10-25-2012, 09:20 AM | #1 |
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Shell V- Power shown to make 5 more HP than regular gas
Apologies if this was covered before, but I was watching yesterday’s episode of 5th Gear on BBC America (the one where they test the Toyota/Scion FT-86, Kia Sportage, and Tiff races a Lambo in the Lambo Cup), and saw a very interesting report on whether premium gasoline (petrol) produces more power than regular gas, at least for UK gas.
They tested shell v- power 98 ROM = 93 premium in the US, BP ultimate 97 RON ~ 91/92 premium in the US and 2 “regular” non premium gasolines. They tested the gas on a 2.0 turbo GTI and a dyno (rolling road for you Brits) and had rigs to switch between gas types w/o contaminating or having left over gas in the tank. The results were that the Shell v- premium made about 5 HP more on the dyno to the wheels. I find that a significant result just by using good gas. See a screen shot pic of results. I have no idea if the gas sold in the US would have a similar formulation, but I would hope so. Esso (Exxon/Mobile in the US) premuim gas also had close to a 5 HP advantage over regular gas. Back when I had a turbo Subaru I could swear that I felt the car ran stronger on shell V-power, but had no proof. I’ve been using v-power since. I theorize that premium gas has a greater effect on turbocharged cars as the cars computer can slightly adjust timing and boost to make more power. As our X3’s are all turbo now (and the X35 since 2011), I figured to pass this along. I know I’ll continue to use shell v-power 93 (US RM/2) on all my cars.
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10-25-2012, 03:07 PM | #3 |
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There are so many things at play here that it would be super difficult to actually determine what is causing the power change. In the United States of course, we all have to subsidize the farmers and burn low energy / high pollution / high price ethanol.
The one thing I do know for certain. Octane rating does not change the energy content in the fuel. |
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10-25-2012, 05:24 PM | #4 | |
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Most BMW engines are rated on the higher octane fuels, for output and fuel economy. Certainly my N55 535i engine is, as is stated in the UK BMW brochure. Older brochures used to say something like the following (for the UK market). "The 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder petrol engines are designed for RON 98 fuel. They may be run on fuel down to RON 91 with a slight decrease in engine power and an increase in fuel consumption". HighlandPete |
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10-25-2012, 09:41 PM | #5 |
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10-25-2012, 11:19 PM | #6 |
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Drives: 2020 F97 X3M
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As a matter of habit I always run Shell V-power and have done so for years.
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10-26-2012, 03:10 AM | #7 | |
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One of our tuning companies (Thorney MotorSport) also ran some extensive dyno tests on different fuels. A tuned BMW M3 CSL showed a 40HP gain running on RON 99, compared to the standard RON 95 fuel. Other less tuned engines (with knock control) also showed consistent improvements in HP, as the octane rating was increased. HighlandPete |
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10-26-2012, 01:13 PM | #8 | |
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fifth gear won't let us in the US view the vidoes on their website. perhaps someone fromthe UK can post the episode video.
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10-26-2012, 03:00 PM | #9 | |
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Does this link? HighlandPete |
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10-26-2012, 03:12 PM | #10 |
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Pete, that video works, but it is not the episode I saw a few days ago, which used a new white GTI 2.0 turbo
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10-26-2012, 04:52 PM | #12 |
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^^^
that is it indeed. thank you
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12-16-2014, 04:32 PM | #15 |
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Super Unleaded can make a huge difference, this is worth a read, it is about adjusting the timing to get the most from the fuel you are using.
It helps explain how much the timing needs to adjust between a 95 and 100 ron fuel. The only difference on our cars, and most modern cars, is we have an ecu that monitors the fuel and adjusts the timing for you through knock sensors. http://classicmechanic.blogspot.co.u...ern-fuels.html |
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12-17-2014, 12:47 AM | #16 |
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i tried a full tank of gas in Eco Mode, in comfort mode ful ltank of gas regular unleaded go more mileage, same route, same circumstances. let me try again could be due to break in period at 1400 miles.
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12-17-2014, 02:44 AM | #17 |
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Super will advance the timing, you will get better mpg figures with it than regular.
But not really going to tell much with only 1500 miles on the car. |
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12-20-2014, 06:20 PM | #18 |
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Well, at least this thread is about the value of better fuels. Many of us just lose it when some nug gets on and asks if it is "OK" to run regular gas in his new BMW, even though the owners manual tells us to run premium fuel (US 91 octane or above). Whatever "savings" may accrue from running lower octane fuels is more than made up by lower mpg, and lower performance as the engine computer retards timing to compensate. I think some of those guys should buy Camrys.
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12-20-2014, 11:24 PM | #19 |
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Decided to end my experiment after 1 tank of gas and stick with Vpower, earlier I meant premium unleaded not regular unleaded.
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12-22-2014, 08:26 AM | #20 |
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One of my friend is an Audi mechanic and he use nothing but Shell V-power. It is suppose to burn cleaner and a add a tad more power in most cars that requires high octane fuel.
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12-22-2014, 09:38 AM | #21 |
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With my last oil change, the service coordinator mentioned that they were seeing some low quality fuel alerts and recommended I only use gas from Shell and Co-op. I do most of my fills at a Co-op near my place but go to a Petro-Can when I want a quick wash (so somewhat infrequently) and only use premium. It was interesting to get this feedback.
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12-22-2014, 06:10 PM | #22 |
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Best thing about shell near me is that they have 0.20 USD off per a gallon on the V-power which makes it cost almost the same as midgrade every tuesday!!
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