[Fuel] Shell V-power petrol

[FWH]

In various threads, some users have noted advantages using Shell V-Power petrol. In order to quantify these opinions, here is a poll.

Results are public.
You can select multiple options (logically only both better mpg and better performance is applicable).

[P@tje]

I use V-power all the time since I bought the car!

Over here the specs are RON 95 on the sticker but it's RON 97 for real.

It's cheaper then RON 98 super of other oil company's.

The first reason that I use this stuff is to keep the engine clean.

[Brodick]

Our dealer uses the shell garage just down the road from them
to fill their cars and provide the free tank of fuel and so I have only ever put shell in it but- just the normal stuff

might give V-power a go the next time although it is roughly
4/5 pence more per litre

[FWH]

Doing some research on the internet (where, as we know, everything is true) I have found some interesting things.

1) The motorcycle magazine Bike has in issue 6, 2007 tested 95 octane, 98 octane and V-power on bikes using a rolling road and not been able to measure a differance in power output. Their conclusion was however that it may help engines with very high compression.

2) The Swedish TV-ad for V-power ("Gives your engine adrenaline") was banned.
This was due to the fact that the results are not to be proved to be as "explosive" as portrayed in the ad.
In 18 av 31 cars tested, the accelaration improvement was 1,5% or less.
The best improvement was 5%.
I understand that these were Shell´s own tests but I am not sure.

3) Car24.se tested V-power in a Seat Ibiza Cupra -99 and subjectivly found the car to be more powerful after 100km driving.

4) A number of drivers of different cars do have a feeling that the car runs better, but also some notice nothing. This from a variety of forums.

Do however note, that their MAY be a long term affect of a cleaner engine above and beyond any immediate changes.

[FWH]

Links to past threads on the subject for reference:

V-Power for the Civic?

Shell Optimax Fuel Review - For Petrol Owners

and also related to fuel:

Supermarket fuel

[FWH]

LOL Pottsy....

(he added the "I´ve got a diesel and want to vote for someting" option)

[Eutai]

Originally Posted by P@tje

I use V-power all the time since I bought the car!

Same here.

It's advertised as being 99+ here.

[SimonB]

Some Shell garages are now selling V-Power Diesel!

[Rocko]

I want BP 102 to be more readily available

[zio]

I've used 4 tanks of V-Power now and I seem to be getting less MPG than before.

That said, I'd only ever filled up with 1 tank of regular go-juice as I've only had the car a few weeks, so today I'm going to fill up with regular Shell unleaded again and see how it goes from there.

[P@tje]

Originally Posted by zio

I've used 4 tanks of V-Power now and I seem to be getting less MPG than before.

That said, I'd only ever filled up with 1 tank of regular go-juice as I've only had the car a few weeks, so today I'm going to fill up with regular Shell unleaded again and see how it goes from there.

I suppose that the MPG thing is a commercial thing. It's true, in case of when an engine is full of dirt, and by the use of cleaning fuel like V-Power, the engine will become less dirty, and then you will get a better MPG.

If your engine is brand new or almost brand new, the difference will hard to be measurable.

BUT: today's engine's like to REV, but also are made to do their thing good with low rev levels, and these low rpm's will cause more dirt, ie carbon, inside the engine, valves, EGR etc.

That's why the use of better cleaning fuels, like V-Power for instance, is usefull. That's for me the reason to use this stuff. Other said: to KEEP the engine clean. All other features are nice to have but not measurable.

[FWH]

So far 65% of those who have tried it have seen an improvement...

[binchy]

Didnt topgear do something on this many moons ago, testing different RON's of petrol?

Or am I dreaming?

[jalaman]

Fifth Gear did a comparison. Shell Optimax is now called Shell V-Power.

http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain....&featureid=143

[FWH]

Originally Posted by jalaman

Fifth Gear did a comparison. Shell Optimax is now called Shell V-Power.

http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain....&featureid=143

Interesting!
I think that is proof that it CAN work.
Question is what it does to our 1,8 and 2,0 non-turbo Civics?

[adamski]

thought i'd chip in, although i use bp not shell...

from new i tried to keep using bp ultimate in my 1.8, with the odd time where i put brand xyz normal juice in for lack of finding a bp garage en-route to places. The main and interesting differences i have spotted between the fancy jungle juice and normal pond sludge are that:

on fancy stuff i actually seem to get less MPG, although the engine does feel slightly more willing to rev and makes a lovely sound

on pond sludge i find that i quite strangely get more MPG, but by comparison the engine sounds like its got a chest infection and it maybe just slightly less willing to rev

This isnt very scientific - my engine has only just crossed 3k miles so its probably still loosening up and its more about feeling than measured observations. Im also starting to think i get worse economy on the good stuff because i rev it more.

I think ill keep using the good stuff wherever possible simply because the engine sounds nicer and its at least supposed to keep your engine clean.

[allan40alt]

Well put, adamski. Who cares whether you get 45mpg or 40mpg so long as you are enjoying the drive. BP Ultimate for me all the time.

[FWH]

Well I am going for V-Power in my 1,8 now.
You have all convinced me.

I am guess you are all shareholders of Shell Plc?

[Rocko]

The amount of Shell I use I'm seriously considering buying shares!!

[binchy]

Originally Posted by jalaman

Fifth Gear did a comparison. Shell Optimax is now called Shell V-Power.

Features - Fifth Gear

After reading that im doubtful it would do anything to our NA Petrol Civics. Might just stick to the normal juice.

Although as im gettin a company car and get free fuel im not sure what the policy is on this. I can see me getting a thrashing from the MD for filling my baby up with Shell V-Power!