Shell Celebrates the Summer Road Trip With Two Ways to Win

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 13, 2012) - In Canada, road trips are a summer staple, and Shell wants to help Canadians make the most of their getaways this season. To make this possible, mechanics across the nation were polled for their expert opinions about vehicle performance -- and Shell is rewarding its loyal customers this summer with two ways to win on the road.

Here are the top five tips from Shell to prepare for your road trip and get the most out of the performance of your vehicle:

1. Schedule a full service check-up BEFORE you hit the road. According to a new Leger Survey of Canadian mechanics, 90% say the biggest mistake they observe vehicle owners make is waiting until something goes wrong until they bring their vehicles in for servicing.
   
   "Prevention is always better than cure, and it tends to be less expensive in the long run. Don't forget to have the air filter checked regularly. A partially blocked filter can cut the engine's output and kill fuel economy. No one would run a marathon wearing a snorkel - driving your car with a plugged filter is asking the engine to do exactly that!" says Graeme Fletcher, a licensed mechanic and automotive journalist working with Shell.
   
   
2. Chart your route. Thanks to smartphone apps, like the Shell Motorist app, calculating your route and even estimating the fuel cost of your journey is easy -- it might even help you avoid being stranded with the gas gauge on "E".
   
   
3. Keep vehicle fluids topped-up. Just as you would never run a marathon without hydrating, your vehicle should not be taken on a road trip without the proper amount of engine oil, transmission and brake fluid, coolants, and windshield washing fluids as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer guide. This is a key tip even beyond long road trips. 84% of mechanics surveyed say vehicle owners can help extend the life of their vehicle's engine by simply monitoring lubricants and fluids in their engine regularly.
   
   "Regular oil and filter changes help extend the life of an engine," adds Fletcher. "Operating an engine with low and/or dirty oil is the fastest way to an expensive repair! And don't forget to check the tire pressures. A vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 kilometres and increase the vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%*."
   
   
4. Choose the right fuel. With 87% of mechanics surveyed agreeing that there is a difference between high and low quality gasolines, even selecting the right fuel on your pit stops can have an impact on your vehicle's engine. "Low-quality gasolines can cause build-up of performance-robbing gunk on critical engine parts which can make your engine less-efficient over time," explains Fletcher. "With 20% more cleaning agents than before, New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines protect intake valves and fuel injectors from performance-robbing gunk. No other gasoline protects better."
   
   
5. Pack an emergency kit. Even the best-planned trips can encounter unexpected troubles. Pack emergency essentials like a rechargeable flashlight, first aid kit, flares, jumper cables and the contact numbers for your insurance agency and your roadside service provider.
   
   

Now that you have some tips to get you ready for the road, it's time to see if your road trip memories can help pay for your next great adventure. This summer, customers are invited to relive their favourite road trip memories for a chance to win $1,000 of New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines through the Shell Favourite Road Trip Contest.

To enter, from now through September 16, 2012, Canadians who love to hit the road can visit www.shell.ca/favouriteroadtrip to submit an essay, in 250 words or less, describing their favourite Canadian road trip (one entry per person). Eligible entrants will have a chance to win one of three prizes of $1,000 of New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines.

For official rules and more information about the Shell Favourite Road Trip Contest, visit www.shell.ca/favouriteroadtrip. No purchase necessary to participate. Submission period ends 11:59:59 PM ET on September 16, 2012. Must be a legal Canadian resident, and have reached the age of majority in the entrant's province or territory of residence.

Canadians are also encouraged to make their summer pit stops at Shell for a second chance to win. The Shell 5,000,000 AIR MILES® Reward Miles Giveaway gives customers even more incentive to purchase Shell fuel and shop in-store. Until September 16, 2012, there will be 100 winners selected every week to win 5,000 AIR MILES® reward miles each. For full rules and how to enter visit www.airmiles.ca/shellcontest.

"Through our Shell Favourite Road Trip Contest, we're celebrating treasured road trip memories, and giving Canadians the chance to be fuelled up for their next epic drive," says Diana Hamadeh, Shell Canada Communications Manager. "At Shell, we understand that consumers are looking for the most value on their everyday purchases like fuel and we strive to provide high-quality fuels while offering valuable rewards so that consumers can spend more time creating great road trip memories to cherish."

For the latest news on Shell fuel technologies and programs, money-saving fuel tips, promotions and prizes, favourite vehicle stories, photos and videos and the hottest news in Shell Motorsports, like our Shell On The Road Canada Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Shell/shellontheroadcanada.

For additional information on the New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines or Shell V-Power^† Premium Gasoline, visit shell.ca/nitrogen or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/Shell.

* Source: Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency Auto$mart Thinking program.

† Trade-mark of Shell Brands International AG. Used under license.

® Trade-mark of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license.

Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

Shell Canada Products
Shell has been operating in Canada since 1911 and employs approximately 8,000 people across the country. A leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of refined petroleum products, Shell produces natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen, and is Canada's largest producer of sulphur. Shell is one of Canada's oil sands developers and operates the Athabasca Oil Sands Project on behalf of the joint venture partners.