Frequently Asked Questions

Q6: What is the function of hydraulic oil?
A: It transfers power in the system while providing lubrication and wear protection.

Q7: What are the signs of degraded hydraulic oil?
A: Slower operation, loud noise, high temperature, or air bubbles in the system.

Q8: What causes bubbles in hydraulic oil?
A: Likely from air leaks into the system or choosing the wrong oil type.

Q9: How does water contamination affect hydraulic systems?
A: It reduces efficiency, causes rust, and accelerates oil degradation.

Q10: Why must ISO VG 32, 46, and 68 be chosen correctly?
A: Because viscosity affects flow and pressure; the wrong spec causes system malfunction.

Q11: What is the vital role of gear oil?
A: Preventing wear, reducing friction, and supporting high pressure between gears.

Q12: What does EP (Extreme Pressure) in Gear Oil mean?
A: It refers to additives for high pressure resistance that prevent gear welding.

Q13: Why does gear oil sometimes smell burnt?
A: Because the temperature is too high or the oil has degraded.

Q14: Can gear oil and hydraulic oil be used interchangeably?
A: No, as their properties and additives are completely different.

Q15: How often should gear oil be changed?
A: Depending on use, generally every 5,000–8,000 hours or once a year.

Q16: Why must compressor oils be specific?
A: Because they must resist high heat, reduce carbon deposits, and prevent valve sticking.

Q17: How can I tell if compressor oil has degraded?
A: Darker color, burnt smell, or accumulated sludge.

Q18: Does compressor oil affect air compression efficiency?
A: Yes, good oil ensures consistent compression and reduces energy consumption.

Q19: Should synthetic oil be used for compressors?
A: It is suitable for heavy-duty, continuous use, or high-temperature environments.

Q20: What is the negative effect of water in compressor oil?
A: It causes rust, corrosion, and reduces lubrication efficiency.

Q21: How does turbine oil differ from general oil?
A: It must resist extreme heat, have high oxidation stability, and prevent Varnish formation.

Q22: What is RPVOT?
A: It's a test of the oil's oxidation resistance; higher values mean better resistance.

Q23: What are the consequences of degraded turbine oil?
A: It can form Varnish sludge, causing valves to stick and system malfunction.

Q24: When should turbine oil be changed?
A: Generally every 3–5 years or when chemical values degrade upon analysis.

Q25: Why must turbine oil have high Demulsibility?
A: To separate water quickly, preventing rust and corrosion damage.

Q26: Why must bearings be lubricated constantly?
A: To prevent wear and reduce heat from friction.

Q27: How do I choose between grease and oil for bearings?
A: It depends on speed, temperature, and bearing structure.

Q28: Is over-greasing harmful?
A: Yes, it causes heat buildup and potential seal damage.

Q29: Why use EP grease for heavy loads?
A: Because it resists high pressure and impacts better than general grease.

Q30: How can I tell if a bearing lacks lubrication?
A: Loud noise, high temperature, and abnormal vibration.

Q31: What is Food Grade oil?
A: It is H1 certified oil that is safe for incidental food contact.

Q32: Why use Food Grade oil in food factories?
A: For consumer safety and compliance with GMP/HACCP regulations.

Q33: How does Food Grade oil differ from general oil?
A: It uses safe ingredients, free from harmful substances, and is NSF certified.

Q34: Can Food Grade oil be used at high temperatures?
A: Yes, but specific heat-resistant grades should be selected.

Q35: Does Shell offer Food Grade oil for all applications?
A: Yes, including hydraulic, gear, compressor oils, and food-grade greases.

Q36: How does grease differ from oil?
A: Grease has higher viscosity and is suitable for points where oil cannot be easily replenished.

Q37: What are the dangers of counterfeit oil?
A: Causes rapid machinery wear, potential severe damage, and voids warranties.

Q38: How long can lubricants be stored?
A: Most can be stored for 3–5 years if kept in a dry, sealed environment.

Q39: What are the benefits of Oil Analysis?
A: It helps analyze oil condition and catch machinery problems before failure occurs.

Q40: Does the company provide Training or Technical Support?
A: Yes, we have expert engineering teams ready for advice, training, and troubleshooting.

Q41: Why do mining machines need high-quality oil?
A: Because they operate continuously under heavy loads, needing maximum protection to reduce wear and downtime.

Q42: How do dust and soil affect lubricants?
A: They cause abrasive wear, requiring high-quality filters and dust-resistant oils.

Q43: What type of gear oil should be chosen for mining trucks?
A: Synthetic gear oils that resist high pressure and high temperatures are recommended.

Q44: For outdoor construction machinery, what oil type is best?
A: Oils with high heat resistance, and rust/oxidation protection properties.

Q45: Does Shell have specific oils for excavators and mining trucks?
A: Yes, such as Shell Rimula, Shell Spirax, and Shell Gadus.

Q46: Why do cement kiln systems need synthetic gear oil?
A: Because they resist extreme heat, reduce deposit formation, and extend service life.

