[Malky]

Well my 1.8Ts not been running badly recently, just not as special as I remember... Over the last 3 months it's had nothing but supermarket "cheap" fuel in it in a cost saving drive!

Filled it up from pretty much dry this morning with Optimax and it seems to run sweeter! The lift-off stutter seems Less pronounced now and it seems to rev more freely. Seems less vibration as well...

Now I know this is odd, but it just struck me on the way back from lunch that it seems generally to run a bit aweeter...

I tried Optimax for a few months a while ago and noticed no difference! Just wondering whether I've seen a lack of the petrol conditioners from the supermarkets petrol having an effect over the last few months.

I'll see how this tankful gets on... In fact I was struggling to get the car to lift-off stutter this afternoon. Maybe that's got something to do with the fact it's booked in the stealers for Tuesday!!

What do you all think is it in my mind? Am I going mad?

 

[PJ]

Without wishing to go over old ground, I've always felt Optimax makes mine run better and when I'm skint and running cheapo fuel I notice my lift off stutter more. I use Optimax more often than not and I think the stutter is getting progressively better. But it's still there.

I remember seeing a test on a n engine run first on ordinary fuel for x000's mile which when stripped was completely gunked up. They then ran the same engine with optimax which when stripped had cleaned a lot of the gunk out from the cheap fuel. Can't remember the source though. It was probably Shell!

 

[klauster]

ive noticed improvments in pickup and fuel economy using Optimax and BP Ultima

[]

 

[Mart4875]

I've used it in the past and the pick up is better & it fills to have more liveliness to it. But same old thing....MONEY.

When doing over 1k a month it's a big diff.

 

[dazzaR32]

I always use Optimax but 2 weeks ago i was skint so i use regular stuff. I only got 27 mpg going to work, with optimax i get 30-31 mpg and the pickup feels smoother.

 

[sutherlandm]

I've done this one to death but basically I think the Optimax/Ultima thing is a big marketing con and there has still been NO conclusive evidence or controlled tests to prove that they work any better, give more bhp or better mpg.

People only report the car "feeling" better or "seeming" faster.

To my scientific engineer brain, that's not good enough to:

1)Spend 10-15% more on fuel.

2) Search out places that sell the stuff.

3)Run out of petrol every time I'm anywhere rural.

 

[iaincoleman]

"the petrol conditioners from the supermarkets "

What are these?

 

[Rye]

Quote: posted by iaincoleman on 10/03/2005 14:59:58

"the petrol conditioners from the supermarkets "

What are these?

LACK of the petrol conditioners from the supermarkets "cheap" fuel

I assume more expensive fuel (shell) has conditioners in the petrol which clean the engine.

 

[sutherlandm]

Helpful?

 

[iaincoleman]

Ah so!! I understand, Mucho Grassy bum!!

 

[Eastman]

You should be ashamed of yourself. Using supermarket fuel in a Golf.[8)]

Some 'accidently' used supermarket petrol in mine once. Felt sluggish and not lively. Full tank optimax....everything sorted. Better fuel aswell.

 

[sutherlandm]

But WHY is it better?!

I agree that supermarket fuels are bad (often old so octane rating drop, no decent additives,etc) but 95 from a proper garage (BP, Esso, Texaco, Shell) is fine I reckon and I know eveything.

 

[iaincoleman]

Ok, when I am a little more flushed with cash, i will try Optimax.

I have never used anything but Regular unleaded. Always from Sainsburys too (Nectar Points!). So maybe next month I will run it down and fill up with the 'lush' petrol and see if there is difference.

 

[Mart4875]

Round my area the Tesco fuel is the same price as Shell

 

[wilag]

Chaps,

Not wanting to disillusion you all but I know a family friend who worked for BP for 30 years and was a designer into the fuel additives.

I asked this question the other week and basically he told me that you are wasting money putting this higher octane stuff into our normal engines, the key benefits are the additives which clean your engine. Again without going into much detail certain Supermarkets use very good additives and are no less a product than the main street guys. In the North of England most of our petrol is refined at Shell Stanlow, BP, Esso and most other companies including supermarkets all buy from Shell at Stanlow and just add there own additive.

So I think this proves that paying up to 10 per litre for this higher octane is a bit of a marketing gimmick.

 

[tylerama]

There was a post on here AGES ago from someone who purported to work for a petroleum company and it said that the cheaper fuels are dirtier and are filtered and cleaned less, and they have more contaminants in them more grit and particles.. apparently. I'm sure there was a link to a page somewhere too.. i'll see if I can search it out for us.

 

[Malky]

I'm sure the weak link in the chain before we buy the petrol is the tanks the petrol is stored in at the petrol stations!!! SOme of them are old and full of rubbish!!!

 

[Black V5]

Each to his own but I firmly believe mine runs better on the higher octane stuff... and thats good enough for me since I don't bother looking at the price!

 

[Rick18t]

I use shell normal and optimax and also bp normal and ultimate, all the time. Now, about a month ago i put a tenner of sainsburys super duper stuff in and strangely enough, it seemed to run better (quicker so to speak) and smoother, than all the others i mentioned and when it is fill up time i am always tempted to go there again for a full tank, but i am drawn elsewhere by the hype. Go try a tenner or so and see what you think.

 

[JonJon]

think it was on here i read optimax is just boosted 95 which deteriorates back to 95 pretty quick,wheras esso supreme is actually manufactured as 97 and don't know if it deteriorates or how quick.