Shell Helix Portfolio Refresh. Introducing the New Shell Helix Extra Range
Shell has announced a refresh of the Shell Helix passenger car motor oil portfolio, introducing the new Shell Helix Extra range alongside an updated brand identity and clearer product positioning for workshops and service centres.
The refreshed portfolio has been designed to make product selection simpler while supporting the needs of modern workshops servicing a wide range of vehicles. The new Shell Helix Extra range will replace the current Shell Helix HX8 range, with several existing Ultra Professional grades transitioning to Extra Professional equivalents.
Developed for vehicles four years and older, Shell Helix Extra is positioned as the “Workshop Preferred Lubricant”, delivering reliable performance for the cars most commonly seen in independent workshops and fast-fit environments. The range uses Shell Anti-Friction Technology, helping reduce friction and improve efficiency while maintaining strong engine protection.
Testing shows the formulation can deliver up to 1.8% improved fuel economy, up to 50% greater engine protection, and up to 70% faster protection during engine start-up, supporting engine performance across a variety of driving conditions.
The wider Shell Helix portfolio will continue to cover different vehicle age profiles:
Shell Helix Ultra – fully synthetic oils designed for newer vehicles and the latest engine technologies
Shell Helix Extra – fully synthetic oils designed for vehicles 4+ years old
Shell Helix HX ranges – semi-synthetic and mineral oils supporting older vehicles in the car parc
While the product names are changing as part of the refresh, the trusted OEM approvals and product quality remain the same, ensuring a smooth transition for workshops and service providers.
The new Shell Helix Extra products will begin appearing in the market from April 2026, with updates also reflected within Shell’s LubeMatch oil recommendation tool to support product selection.
For more information about the updated Shell Helix range or to discuss the transition with your existing lubricant supply, please contact the Certas Lubricant Solutions team.
Certas Lubricant Solutions is pleased to announce its attendance at the upcoming IPowerE Technology Seminar & Annual Luncheon, taking place on Thursday 26 March 2026 at The Biltmore Mayfair in London. The event brings together professionals from across the power generation and energy engineering sectors for a day of technical insight, industry discussion and networking.
Certas will be attending in partnership with Q8 Oils, highlighting the strength of the collaboration between the two organisations in delivering high-performance lubrication solutions for the energy sector. Together, Certas and Q8 support operators across a wide range of applications including gas engines, turbines, compressors and auxiliary power equipment.
During the morning technology seminar, Joris Van Der List, Technology Manager at Q8 Oils, will deliver a guest presentation focusing on the latest developments in stationary gas engine lubrication. His session will explore emerging technologies, the role of lubricants in performance optimisation, the impact of water contamination (H₂O) in gas engine environments, and the importance of sustainability within modern power generation operations.
Representing Certas Lubricant Solutions on the day will be Philip Henry, Energy Sector Manager, who will be available to discuss how Certas’ national distribution network, technical expertise and strong supply capabilities support operators across the UK energy market.
The IPowerE Annual Luncheon is a well-established event within the industry calendar, combining a multi-stream technical seminar with networking opportunities and industry discussion among engineers, operators and suppliers from across the power and prime mover sectors.
Certas Lubricant Solutions looks forward to connecting with industry professionals throughout the event and discussing how its partnership with Q8 Oils continues to support reliability, efficiency and sustainability in power generation.
We are pleased to announce that Certas Lubricant Solutions will be exhibiting at the upcoming Subsea Expo in Aberdeen, you’ll find us at Stand 69. This event is a key platform for the subsea sector, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and innovators from around the world. We will be showcasing its extensive range of products, services, and solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of the subsea industry.
At this year’s show, we’re proud to feature products from the Shell PANOLIN biodegradable-lubricant range. Shell PANOLIN is engineered to deliver high-performance lubrication while minimising environmental impact. All fluids are readily biodegradable with low ecotoxity, certified by EU ecolabel.
We have been a trusted partner in the marine and subsea sectors, consistently delivering high-quality lubricants and services to enhance the efficiency and reliability of critical equipment. The company’s presence at the Subsea Expo signifies its dedication to addressing the specific challenges faced by the subsea industry.