Q47: How does dust in cement factories affect grease?
A: Dust mixes with grease, degrading lubrication; highly dust-resistant grease is required.

Q48: What oil should be used for Open Gears?
A: Specific Open Gear lubricants that resist high pressure and dust.

Q49: How can oil leaks be solved in cement systems?
A: By using high-quality seals and selecting the correct oil viscosity.

Q50: Can Shell Omala be used with cement gears?
A: Yes, and there are specific grades directly designed for heavy-duty applications.

Q51: Why is coolant important in steel rolling?
A: It helps dissipate heat, prevent burning, and extend equipment life.

Q52: How to prevent rust in steel work?
A: Use oils with rust inhibitors and control system humidity.

Q53: What gear oil reduces mill wear?
A: Synthetic gear oil with high EP properties and thermal resistance.

Q54: What causes sludge in hydraulic systems?
A: High heat and contaminants. Choose oil with high oxidation stability.

Q55: Does Shell have specific oils for steel mills?
A: Yes, such as Shell Morlina and Shell Tellus S4.

Q56: Why do sugar mills need special oil?
A: Due to heavy loads, high dust, and moisture from molasses.

Q57: How to prevent corrosion from molasses?
A: Moisture forms acid; require rust-preventive oils.

Q58: What grease for sugar mills?
A: Synthetic or EP grease that resists water and heavy loads.

Q59: Sugar cane water pumps oil?
A: Needs stable oil for continuous high pressure.

Q60: Does Shell cover all sugar mill systems?
A: Yes, complete range for hydraulics, gears, turbines, and grease.

Q61: Why need clean oil for paper mills?
A: Contaminants affect paper quality and machine life.

Q62: Is water contamination common?
A: Yes, water is used in production.

Q63: Hydraulic oil for paper mills?
A: High oxidation stability and good demulsibility (separates water).

Q64: Gear oil for paper rollers?
A: Synthetic EP gear oil for continuous loads.

Q65: Benefit of Shell LubeAnalyst?
A: Analyzes oil to prevent unexpected downtime.

Q66: Importance of turbine oil?
A: Vital for controlling turbine rotation and heat protection.

Q67: Cause of Varnish?
A: Oil oxidation degradation.

Q68: Why check RPVOT?
A: To assess remaining useful life and oxidation resistance.

Q69: Oil for Wind Turbines?
A: Yes, Shell Omala S4 for high loads/temps.

Q70: Good oil reduces downtime?
A: True, extends life and reduces emergency repairs.

Q71: Shell Rimula difference?
A: Triple Protection technology reduces wear, deposits, and fuel use.

Q72: Why change truck gear oil?
A: To prevent wear on gears/clutch under load.

Q73: Benefit of Shell Helix?
A: Cleans engine, reduces sludge, saves fuel.

Q74: Wrong oil spec usage?
A: Reduced performance, void warranty.

Q75: Is synthetic necessary?
A: Yes, for heavy use, long trips, or hot weather.

Q76: Marine vs Car oil?
A: Different. Marine needs low sulfur fuel handling and continuous duty.

Q77: Specific marine engine oil?
A: Yes, Shell Alexia.

Q78: Oil affects carbon emissions?
A: Yes, efficient oil reduces burn-off and smoke.

Q79: Separate marine gear oil?
A: High pressure and vibration resistance needed.

Q80: Shell LubeMonitor?
A: Real-time marine engine oil condition monitoring.

Q81: Full-Film vs Boundary Lubrication?
A: Different lubrication regimes based on metal contact.

Q82: Why Additives?
A: To add rust/wear/foam/oxidation protection.

Q83: Viscosity Index (VI) importance?
A: High VI means stable viscosity across temps.

Q84: Foaming problems?
A: Pressure drop, poor lubrication, cavitation.

Q85: Cross Contamination?
A: Additive clash, performance loss.

Q86: Why oil degrades fast?
A: High heat, contaminants, missed checks.

Q87: Wear with new oil?
A: Wrong oil type selected.

Q88: How to store oil?
A: Indoor, dry, sealed, away from sun.

Q89: Why Demulsibility?
A: To separate water fast, preventing rust.

Q90: Metal in oil?
A: Check machine health and change oil immediately.

Q91: Official Shell Distributor?
A: Yes, authorized with 100% genuine guarantee.

Q92: Technical Support?
A: Yes, engineers available for consult/site visit.

Q93: Oil Analysis?
A: Yes, Shell LubeAnalyst.

Q94: Package sizes?
A: 20L pails and 209L drums.

Q95: Training?
A: Yes, regular customer training/seminars.

Q96: Shell GTL Technology?
A: Gas-to-Liquid, converting gas to pure base oil.

Q97: Synthetic worth it?
A: Yes, longer life, less maintenance.

Q98: Nationwide delivery?
A: Yes, fast and on time.

Q99: COA/MSDS?
A: Yes, provided.

Q100: How to order?
A: Phone, email, or website form.