V-Power
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I like it too.
Shell claims it has 5 times the minimum cleaning agents. My question is how many times the minimum do other brands have, say for example Chevron, which, due to an excellent marketing campaign, is the “gold standard” for cleaning agents.
Shell claims it has 5 times the minimum cleaning agents. My question is how many times the minimum do other brands have, say for example Chevron, which, due to an excellent marketing campaign, is the “gold standard” for cleaning agents.
Actually, Shell was just recently added to the Top Tier list.
Top Tier Approval List
The Shell V-Power ad campaign & the Top Tier list, were both announced at about the same time, last summer.
IMHO, even at 5 times more than the competition, the V-Power detergent additives were upgraded to finally meet the Top Tier testing criteria.
Not a negative statement about Shell, but rather an indication of how little detergent adds can be in gallon of gas that we pump on a daily basis.
Top Tier Approval List
The Shell V-Power ad campaign & the Top Tier list, were both announced at about the same time, last summer.
IMHO, even at 5 times more than the competition, the V-Power detergent additives were upgraded to finally meet the Top Tier testing criteria.
Not a negative statement about Shell, but rather an indication of how little detergent adds can be in gallon of gas that we pump on a daily basis.
Shell is the only Top Tier gasoline available in my area.
I note from the Top Tier list, to be listed, all grades must meet the standard. I supect that the premium grade gasolines of several others probably meet the standard, but their regular and mid grade do not.
I note from the Top Tier list, to be listed, all grades must meet the standard. I supect that the premium grade gasolines of several others probably meet the standard, but their regular and mid grade do not.
Shell V Power fuel looks great on paper, but I've tried it a number of times and the car will idle poorly, and spark knock more.
I my area Shell contains 10% ethanol to keep the price down. That's pretty slimy, as you'd be getting only 96% of gasoline's energy content (ethanol has about 60% of the energy in gasoline). I have decided to try Chevron 89 oct for a while. It's Top Tier also....
Ethanol costs about the same as gasoline. There are many reasons to use ethanol, including government mandate to produce oxygenated fuel to octane increase. Of course there's that big farm lobby in the Midwest.
I use only V-Power in both my cars (00 Integra and 92 Legend) and so far so good. These cars call for high octane gas, so why not. We will see if it really works over time. Alot of gas around here is ****. We see alot of misfire problems come into the shop that are caused by dirty injectors.
Common to all top tier gas, read 1.3.1.2:
http://www.toptiergas.com/deposit_control.html
http://www.toptiergas.com/deposit_control.html
Shell just recently (May, I think) started marketing its premium gas in Canada as V-Power (previously Optimax Gold).
It is 91 AKI in my area (Toronto), which is what my German car requires.
1. Anyone know if it is appreciably different from the US stuff? Most of our Canadian gas seems terrrible. Other than measures to cleanup sulphur in the last couple of years I don't see much emphasis on gasoine quality.
2. Any anecdotal feedback from Canadians using it so far? I am on my second tank. Normally I have been using Esso 91 AKI due to convenience and it not being PetroCanada.
It is 91 AKI in my area (Toronto), which is what my German car requires.
1. Anyone know if it is appreciably different from the US stuff? Most of our Canadian gas seems terrrible. Other than measures to cleanup sulphur in the last couple of years I don't see much emphasis on gasoine quality.
2. Any anecdotal feedback from Canadians using it so far? I am on my second tank. Normally I have been using Esso 91 AKI due to convenience and it not being PetroCanada.
I have used V-power (which is supposed to be alcohol free in my area) and compared the fuel mileage to Marathon Premium (Which from this station IS ALCOHOL FREE) and have gotten better fuel mileage on Marathon (By an average of .8)
miles per gallon over a trial of 6 tankfuls of each. The V-power also doesn't seem to have the performance that the Marathon does. The car used is my 1998 Nissan Maxima which requires Premium
fuel and of course with both gasolines I added
my usual dose of Marvel Mystery Oil
miles per gallon over a trial of 6 tankfuls of each. The V-power also doesn't seem to have the performance that the Marathon does. The car used is my 1998 Nissan Maxima which requires Premium
fuel and of course with both gasolines I added
my usual dose of Marvel Mystery Oil
I believe that Shell V-Power is similar to Chevron Premium... I seem to remember reading somewhere that in order to be listed as a "Top Tier" fuel, the additive package in the fuel needs to pass an engine deposit test.
Chevron's Oronite Division develops and sells/licenses this technology to other oil companies. That's where Chevron makes a large portion of its money, through licensing its various technologies, whether in gasoline additives or in hydrocracking technology or in other areas. For example, I believe Chevron pioneered the mass production of boron additives for lubricants, and they sell this technology to other oil companies.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm in error here!
Chevron's Oronite Division develops and sells/licenses this technology to other oil companies. That's where Chevron makes a large portion of its money, through licensing its various technologies, whether in gasoline additives or in hydrocracking technology or in other areas. For example, I believe Chevron pioneered the mass production of boron additives for lubricants, and they sell this technology to other oil companies.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm in error here!
Right - alcohol has 50-60% less energy than gas, but because of the oxygen content, some of that lost power is regained. There is still a net loss, however. 2-3% probably.
I used to have engine check light on. the computer said it is the O2 sensor. After spending $$ to replace O2 sensor, 2-3 weeks later the engine check light was on again. I decided to use V-power, after 2 months, the light was off for almost 10 months until recently 600mil into AutoRX cleaning phase.
The fact that the light was off for 10 months may suggest that it was doing a good job in cleaning.
The fact that the light was off for 10 months may suggest that it was doing a good job in cleaning.
No kidding, I think Shell is the only one on the list who has any wide visibility in all of New England.
Reminds me of the telemarketer who tried to get me to get an Amoco credit card which is also good at Chevron stations. I told him, "I can't even tell you where either one of those stations are"
XOM seems to reign in CT
Neither of my cars like this Shell fuel.
What can I say? Chevron seems to always be best for my Volvos. For money saving we use Safeway fuel and get the $0.06/gallon discount.
Conoco and 76 - top 10 here in the PNW? Don't show all the pizzed off people that list! I heard on the grapevine that the "heavy polymer" was some diesel fuel additive.
Conoco and 76 - top 10 here in the PNW? Don't show all the pizzed off people that list! I heard on the grapevine that the "heavy polymer" was some diesel fuel additive.
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