Visitors to our exhibition stand can look forward to engaging with a knowledgeable and experienced team. The company’s representatives will be on hand to discuss the latest advancements in lubrication technology, innovative products, and customized solutions designed to optimize performance in subsea applications.
We understand the critical role that lubricants play in ensuring the smooth operation of subsea equipment. We work in partnership with leading manufacturers to provide a comprehensive range of lubricants specially formulated to withstand the harsh conditions encountered in subsea environments, while also taking into account environmental impact. These lubricants are designed to provide superior protection against corrosion, wear, and extreme temperatures, thereby extending the lifespan of equipment and minimizing downtime, whilst also being biodegradable.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about how biodegradable lubricants can support subsea and offshore operations, exploring our latest offerings, or discussing project needs — we’d love to meet you. Our experts will be on hand to showcase Shell PANOLIN’s marine- and offshore-ready lubricants, offer technical guidance, and discuss how we can support your environmental and operational goals.
If you are visiting the SubSea Expo and would like to have some time to discuss our range of lubricant products and solutions, then please contact:
We’re helping customers prepare for the colder months with an exclusive new offer on the Valvoline coolant range. For a limited time, when you purchase 200 litres or more of any qualifying Valvoline coolant, you’ll receive a FREE Winter Kit packed with practical seasonal essentials.
The offer applies across the full selection of Valvoline coolants, including HD Nitrite Free, HD Extended Life, Multi-Vehicle Coolant (Red), Multi-Vehicle Coolant (Standard) and more, giving you the flexibility to choose the products you need while enjoying added value at no extra cost.
Each Winter Kit includes a tumbler, torch, beanie, touch-screen gloves, ice scraper and 6-can cooler, helping you stay prepared and protected throughout the winter.
To take advantage of the promotion or to place an order, contact our team on 0800 371 910 (Option 2) or email [email protected].
Fleet operators face the dual challenge of maintaining operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. AdBlue® plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives by reducing NOx emissions in diesel vehicles. This article explores best practices for managing AdBlue® usage within fleet operations.
Understanding AdBlue® Consumption in Fleets
AdBlue® consumption in fleet vehicles typically ranges from 3% to 5% of diesel fuel usage. Factors influencing consumption include vehicle type, load, driving conditions, and engine efficiency. Monitoring these variables helps in predicting AdBlue® needs and planning refills accordingly.
In an era where environmental concerns are paramount, reducing vehicle emissions has become a critical objective. AdBlue®, a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), plays a vital role in helping diesel vehicles meet stringent emission standards. This guide delves into what AdBlue® is, how it works, and why it’s essential for diesel vehicle owners.
What is AdBlue®?
AdBlue® is a high-purity, non-toxic solution composed of 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water. It’s used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems found in modern diesel vehicles. When injected into the exhaust stream, AdBlue® breaks down harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen and water vapor, significantly reducing environmental impact.
Importance of AdBlue® in Emission Control
With the implementation of Euro 6 emission standards, diesel vehicles are required to limit NOx emissions. AdBlue® is integral to this process, ensuring compliance and contributing to cleaner air quality. Failure to maintain adequate AdBlue® levels can lead to reduced engine performance and increased emissions.
How Does AdBlue® Work?
The SCR system injects AdBlue® into the exhaust gases, where it reacts with NOx in the presence of a catalyst. This chemical reaction converts NOx into nitrogen and water, both harmless to the environment. The process is highly efficient, reducing NOx emissions by up to 90%.
AdBlue® Consumption and Maintenance
AdBlue® consumption varies based on vehicle type and usage but typically ranges from 3% to 5% of diesel fuel consumption. Regular monitoring of AdBlue® levels is crucial, as running out can trigger warning lights and potentially limit vehicle performance.
Storage and Handling of AdBlue®
Proper storage of AdBlue® is essential to maintain its effectiveness. It should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and in containers made of materials compatible with urea solutions, such as polyethylene or stainless steel. AdBlue® has a shelf life of up to 12 months when stored correctly.
