viscosity at 100 o C (mm2/s) | Viscosity Index (VI) |
| Shell Helix Ultra | 75.2 | 13.5 | 185 |
| Shell Helix Power | 74.2 | 13.1 | 180 |
Are they friends with the Catalytic Converter?
The residue made by the burning of ZDDP compound present within the motor oil as wear and tear preventing additives is to blame for obstructing catalytic converter. Therefore, a higher quantity of these additives will greatly affect catalytic converter.
Upon testing it was found that the Ultra has higher extents of phosphorus and zinc additives to fight against wear, but it affects negatively to the performance of catalytic converter.
Power with the comparatively lower quantities of these additives is extra appropriate to be employed with catalytic converter since it will create a lower extent of slag in comparison to its counterpart.
Hence, it is the better oil in terms of catalytic converter performance.
Do they keep your engine clean?
Sludge is made when the oxidized oil unites with the water, mud, and other waste. It is present in a semi-solid (gel-like) form that can hinder the movement of engine oil or may block it inside an engine.
Detergents have being included inside the oil to diminish its build-up.
Ultra uses calcium and magnesium as its primary additives and their quantities are higher in it as compared to its competitor. That’s why this oil excels in sludge build-up reduction.
Power with a relatively lower measure of detergents is not as effective as its colleague in cleaning up the engine. This results in a lower rank of this oil in terms of sludge reduction.
Difference of Motor Oil Burn-off Defense
The oil’s volatility at a high temperature depends upon the quantity of simpler molecules present inside it.
The oil with a elevated figure of simpler particles will vaporize quickly and reach its flash point (vapor’s ignition position) at lesser temperature. Hence, it will burn off faster and same with the opposite side.
Ultra has a lower figure of light fragments available in it which decreases its volatility, and it achieves its flashpoint at elevated high temperature.
This indicates that it will give improved oil burn-off shield in comparison to its peer.
Power with a little lower flash point stood behind the other oil in terms of oil burn-off defense.
This is because it has a comparatively higher total of simpler grains, causing it to vaporize quickly and reach its flashpoint at a lower temperature.
| Grade 0W-40 | FlashPoint (Celsius) |
| Shell Helix Ultra | 241 |
| Shell Helix Power | 230 |
Oil Change Rate of recurrence Comparison
A lot of characteristics like oil burn-off safeguard and TBN indictates the changing frequency of the oil.
TBN is the Total Base Number, indicating the total number of base additives available in the engine oil to offset the acids established in the course of the combustion.
These additives decrease in quantity with time as they are used.
Therefore, a higher quantity of these additives means that oil could be used for a longer period.
Ultra put together a superior TBN allowing it to be changed after a long interval of 10,000 Km.
While Power with a lower TBN can only be used for a medium interval of 7500 Km.