SAFF's ethanol blends

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 09, 2006 at 20:59

ThreadID: 35666 Views:2721 Replies:2 FollowUps:4

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Scubaroo

Has anyone here compared fuel economy from SAFF's E10 Bio Unleaded 95 and 98 with equivalent octane fuels like Shell 95 and Optimax? How do they compare?

Have tried United's ethanol blends, and I reckon their fuel is crap, but I saw the segment on Land Line today on ethanol, and thought it would be interesting to hear how users of SAFF's fuel find them - they're not an option where I live to try out myself.

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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:07

Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:07

I performed a test (three consecutive tanks) of using SAFF E10 Bio Unleaded (only comes in 95 octane rating).

Noticed a small power gain when compared to the normal Shell unleaded (91 octane) but no difference in economy.

Stopped using the bio Unleaded as it was not as convenient to fill up, due to the location of the SAFF service station.

Think you may have the octane ratings confused Mr. Scubaroo.

Shell Unleaded 91 octane
Shell Premium Unleaded 95 octane
Shell Optimax 100 octane - (contains ethnanol and not generally available at pumps)

SAFF Bio Unleaded 95 octane

BP unleaded 91 octane
BP Premium unleaded 95 octane
BP Ultimate 98 octane

I also trialled BP Ultimate but at 8 cents/litre more than standard and with no noticeable economy improvement that I could detect, I stopped using it.

I have returned to Shell standard unleaded 91 octane, which is supposed to include a new Fuel Economy Formula but I haven't bothered to record economy between refills. With the 4 cents/litre discount, this fuel will do me.

Bill

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AnswerID: 182740

Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 21:34

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 21:34

Interesting - SAFF list "Bio Unleaded 95" and "Bio Premium Unleaded 98" E10 blends on their website.

In Victoria, there's four types of petrol available at Shell.

ULP - 91 octane
Shell 95 - 95 octane (6c/L dearer)
Optimax - 98 octane (10c/L dearer)
Optimax Extreme - 100 octane (17c/L dearer)

Optimax Extreme contains 5% ethanol - sounds like it has different marketing in different states. It's a new fuel and has only been out a few months, and is only in a few locations here too. It only used to be 14c/L dearer than ULP, but last I saw it had gone up. Only tried it once, didn't notice any change in power or economy.

BP has 91, 95 and 98 octane fuels in Vic.

FollowupID: 439519

Reply By: donks1 - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:17

Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 21:17

hi there

when i was working in nth qld AYR had 1 of the first trials of ethanol. all the cane cockies loved it but as i was working for a major dealership at the time, we enquired with all 12 car manufacturers and they all advised not to use it. To the point that warranty would be voided.

this isn't to do with octane levels but is something to think about

AnswerID: 182810