Certas Lubricant Solutions: Your Trusted AdBlue® Supplier
As the UK’s largest independent supplier of lubricants and AdBlue®, Certas Lubricant Solutions offers:
You rely on your vehicles to perform all year round so when the colder weather hits it’s important to make sure that you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure it runs smoothly.
Anti-freeze coolants are an essential fluid to ensuring engines and heat generating systems are in good working order. However, the coolant system is one of the most overlooked areas for preventive maintenance in a diesel engine.
The importance of anti-freeze
Anti-freeze mixes with water to prevent water from freezing and raises the boiling point to avoid overheating and reduce engine corrosion – making it an essential product to ensure the longevity for your diesel-powered bus or coach. By protecting the engine from freezing, anti-freeze also helps prevent non-starts in the coldest temperatures.
What’s more, a frozen engine can be very expensive to repair, so it’s important to regularly check engine coolant levels in the winter. In fact, research has shown that 40% of all engine problems in heavy-duty diesel engines are related to improper cooling system maintenance.
Choosing the right anti-freeze
So, what should do you need to consider when choosing an anti-freeze? There are lots of different types of anti-freeze and there’s no single anti-freeze suitable for all vehicle makes and models. Ethelyne Glycol and Propylene Glycol are the major components of anti-freeze coolants and basic types of coolant include Inorganic Acid Technology and Organic Acid Technology. The best and right choice or anti-freeze-coolant is to always use the anti-freeze type that’s recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
A common mistake with anti-freeze is the concentration used in the solution. Because pure anti-freeze freezes at a higher temperature than when mixed with water so it should always be used in 50:50 proportion with water. If the concentration of anti-freeze used is too low or high then it can cause cracks, water leakages, corrosion and over-heating.
Stocking up on high-quality anti-freeze-coolant now is essential for any coach or bus-using business, because diesel engines are usually operated under both harsh conditions and on a continuous basis throughout winter. These engines and their transmissions require top quality cooling systems and anti-freeze in order to maximise their performance and reliability while minimising maintenance costs.
It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, sleeting, snowing or it’s just a little bit chilly, your bus or coach needs an extra bit of care during winter to ensure it, and your business, continues to run smoothly. Using high-quality anti-freeze is the best way of ensuring this extra care is provided and your business runs smoothly all year round.
Certas Lubricant Solutions provides a range of anti-freeze and coolant products to keep your engines moving in the colder weather including long-life anti-freeze, red anti-freeze, blue anti-freeze, OAT anti-freeze (Organic Acid Technology), propylene glycol anti-freeze and more!
You can purchase all winter products including antifreeze, screen wash and de-icer from Certas.
Since 1930 Tectyl has prevented rust corrosion of nearly every metal surface against the elements for the automotive and a variety of other industries. Tectyl has become a synonymous word for rust protection worldwide thanks to its strong adhesive properties with metal surfaces. Engineered for superior short- or long- term protection, many Tectyl products are multi-functional and can be used against indoor and outdoor exposure to help metal surfaces resist damage caused by moisture, salt spray, hard gravel and harsh corrosives.
Tectyl’s superior corrosion protection offers customers the confidence, reliability, reputation and high quality standards of its global market-leading brand. The automotive industry relies on Tectyl products to provide ultimate protection and help extend the service life of trucks, passenger vehicles, trailer bodies and other equipment manufactured from metal parts.
Innovative solutions, products and expertise Winter raises special challenges for fleet owners. By taking a few basic maintenance steps to protect vehicle underbodies and wash away corrosive deposits, fleet owners can ensure their trucks last through more winters.
Born to Protect Winter means snow, ice, and the application of sand and harsh de-icing chemicals to make road travel safer. For fleet owners, winter road treatments threaten future damage to trucks, as abrasive and corrosive elements spatter up against vehicle undercarriages and bodies. These harsh winter elements will eventually take their toll, rusting vehicle structures and systems and shortening truck service lives.
