[Fuel] Using Optimax

[spidey`s lunchbox]

Hi All

Don`t know if this has been talked about on the forum previously but I was just wondering what people`s findings were on using Shell Optimax or other 98 RON fuels.
Although more expensive, performance and fuel economy figures tend to be better. Particularly interested in any CTR owners views as I`m due to collect my CTR in a few weeks.

This link below has a review by a new Civic owner.

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Shell_Optimax_...Review_5569170

Cheers

[Kremmen]

I used BP 97RON for a month and then BP 95RON for a month and my MPG has been higher with the 95RON.

Being as Tesco's have been running a promotion with 3p off a litre for the last 2 weeks I have been filling up with that and my MPG is still rising.

I'm thinking that my engine is loosening up (only done 2,000 miles) and once the Tesco promotion has ended I'm going back to 97RON for a while to see if my MPG rises.

As far as performance goes I have not noticed any difference, but I don't thrash it anyway.

[Spud]

I've just switched to Optimax to test it out. On the 1st tank I thought the MPG was actually lower than 95ron got about (6.8l per 100kms) . Gave a 2nd tank a chance and have now managed to get it down to around 6.5l per 100km (about 42.5 mpg) Both tanks on mostly mixed driving too and from work. (30 mile round trip)

Am going on a big run next week for my holidays so will fill up again with the dear stuff and monitor the situation. Still not sure myself if its my driving or the petrol to be honest.

[paultoke]

I have used Optimax and BP, but i found Tesco 99RON to be the best and the cheapest IMO. Although you have to use it all the time for it to improve the performance. No good cycling it from one week to another as the 99RON is a cleaner fuel than 95RON. So basicaly your cleaning the engine one week then making it dirty the next.

[Spud]

That could explain why my 2nd tank seems to be giving a better mpg figure then.

[paultoke]

You dont really notice the difference at first. After running on the good stuff for at least a few tank fulls, go back to the old stuff. That is when you notice the change.

[Kremmen]

That's interesting.

The reason I ran for a month on each is that I put in half a tankful each week so that by week 3 I should be running fully on the higher rated stuff.

As I said, the 95 stuff is giving a better MPG than the 97 but I'm going to do the same again shortly as I suspect the engine was tight initially.

I'm also concious that the ECU adapts itself but it does take time.

I've heard that if you are intending to change the RON rating that you should reset the ECU ?

[spidey`s lunchbox]

Good info guys, much appreciated!!

[PTR]

Originally Posted by Kremmen

I'm also concious that the ECU adapts itself but it does take time.

I've heard that if you are intending to change the RON rating that you should reset the ECU ?

After about a half tank the ECU adapts to the "new" type of fuel...
and NO you don't have to reset it! after some driving it learns by itself

it is worth to try a new fuel for 2-3 full tanks duration to really feel the difference...

Since I have the car I use always every time OMV Super 100, so I don't feel any difference just everything is superb!

[Kremmen]

Thanks for that info.

I tried different fuels and RON ratings to see whether the higher RON sfuff at an extra 10p a litre is really worth it and currently I think the answer is no.

[paultoke]

The higher RON fuels will not turn your car in to tyre shredding super car. The difference is more subtle, it give a livelier more responsive drive, noticeably more on the higher performance cars. The performance issue a side and the main reason I use it is that it keeps your engine cleaner. That has got to be good for the car, especially when you start putting some miles on it.