Shell V-Power

[2ndclasscitizen]

Just thought I might make up a quick post about Shell V-Power, I've been using it in the Calais for the last week. V-Power has replaced Optimax as Shell's best fuel, it's supposed to be an all new formula, developed by Ferrari, blah blah blah. Anyway, I thought I'd give it a go, since Dad only ever puts regular ULP in it. The car in question is a 2004 VY2 Holden Calais with 235kw 5,7 LS1 V8 and 4spd auto.

I've noticed an increase in economy. My Dad usually averages 14l/100km on 91RON ULP, this is city driving, but mostly at at least 80kmh, with a fair bit at 90kmh. He is also a quite, well, sedate driver. Doesn't really give it any, cruises around.

Now, I drive it much harder. Usually rev it out through 1st and 2nd, out to about 3-3500rpm then lifting off to make it short shift through 3rd into 4th. Going everywhere at least 80kmh, usually about 100kmh in 80 and 90 zones. On 91RON the economy was usually somewhere between 15 and 16l/100km.

Now, with V-Power, it has dropped down. First tank stayed around 14l/100km, now staying down around 13.5l/100km. This is including a (rather rapid) drive through the Brindabella's along Paddy's River Road (nice and twisty ) 3-up. So I'm impressed. I could see my Dad getting down below 13l/100km. Seems to rev a little nicer and swing out to the limiter a little more smoothly (still a little strained, needs a better intake.) Dunno if it's worth an extra 10c p/litre though.

(And if anyone thinks this is spam, you can delete it. But I thought some here might be interested)

[jorismo]

You're actually one of the few people from who I heard that use V-Power. You're talking about fuel economy here but wasn't V-Power made to get better performance? I mean it was supposed to improve acceleration and top speed, not the economy.

Perhaps I can convince my dad to tank V-Power Diesel for a few weeks and see the result for myself.

[Lagonda]

V-power = waste of money.

Unless you compare it to 91RON or lower fuel maybe. But the minimum over here is 95 which is perfect for 90% of the engines out there.

[VtecMini]

You're actually one of the few people from who I heard that use V-Power. You're talking about fuel economy here but wasn't V-Power made to get better performance? I mean it was supposed to improve acceleration and top speed, not the economy.

Perhaps I can convince my dad to tank V-Power Diesel for a few weeks and see the result for myself.

One of the selling points of the premium fuels over here is that they claim to get an extra 50 miles (or something like that) out of a tankful. I think it's the BP one that advertises that. It also cleans up you emissions, so I'd be tempted to drop a tank or two in before an MOT if I were concerned about the emissions.

On a related note, I've decided to completely stop using supermarket fuel. I'm sure it's utter chaff. I'm coming up about 60 miles per tank of diesel short of what I usually get. Now in all fairness, it's always dropped a bit over winter, but not that much.

I've never actually tried using the premium diesels. Anyone got any experience with them?

[jorismo]

What do you mean with premium diesels? If you mean diesels from big company's I can tell you than the Shell diesel is excellent.

On our Renault we always get Shell. We once used some BP because we couldn't find a Shell and the economy wasn't as good as the Shell.

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

I get between 320 and 350 miles from a tank in the Peugeot. I think that's really bad- it works out at about 31mpg on a good day

My dad can easily get 36mpg, but that's not exactly amazing from a 1.4 Civic.

[Ferrer]

I get between 320 and 350 miles from a tank in the Peugeot. I think that's really bad- it works out at about 31mpg on a good day

31mpg in the 206 is bad. The Mini averages 30mpg (about 9,5l/100km) and that includes me overtaking everyone in the city... and my mother's rather more sedate way of driving...

EDIT And I always put 95 in the car.

[Cyco]

I use V-Power or Vortex 98 in NSW or Ultimate in Victoria and SA.

I find they run longer and ping a lot less than 95. I'd try V-Power Racing, but the fuel system hasn't been ethanol approved.

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

31mpg in the 206 is bad. The Mini averages 30mpg (about 9,5l/100km) and that includes me overtaking everyone in the city... and my mother's rather more sedate way of driving...

EDIT And I always put 95 in the car.

Same, I always go for 95 RON.

I got 354.1 miles out of the last tank, and then I actually ran out of petrol on the road... so embarrassing... so that makes it 33mpg. Shit.

Also known as 8.78l/100km.

[Ferrer]

Same, I always go for 95 RON.

I got 354.1 miles out of the last tank, and then I actually ran out of petrol on the road... so embarrassing... so that makes it 33mpg. Shit.

Look at it this way, you managed to outrecord yourself...

(Sorry, I can't stop laughing thinking of the situation...)
EDIT While crossing Switzerland this summer (and in torrential rain) I managed to see a 730km range in the trip computer. If we bear in mind that the Mini's tank has 50l of capacity, that equals to 6,8l/100km. But it's bloody boring to drive in a way to achieve those kind of figures...

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Look at it this way, you managed to outrecord yourself...

(Sorry, I can't stop laughing thinking of the situation...)

Sod you!

I'll have you know that I nearly got lynched. We ran out on one of the busier single-carriageway roads, in the middle of rush hour.

Still, definitely gave an accurate indication of how economical the car is- emptying the tank

[Lagonda]

Reminds me of something:


Artist: Cake Lyrics
Song: Going The Distance Lyrics

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags goes up,
Churning and burning, they yern for the cup.

They deftly manouver and muscle for rank,
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank,
Wreckless and wild they pour thru the turns,
Their prowless is podent and secretly stern.

As they speed thru the finish the flags go down.
The fans get up, and get out of town.
The arena is empty except for one man,
Still driving and striving as fast as he can

The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup,
But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns,
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.

He's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
She's all alone, all alone in her time of need.

Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
He's going the distance.

Yeah!

No trophy, no flowers, no flash bulbs, no wine.
He's haunted by something he cannot define.
Bowel shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse,
Assail him, impale him with monster truck force.
In his mind he's still driving, still making the grade.
She's hoping time that her memories will fade,
Cause he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.

The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
But he's striving and driving and hugging the turns,
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.

Cause he's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
She's all alone, all alone in her time of need.

Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's figting and biting and riding on his horse,
He's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's figting and biting and riding on his horse!

He's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
He's going the distance...

Awesome song, awesome band (lot of car related songs).

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Yeah, yeah, real funny... I'm dying of laughter here!!

[jediali]

these extra fuels are useful with clever engines that have knock sensors so take advantage of the extra thermal efficency of higher octane. my engine doesnt have such technology so would treat this fuel like normal fuel and therefore burn it conservatively...IMHO.

[derekthetree]

V-power = waste of money.

Unless you compare it to 91RON or lower fuel maybe. But the minimum over here is 95 which is perfect for 90% of the engines out there.

what about the cleaning effects of fuels such as V-power and BP Ultimate?