One of the biggest corrosion prevention steps fleet owners can take is to apply an anti-corrosion coating to truck underbodies and wheel wells. These areas get the brunt of exposure to corrosive de-icing salts, sand, and gravel that splash up from the road onto garbage or recycling trucks going about their daily winter routines. Applying anti-corrosion coatings before winter road conditions set in is a simple and practical way to delay eventual deterioration of underbody areas and discourage them from rusting out.
With a comprehensive portfolio to safeguard nearly every metal surface from corrosion, chipping, peeling and abrasion, Tectyl products can help companies avoid repair and downtime, likely providing a lower total cost of ownership and ensuring a more effective and profitable operation.
The broad range of Tectyl products offer ultimate protection for metal surfaces against the damaging effects of moisture, chloride, salt, gravel and corrosion, which can help extend the service life of trucks, passenger vehicles, trailer bodies, earth moving, mining, industrial or any other equipment manufactured with metal parts.
Another good standard maintenance practice for protecting vehicles in the winter is regular washing to remove dirt and corrosive salt deposits on the vehicle body and under-carriage.
Winter raises special challenges for fleet owners, threatening to shorten the service life of vehicles because of the same treatments that help keep roads safe. By taking a few basic preventive maintenance steps to protect vehicle underbodies and wash away corrosive deposits fleet owners can go a long way toward making their trucks last through more winters.
BY: Simon Michell, Business Development Manager, Certas Lubricant Solutions
Engine oil has travelled quite a journey before it becomes the golden liquid that stops an engine descending into a scrap metal
Let’s have a look at “upstream,” as the oil people call it – crude oil, the black stuff that comes out of the ground and then we will look at “downstream,” the Base oils that is the starting block for automotive oil.
The term Crude oil can be interchanged with the term Petroleum (not to confused with petrol or as our friends in the USA call it, gasoline)
Petroleum literally means “rock oil”… petroleum comes from the Greek word “petra“, meaning rock, and the Latin word “oleum“, meaning oil.
Crude oil is the remains of organisms that lived and died millions of years ago – mainly plankton which was buried in mud.
Different names are given to crude oil, depending where in the world the oil is pumped out of the ground. We have Sweet and Sour crude oil (you do the jokes…!) as well as Light and Heavy crude oil
The petroleum industry barometer is based on crude oil from three areas, West Texas Intermediate (WTI). Brent Crude and Dubai crude.
The first two, West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude from the North Sea are classed as Sweet and Light and that gives them the gold standard in crude oils.
Crude oil from around the world
Sweet
Sour
Light
Brent (North Sea) West Texas Intermediate (WTI)
Light Sour blend (Canada) Arabian Extra Light
Heavy
Cano Limon (Columbia) Minas (Indonesia)
Maya Heavy ( Mexico Merey (Venezuela)
Crude oil is extracted by using Onshore or offshore oil rigs which are engineering giants. Add in the harsh environments they operate in and we have incredibly complex and potentially dangerous structures.
The Piper Alpha oil platform was located in the North Sea approximately 120 miles (190 km) north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland. On the 6 July 1988, there was a massive explosion, killing 167 men.
The average depth of an oil well is now 7,800 feet (2,377 metres). Over a mile down into the earth’s crust!
For the offshore oil rigs – add in the depth of the sea water, before the drilling can start. The deepest offshore rig in world situated in the Gulf of Mexico in 8,530 feet (2,600 metres) of seawater.
We will come back in a moment to how the crude oil is refined into base oil at the refinery.
Our next stop is to have a look at these base oils, which is where the majority of automotive oil comes from.
Approximately 80% of a bottle of automotive oil consists of base oil. The remainder is a package of additives. Viscosity modifiers, antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors – and a few other essential ingredients.
There are four key base oil properties that the refinery works hard to achieve.
Pour point. This measures how cold the oil can go before it will not pour.
Viscosity. An oil’s resistance to flow. It changes with the temperature.
Viscosity index, (VI) This measurement demonstrates how well the oil viscosity copes with hot and cold temperatures. A high-VI oil, for example, has less viscosity change with temperature, compared to a low-VI oil.
