Shell Rotella Fleet 15w-40

Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 Synthetic Blend Diesel Engine Oil

Heavy-Duty Fleet Multigrade Oil for On- and Off-Highway Diesel Engines

Formerly known as Shell Rotella T3 Fleet 15W-40.

Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is a synthetic blend heavy-duty diesel engine oil formulated for fleet and off-highway equipment requiring SAE 15W-40 and supported API or OEM specifications. Its broad application range allows fleets operating multiple types of diesel equipment to use a single heavy-duty engine oil across many compatible engines.

The low-SAPS additive system is designed for modern low-emission diesel engines while providing wear protection, deposit control, oxidation resistance, and viscosity stability under demanding operating conditions. Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is also suitable for older diesel engines requiring API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, or CH-4 performance in this viscosity grade.

Key Benefits

• Synthetic blend SAE 15W-40 heavy-duty diesel engine oil
• API CK-4 performance
• Low-SAPS additive technology
• Helps control engine wear
• Enhanced deposit protection
• Resistance to high-temperature oil breakdown
• Protection against oxidation and corrosion in the presence of biodiesel
• Low-ash formulation helps protect exhaust catalysts and diesel particulate filters
• Suitable for modern engines using EGR and DPF aftertreatment systems
• Suitable for on-highway and off-highway diesel equipment
• Extended-drain capable when supported by OEM requirements and operating conditions

Wear and Deposit Protection

Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is formulated to help protect against wear in heavy-duty diesel engines and has been evaluated through field trials and industry wear testing.

The formulation also exceeds API CK-4 deposit-test requirements, helping control deposits and maintain engine cleanliness throughout the oil-drain interval.

High-Temperature and Oxidation Protection

Severe-duty diesel engines can expose engine oil to high temperatures that accelerate oxidation and oil breakdown.

Rotella Fleet 15W-40 provides improved resistance to high-temperature oil breakdown compared with prior CJ-4 performance. It is also formulated to protect against oxidation and corrosion when biodiesel is present.

Low-SAPS and Emission-System Compatibility

The low-ash formulation helps protect exhaust catalysts and diesel particulate filters used in modern low-emission diesel engines.

Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is suitable for compatible engines using technologies such as:

• Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
• Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
• Modern exhaust aftertreatment systems

On-Highway and Off-Highway Applications

Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is suitable for severe-duty diesel engines in applications including:

• On-highway truck fleets
• Construction equipment
• Agricultural equipment
• Mining equipment
• Logging equipment
• Other compatible off-highway machinery

It can be used in engines requiring API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, or CH-4 diesel oil in an SAE 15W-40 viscosity grade.

Extended Drain Capability

Rotella Fleet 15W-40 has demonstrated performance in standard oil-drain intervals of up to 50,000 miles in field trials, including good TBN retention, controlled TAN increase, low wear metals, and low oxidation at drain.

This is not a universal 50,000-mile oil-change recommendation. Actual drain intervals should follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations and account for vehicle duty cycle, operating conditions, fuel quality, maintenance practices, and used-oil analysis where applicable.

Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations

• API: CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4
• ACEA: E11
• Allison: TES-439
• Caterpillar: ECF-3, ECF-2
• Cummins: CES 20086, CES 20081
• Detroit Diesel: DFS 93K222, DFS 93K218
• Deutz: DQC III-10 LA
• JASO: DH-2
• MAN: M 3775
• DTFR: 15C100 (previously MB 228.31)
• MTU: Category 2.1
• Volvo: VDS-4.5, VDS-4
• Mack: EO-S 4.5, EO-O Premium Plus
• Ford: WSS-M2C171-F1

Typical Physical Characteristics

Typical physical characteristics represent current production and may vary within Shell's manufacturing specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40?
Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is a synthetic blend heavy-duty diesel engine oil designed for fleet and off-highway equipment requiring SAE 15W-40 and compatible API or OEM specifications.

Is Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 synthetic?
Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is a synthetic blend diesel engine oil. It is not a full synthetic.

Was Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 formerly known as Rotella T3?
Yes. Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 was formerly known as Shell Rotella T3 Fleet 15W-40.

Is Rotella Fleet 15W-40 API CK-4?
Yes. Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is listed for API CK-4 as well as earlier diesel categories CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4.

What is Rotella Fleet 15W-40 used for?
It is designed for on-highway fleets and off-highway applications such as construction, agriculture, mining, and logging equipment where SAE 15W-40 and the appropriate diesel-engine specification are required.

Can Rotella Fleet 15W-40 be used in engines with a DPF?
Yes, when the engine requires a compatible CK-4 SAE 15W-40 oil. Its low-ash formulation is designed to help protect diesel particulate filters and exhaust catalysts.

Is Rotella Fleet 15W-40 suitable for EGR engines?
Yes. Rotella Fleet 15W-40 is suitable for compatible modern diesel engines using EGR and diesel particulate filters.

Can Rotella Fleet 15W-40 be used with biodiesel?
The formulation provides oxidation and corrosion protection in the presence of biodiesel. Always verify the engine manufacturer's fuel and lubricant requirements for the biodiesel blend being used.

Does Rotella Fleet 15W-40 meet Cummins CES 20086?
Yes. Both Cummins CES 20086 and CES 20081 are listed on the current technical data sheet.

Does Rotella Fleet 15W-40 meet Volvo VDS-4.5?
Yes. Volvo VDS-4.5 and VDS-4 are both listed.

Does Rotella Fleet 15W-40 meet Mack EO-S 4.5?
Yes. Mack EO-S 4.5 is listed, along with the earlier EO-O Premium Plus requirement.

What replaced MB 228.31 on the Rotella Fleet specification list?
The current technical data sheet lists DTFR 15C100, identifying it as the specification previously known as MB 228.31.

How long can Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 stay in service?
Rotella Fleet 15W-40 has demonstrated performance in field trials at standard oil-drain intervals of up to 50,000 miles. This is not a universal drain interval. Follow the engine manufacturer's service schedule and account for duty cycle, operating conditions, maintenance practices, and oil analysis where appropriate.

What is the latest API specification for heavy-duty diesel engine oil?
As of 2026, API CK-4 and FA-4 remain the current licensed heavy-duty diesel engine oil categories. The next-generation categories, API CL-4 and FB-4, are scheduled for first licensing on January 1, 2027. CL-4 will replace CK-4 as the primary backward-compatible heavy-duty diesel category, while FB-4 will replace FA-4 for applicable lower-viscosity applications.

Does Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 meet API CL-4?
The current Shell Rotella Fleet 15W-40 technical data sheet lists API CK-4. API CL-4 does not begin licensing until January 1, 2027, so Rotella Fleet 15W-40 should not be described as CL-4 unless Shell releases an updated product specification confirming that approval. For current applications, use the API CK-4 and OEM requirements listed for this product.