I contacted Shell via email and learned that the synthetic in their Formula Shell Syn Blend is PAO. As well, they provided me with the following specs:

Formula Shell 5W30 Synthetic Blend

Pour Point -42C
Flash Point 225C
VI 166
CCS, cp 5223@-25C
Borderline Pumping (MRV) -40.4C
TBN 6.88

Based on the above, this should be a good oil for Canadian climate. Any comments?

I don't know, but for comparison, Valvoline Maxlife has about 15% PAO per MSDS. Here are it's specs:

Pour -36 C
Flash 221 C
VI 161
CCS 5500 @ -30C
MRV 18,000 @ -35C
TBN 8

But I think there is an error in the temperature for your CCS and I don't understand the MRV on the Shell.

quote:

Originally posted by TallPaul:
I don't know, but for comparison, Valvoline Maxlife has about 15% PAO per MSDS. Here are it's specs:

Pour -36 C
Flash 221 C
VI 161
CCS 5500 @ -30C
MRV 18,000 @ -35C
TBN 8

But I think there is an error in the temperature for your CCS and I don't understand the MRV on the Shell.

It might be an error but it is listed at the following location: http://www.shell.ca/code/products/commercial/lubricants/essentials/synthetic.html

Also, that's interesting about the Maxlife. I had been checking Valvoline product data sheets but I didn't look at the Maxlife because my vehicle is only a year old.

Hmmmm. I am guessing that maybe the Shell data gives the actual temperature at which the borderline pumping spec (60,000 max at -35C) is reached, but maybe 60,000 is reached at -40C for the Shell. Would be nice to know as MRV is the most valuable cold property to compare. CCS is next most important, with pour point trailing in the far distance.

Now my API chart shows CCS being measured at -30 for a 5wXX oil, unless they do it differently in Canada, but I doubt it.

Here is the chart: LINK

So it is hard to compare these. The Maxlife is very good oil. One highly regarded person involved in oil analysis interpretation once told me that Maxlife is what Valvoline All Climate should have been. And it says right on the Valvoline site you can use the Maxlife in new and rebuilt engines.