The forth property is how effective the refining process has been in dealing with the sulphur, nitrogen and what is call aromatic compounds which are double bonds and unstable.
Back in 1992 The American Petroleum Institute (API) created a set of Base oil categories. They named them Group 1 to 5 – but decided to use Roman numerals Group I, II, III, IV, V
Three standards were set: The level of Sulphur in the base oil – a bad thing to have in base oil.
Saturates was next and they are a very good thing to have in base oil.
What are Saturates? Simply put, crude oil is made up of Hydrocarbons – Hydrogen and Carbon. Saturates are naturally present in base oil but during the refining process higher levels of saturates are obtained. If the level of saturates is higher, the molecular bond of the oil is stronger. A base oil that is fully saturated is much more resistant to the bad boy in the chemistry oil world – oxidation, which causes sludge, deposits and viscosity increase. That is about the limit of the chemistry we are going to do!
Lastly API gave the groups a Viscosity Index rating, –a high VI is good. Viscosity Index (VI) is the oils relationship between viscosity and temperature. We came across VI earlier. VI is the ability of the oil to remain within a narrow range of viscosity change, either when hot or cold.
American Petroleum Institute (API) – Base oil categories
Saturates
Sulphur
Viscosity Index
I
Less than 90%
Greater than 0.03%
80 to 119
Solvent processing – High in sulphur
II
Greater than 90%
Less than 0.03%
80 to 119
Hydrotreating
III
Greater than 90%
Less than 0.03%
Great than 120
Severely hydrocracked
IV
n/a
n/a
n/a
Poly-alpha-olefin (PAO)
V
All other Base Stocks which are not covered in Group I to IV – Polyglycols, PAG, Esters, Silicons, etc
Starting with Group I oil – This oil really is a bit on the basic side. It has some industrial and marine applications. Demand for Group I oils is declining.
Group II base oil was introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The oil is hydrotreated. Hydrogen is added to help clean up and purify the base oil.
Group III base oil is where the action is, from an automotive standpoint.
Modern Group III base oil has 99% Saturates –a very good thing! The base oil is clear and colourless.
It has excellent oxidative stability and high VI.
The key process to Group III base oil is the term Severely Hydrocracked. It is the elder brother to Group II – but on steroids! – It takes oil refining to a completely new level of purity.
Hydrocracked – Cracking is breaking apart and Hydro is adding hydrogen. The process converts the bad molecules into the good molecules, by breaking bonds and adding hydrogen.
The severity of the hydrocracking is the determining factor of the how close the base oil gets to 100% saturates level.
Let’s us go back to the oil refinery and take a closer look at hydrocracking.
The crude oil from the oil well is desalted and the water is removed – After all it’s come from miles down in the earth’s crust, it’s bound to be a bit wet and salty.
The refining process starts with atmospheric distillation – a process similar to whisky distillation– but without (for those aficionados who like a dram) the aroma and taste. The lighter oil molecules are diverted off to make petrol, diesel and jet fuel etc and the heavier molecules are pushed into stage two – Vacuum Distillation for another go at separating out the fractions of the crude oil.
The next stage for Group III base oil is hydrocracking. The oil gets hit with a big dose of hydrogen under intense pressure of 3,000 PSI and heat up to 420 degrees centigrade, in the presence of a catalyst, saturating the aromatic compounds with hydrogen, which improves their stability.
The walls of the hydrocracker are a foot (30cm) thick!
The hydrocracker converts the sulphur into hydrogen sulphide gas and nitrogen into ammonia. A product called a waxy base oil is produced. The oil contains more than 90% saturated compounds. The final stage is to get the saturation level up to 99%.
Next stop is a dewaxer – called hydro-isomerization. The waxy base oil is converted into what is called Isoparaffins.
Finally there is a very high-pressure finishing step in which the final few percent of residual aromatic compounds are saturated to form very pure, high quality, synthetic, Group III base oil.
