fuel additives do work. Shell says so.

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:08
ThreadID: 34610 Views:3704 Replies:12 FollowUps:7
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For drivers of unleaded vehicles Shell has recently changed its unleaded fuels to contain an additive that gives better fuel economy. In fact, that is the selling point and Shell says it has been proven in long distance testing.
Being someone who has always been a bit skeptical about fuel additive claims of better fuel economy i find it interesting that suddenly a fuel company has come up with a better fuel. Where the hell was it before?
It is an obvious marketing ploy to increase Shell's market share in these times of high fuel prices to have people switch to a more economical fuel that drives your dollar further. Pity when prices were lower Shell was happy to supply us with a worse grade of fuel that ment your vehicle had less mileage and thus needed more fuel fills per kilometre.
I wonder if they will bring out a diesel version or if god forbid prices drop they discontinue they new fuel and go back to the old version without the additive.
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Reply By: FZJ 80 - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:15

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:15
Peter.

Just remember, Shell do optimax and their claim was more k's per tank with it and i guarantee that is true. My old car used to obtain 50km more to a tank on hwy cycle. Maybe similar with new ulp. Only time will tell.

Regards

Greg
AnswerID: 176699

Reply By: David from Engine Saver Low Water Alarms - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:17

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:17
I turned this up on a search:

Site Link

Sounds interesting.
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Reply By: Member - John R (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:41

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 20:41
I've tried Optimax in a number of vehicles, and found no improvement in economy or performance at all.

Clever marketing IMHO.
AnswerID: 176705

Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 22:34

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 22:34
I'm using it in a 3.5L Pajero - Optimax definitely gives better economy/power than Shell's ULP - about 1-2L/100km depending on the driving. Switching back to ULP is like pulling a spark plug lead off a cylinder.

OTOH I decided to give United's Boost 98 another try - city economy has jumped from 16L/100km to about 19L/100km! Not much point adding 10% ethanol if it means you end up using 19% more petrol!!!! I'm burning not only the extra ethanol, but more fossil fuel than before! Crap fuel in my opinion.
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Follow Up By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 08:31

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 08:31
Had the same result in mine.....
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Reply By: Steve - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 21:18

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 21:18
I put some of the new stuff in the othe day and it was 4c dearer than the ordinary unleaded. So much for the "at no extra cost".
AnswerID: 176716

Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 22:36

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 22:36
Sure that wasn't their 95 Octane? It sells for 4c or 6c/L dearer than ULP.
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Follow Up By: Steve - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 19:57

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 19:57
I wouldn't discount the possibility. Not at me sharpest first thing in the morning.
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Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 21:24

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 21:24
Using it at the moment but too early to tell. Tried their Optimax (?) on a previous vehicle and did'nt notice any difference at all.
AnswerID: 176717

Reply By: RupertDog - Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 23:23

Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 at 23:23
Peter

Have been using the better fuel economy Shell ULP for about 4 weeks. Definately seen in improvement in fuel economy of about 50 Kms per tank (not bad over a 55 litres tank) used to get approx 550 kms, but now get a smigde over 600 kms per tank (and slowly climbing).

Have only used Shell during this time as they are the closest servo (by 15kms), and get my 4c a litre off. Local Shell is also relatively cheap most of the time, so little point in shopping around.

Figures are based on pump figues for litres, and odometer figures for Kms travelled. Driving style hasn't changed to any noticeable degree, and this includes a mix of off road and on road. This resutl is in a 2.0 l Rav 4, so may change for the "bigger toys".

I am the first to admit that this is an unscientific test, but IMHO this stuff actually works. Give it try !!

Note: Not affiliated with Shell, or any of its products, just trying to save a few bucks at the bowser each fill up !

RD
AnswerID: 176732

Reply By: Exploder - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 01:06

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 01:06
"In the latest engines, the piston rings that separate the combustion chamber from the bottom of the engine where the oil sump is, have been tightened to prevent oil consumption, which is what the consumer wants," he said.
"In turn that has increased friction on the rings."

Anyone what to poke some holes in this statement?

I have been using shell for years and have see bugger all difference with the new formula and I am sure on my last tank I got below average consumption, I am sure they made some changers but I say marketing ploy more than anything.
AnswerID: 176740

Reply By: Jo and Mark - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 09:55

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 09:55
A few weeks ago (when the Imbil gathering was one) I filled up the pajero, (3Lt) 80Lt on normal unleaded petrol and stuck 15Lt in the Jerry can, again normal unleaded. Emptyed the jerry can into the tank when I could, total fuel was 95Lt.
clicked the odometer straight after filling up,
95Lt of fuel, I got 925km out of it. that was driving to and from Imbil from southside of brisbane, all the 4wding, plus day to day driving.
I thought that was pretty darn good and that was just the normal unleaded, none of the 'supposed you beaut ones'.
Cheers
Jo
AnswerID: 176766

Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 11:50

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 11:50
Guys you can get far better economy if you are going to Imbil by merely going to Gympie & catching the Valley Rattler...Far more exciting as well.
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Follow Up By: Jo and Mark - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 14:56

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 14:56
Hi Mr Fawlty.

Imbil was when we had a 4wd Queensland gathering a few weeks ago.

As for the Valley Rattler... I am on that every night!. Trevor R nicknamed Mark the River Rattler because of his snoring!!!!!! Trevor learned of that on the Imbil gathering we all had in January!
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Reply By: Mr Fawlty - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 11:53

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 11:53
I know i'm off topic but if i use shell diesel I get better economy than the other brands & that is odd because if you check the specs all the diesel is roughly the same, the RON for shell is very marginally higher...
AnswerID: 176788

Reply By: optimist - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 12:10

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 12:10
Either here or elsewhere the issue of which deisel brand gives best economy was a topic & Shell seemed to be a winner. Not sure why. Shell used to be the most expensive fuel in most locations but now seems to be competitive less the 4c voucher.
AnswerID: 176793

Reply By: Bidgee1 - Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 16:48

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 at 16:48
It couldn't be this simple could it..BUT, when I was filling up and contemplating the cost of fuel and the mystery of why we have hung on to our trusty petrol 80 series so long, I read the ad promoting the new fuel.
Blah, blah blah...and right down the bottom on the poster, lo and behold, it says straight up that it's a different brew to that which they used in the economy trial anyway!!
Gotta love those fuel companies.
AnswerID: 176857

Reply By: G.T. - Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006 at 15:30

Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006 at 15:30
No comment at this stage from Bill S . Strange! Does`nt usually let an opportunity like this pass by. Regards G.T.
AnswerID: 177040

Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C.- Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006 at 15:44

Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006 at 15:44
Puh-leeeeze, don't encourage him!!!!!
Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

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