shell optimax -gone?
Discussion
Have been using Shell Optimax on my 933 for a while but dropped into my local shell this weekend and seems there is now a VMAX branded fuel. Is this same thing? Could see Optimax branding everywhere in station but only VMAX on pumps. Assumed same thing but on pulling hose led on pump indcated 96.8 octane only - Optimax obviously 98. Guys at desk couldnt help re confirmation of octane. Grateful for feedback - hopefully to confirm VMAX is now my new fuel?
Shell V-Power I hope (rather than VMAX or Craig may need to have words ...)
From the Shell websoite:
"In developing Shell V-Power we have built on the highly successful performance platform achieved with Shell Optimax. Shell V-Power is designed to provide even higher levels of performance and bring drivers further enhancements in responsiveness. The improved formulation features higher octane (99 RON), higher detergency and use of Shell's unique Friction Modification Technology, as used by the Ferrari Formula One team in its 2006 Race fuels."
What worries me is when it goes on to say ...
"Shell V-Power is designed to improve the performance of your engine by helping to remove power-robbing deposits. By cleaning the engine, the fuel can burn more effectively enabling the engine to run more smoothly. It also contains Shell's unique Friction Modification Technology (FMT), as used by Ferrari in Formula One. Reducing friction inside your engine helps your car run more efficiently, which is one of the reasons why Shell V-Power can begin to improve your vehicle's responsiveness from the moment you use it. Find out more about how Shell V-Power Works. "
Isn't that what the infamous Formula Shell claimed to do?
From the Shell websoite:
"In developing Shell V-Power we have built on the highly successful performance platform achieved with Shell Optimax. Shell V-Power is designed to provide even higher levels of performance and bring drivers further enhancements in responsiveness. The improved formulation features higher octane (99 RON), higher detergency and use of Shell's unique Friction Modification Technology, as used by the Ferrari Formula One team in its 2006 Race fuels."
What worries me is when it goes on to say ...
"Shell V-Power is designed to improve the performance of your engine by helping to remove power-robbing deposits. By cleaning the engine, the fuel can burn more effectively enabling the engine to run more smoothly. It also contains Shell's unique Friction Modification Technology (FMT), as used by Ferrari in Formula One. Reducing friction inside your engine helps your car run more efficiently, which is one of the reasons why Shell V-Power can begin to improve your vehicle's responsiveness from the moment you use it. Find out more about how Shell V-Power Works. "
Isn't that what the infamous Formula Shell claimed to do?
police state said:
vinceg said:
Guys at desk couldnt help re confirmation of octane...
Now there's a surprise... (has anyone ever had a satisfactory reply from Petrol Station staff?)
No. You should try it in Ireland. I stopped for petrol in Straffan (where they're holding the Ryder Cup - so not exactly the armpit of nowhere) and because nothing was marked on the pump, I went inside to make sure I wasn't getting 91 Octane. The conversation went thus...(no kidding)...
"Hi! I need a bit of fuel, and before I fill my car up, I was wondering if you could tell me what Octane Unleaded you carry as there's nothing marked on the pumps outside."
The checkout girl looked utterlky bewildered. "What Oxygen unleaded?"
"Ahhm. No - easy mistake to make. Haha. Oc-tane."
The bird looked back at me like a cow looking over a ditch, but trying really hard to catch my drift. " Oxtail?" she volunteered with the sort of eureka expression that led me to believe she genuinely thought I was wondering how much oxtail there was in the station's unleaded.
At this point the owner of the station was called on the internal phone, and she bustled out to see what the trouble was about. I repeated my initial spiel about my car and the octane.
"What......Ox-y-gen?" she said back to me, as though addressing someone a bit thick.
"No. Oc-tane.
"Ox-tame?"
"Ahm - no. Not exactly. Oc-tane. You can buy petrol in different sorts - you know...91 octane, 95 octane, 97 octane..."
With a very put-out expression she went into the back office to check her receipts and find out how much oxtail there was in the unleaded she bought. A couple of minutes she came back out looking pleased with herself and announcing that the station didn't have any of the varieties of oxygen I was looking for, as she'd bought a consignment of 9'S' unleaded, but would that do me anyway as they didn't have anything else.