Which leads onto an interesting story:
In the USA in 1999 the National Advertising Division (NAD) in response to a complaint from Mobil, ruled that Castrol Syntec, which was based on a Group III base oil, could be considered “synthetic” because modern oils made using Severe Hydrocracking and Hydro-isomerization have most of the same performance features of a “true” Synthetic, being traditionally Group IV
In light of this ruling, Group III base oil can be called Synthetic. Because it was deemed that the molecular structure was changed beyond recognition from what came out of the ground.
But not in Germany. If you go onto www.valvoline.eu you can download the Valvoline SynPower specification sheets – Clearly stating “Fully Synthetic”. However the German version states HC Synthesetechnologie. “Hydrocracked Synthetic technology”.
Group III also includes Gas to Liquid base oil (GTL). This is very different technology. GTL oil starts life as natural gas and through an expensive and complex process it arrives as Group III base oil. The first large scale GTL plant – the Pearl GTL plant opened in Qatar in 2011. The GTL process was developed in the 1920s by the German chemists Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch.
Group IV are Polyalphaolefin (PAO) oils. This was the oil technology that caused the row between the two major oil companies in 1999. We can view this oil as being built in a laboratory, through a process called synthesizing. PAO oil does have excellent high and low temperature performance, with a price to match!
Group V covers all other Base Stocks which are not covered in Group I to IV – Polyglycols (PAG) Esters, Silicons, etc. In the automotive business we come across PAG oil in compressors and Brake Fluid. (DOT 5.1 stands for US Department of Transport)
Now we know the story of crude oil, base oil and legal wrangling’s – Maybe we should look beyond the manufacturing to the oil performance.
The major car manufacturers, after extensive and exhaustive testing are happy to give high quality Group III synthetic oil their stamp of approval – when allied to the carefully selected and balanced additive pack.
As for what the key benefits of Group III Synthetic oils are – the wish list has come true!
Excellent heat removing properties. Able to handle high temperatures and very low temperatures. It has a high Viscosity Index (VI). Low volatility, so it doesn’t evaporate so readily and is oxidative and thermal stability. New and future grades 0W-20, 0W-16, 0W-8 viscosity all require fully synthetic engine oil.
How do you compare the quality of one oil against another? Frankly with difficulty. It’s like comparing different brands of cola. The cola brands keep their recipes very close to their chest. Oil companies are similar. The price is the first indicator. You do get what you pay for with engine oil.
Do the specifications sheets give us the information we seek? They will give us a good indication. If it states full synthetic, we can assume it is Group III hydrocracked. If the oil is Group III Gas to Liquid (GTL) or Group IV Polyalphaolefin (PAO) the sheet is likely to state as such.
The manufacturer specifications are always worth a scrutiny. The last CAT magazine oil article was all about making sense of oil manufacturer oil specifications.
The oil company look up sites do work well to match the correct oil to a car – for example, the Valvoline site: https://valvoline-eu.lubricantadvisor.com/eng/
The Viscosity Index number is worth looking for on a specification sheet. The higher the number the better (within a reasonable top end range and balanced against the price). Add all this information into your own reassurance research of your trust in the brand and come to your own conclusions.
Daily, Certas Application Specialist are out there at the coal face ensuring end users are utilising our vast range of industrial products to the best of their capabilities. But is does not stop there! We are always keen to inform our customers of the latest equipment solutions that can help them achieve further cost savings, whilst striving to provide the safest working environment possible. When it comes to metalworking fluid cleaning and regeneration, look no further than Freddy Products.
The number one brand in the UK for industrial vacuum equipment offering a vast range of solutions for all industrial activities involving metalworking fluids. Certas work in partnership with Freddy Products, recommending the right system for the process, facilitating on site demonstrations, and supporting customers with attractive price packages.
For more information about the vast range of Freddy equipment available from Certas visit:
Since 1930 Tectyl has prevented rust corrosion of nearly every metal surface against the elements for the automotive and a variety of other industries. Tectyl has become a synonymous word for rust protection worldwide thanks to its strong adhesive properties with metal surfaces. Engineered for superior short- or long- term protection, many Tectyl products are multi-functional and can be used against indoor and outdoor exposure to help metal surfaces resist damage caused by moisture, salt spray, hard gravel and harsh corrosives.
