What is the difference between Shell Helix Grey and Blue?
3 Answers
Shell Helix Grey and Blue differ in their composition. Composition: Blue Helix is a semi-synthetic oil; Grey Helix is a fully synthetic motor oil. Motor oil, engine oil, or engine lubricant is a substance enhanced with additives in base oil, primarily containing anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and multi-grade viscosity index improvers. Motor oil is used for lubricating internal combustion engines. Functions of motor oil: The main functions of motor oil are to reduce friction and wear on moving parts, remove sludge (one of the functions of dispersants) and varnish (detergents) from the engine, neutralize acids produced from fuel and lubricant oxidation (detergents), improve piston ring sealing, and cool the engine by carrying away heat from moving parts.
Both Grey Shell and Blue Shell are Shell engine oils, but they differ in grade. Grey Shell is a premium full synthetic oil. For instance, after using it in my SUV that's over five years old, the engine noise became noticeably smoother, and cold starts were quicker. It utilizes PurePlus technology, featuring high-purity base oil with strong oxidation resistance, making it particularly suitable for turbocharged vehicles or higher-mileage cars. Blue Shell is positioned in the mid-range, available in semi-synthetic and full synthetic variants, and is much more affordable. My previous older Corolla always used Blue Shell HX7 semi-synthetic, which was perfectly adequate for city commuting, with no issues during cold starts, though its cleaning effect doesn't last as long as Grey Shell. Grey Shell offers better protection and durability, allowing for oil changes at up to 10,000 kilometers, whereas Blue Shell requires maintenance every 6,000 to 7,000 kilometers.
Owners who have used both Shell Helix Ultra (Gray Shell) and Shell Helix HX7 (Blue Shell), share your experiences. The Gray Shell has a higher API rating, supporting newer standards like SN Plus and SP, and can address low-speed pre-ignition issues. I chose it for my new turbocharged car as it provides more stable oil film at high temperatures. The Blue Shell has a slightly lower API standard but is perfectly fine for daily use, especially suitable for older naturally aspirated engines. The price difference is notable—4L of Gray Shell costs over 400 RMB, while Blue Shell is about 100 RMB cheaper. The contrast is most obvious in sub-zero winter temperatures: Gray Shell flows better at low temps, lubricating instantly upon startup, whereas Blue Shell takes a few seconds longer. In terms of cleaning performance, Gray Shell is stronger against sludge, keeping the engine internals cleaner over long-term use, while Blue Shell requires more frequent changes. For average car owners, Blue Shell offers better value for cars around 100,000 RMB, but for vehicles over 200,000 RMB or those frequently used for long trips, Gray Shell is the better choice.