... You now you know the pain of my daily existence folks!! ... Did you get to find out if the V power in Ireland is indeed a higher octane , (or if the good lady's correct and there's a some local cows who are feeling dejected at not being able to pick shoite up with their prehensile pseudo-pods (tails) anymore???)
I was told (in a most convincing manor) by a Shell station manager that the oxtail in Irish V Power is the same as regular unleaded.
Okay ... Are you ready for this!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you read the FAQ about V-Power on the UK Shell website , it says it's 99 octane.
If you then go onto Shell Ireland and find their V-power FAQ section , they tell you it's 95 ...
..
It's just not feckin fair...
Fill up before you come over , or have a few bottles of octane booster handy.
I hear the 'Bardahl' product is the best , but have yet to try it...
If you read the FAQ about V-Power on the UK Shell website , it says it's 99 octane.
If you then go onto Shell Ireland and find their V-power FAQ section , they tell you it's 95 ...
.. It's just not feckin fair...
Fill up before you come over , or have a few bottles of octane booster handy.
I hear the 'Bardahl' product is the best , but have yet to try it...
ballcock said:
If you read the FAQ about V-Power on the UK Shell website , it says it's 99 octane.
If you then go onto Shell Ireland and find their V-power FAQ section , they tell you it's 95 ...
.. Do we measure octane ratings the same way as in Eire though?
I know the Yanks have a different scale - from memory, they refer to the good stuff as being 93 RON, whereas to us it's 97+. Something to do with it being the difference between taking the RON (research octane number) and the MON (motor octane number) but I can't remember the detail!
ballcock said:
... You now you know the pain of my daily existence folks!! ... Did you get to find out if the V power in Ireland is indeed a higher octane , (or if the good lady's correct and there's a some local cows who are feeling dejected at not being able to pick shoite up with their prehensile pseudo-pods (tails) anymore???)
I was told (in a most convincing manor) by a Shell station manager that the oxtail in Irish V Power is the same as regular unleaded.
No - I decided to quit whilst I was ahead. I just filled my car with 9'S' "Hog's brain?" and went on my merry way. You can imagine the V-Power versus Optimax exchange, though...
"Fee payer?.......Orbital fax?"
As far as I know, anything and everything that masquerades as high 'frock-sale' pett-rill in Ireland, is 97 'box-frame'. Elsewhere, in the developed World (I'm Irish, btw) the 98RON Optimax has been replaced by 99RON V-Power. I buy 100RON BP wherever I can get it. I forget what they call it - BP Ultimate 100 or Excellium, I think.
Lurking Lawyer said:
ballcock said:
If you read the FAQ about V-Power on the UK Shell website , it says it's 99 octane.
If you then go onto Shell Ireland and find their V-power FAQ section , they tell you it's 95 ...
.. Do we measure octane ratings the same way as in Eire though?
I know the Yanks have a different scale - from memory, they refer to the good stuff as being 93 RON, whereas to us it's 97+. Something to do with it being the difference between taking the RON (research octane number) and the MON (motor octane number) but I can't remember the detail!
The peculiar American index is AKI, equal to (RON+MON)/2. The difference between the two (RON-MON) is referred to as Sensitivity.
I understand that Shell are rebranding to favour v-power, which will be equal to or improve upon Optimax. But while the brand is "global", the specification of the branded fuel will be tailored to the requirements of the market, so Eire v-power isn't necessarily the same as English v-power.
Cheers,
WilliBetz
DucatiGary said:
willibetz said:
But while the brand is "global", the specification of the branded fuel will be tailored to the requirements of the market, so Eire v-power isn't necessarily the same as English v-power.
the dutch V-Power is 100
as an example
I filled up in Holland Sunday and the V-Power said 95 RON on the pump (same as the regular 95). The attendant confirmed it but suggested it was more like 97 and there was a nice leaflet in Dutch which again mentioned 95 but seemed to talk enthusiastically about the benefits of V-Power !!
The German V-Power is definately 100 RON
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