Tesco 99RON fuel - tested

[Ricco_04]

I\'m using Optimax at the moment.  Just thought as the car was designed for 95 Ron fuel then Det wouldnt be an issue cause thats whats it\'s designed to run - even says 95ron fuel on the filler cap.

I shall continue with Shells finest!  :chat

[ro284]

Is yours a UK car Ricco?
Bob

[Ricco_04]

Yea mate, UK car  

[Mark Ide]

well its up to you if you want to take the chance!

No matter what the cars designed for (100 RON, 80 RON, blah blah) using a higher octane fuel is ALWAYS going to help stop detonation.  I would use it purely for that reason alone. Just think - its what, 3p per mile for that extra safeguard...

ok I understand so far that it\'s fairly easy for Uk cars spec\'ed to run on Uk fuel, and the situation is clear if you have had your car mapped for a certain fuel, but I\'m still confused / stupid regarding standard spec JDM imports: should we keep with Opti for better cooling or go for the tesco99 since it\'s closer to Japanese 100 RON?

As I read this at the moment, if there is no detonation then Opti should be better due to the detergents etc and cooler running but then it is still more expensive and according to the above, we don\'t know if there is damage until it\'s done, unless you have Apexis and knock sensors and the like?

So to my simple brain would it best to just alternate between the two? I\'m not planning on remapping JUST yet (peeps over shoulder to see if beloved is reading this.....), or just go for tescos as it\'s cheaper (until the rebuild   caused by build up in the engine etc) and closer to what the car was designed for?

Sorry about the long post, just interested really to keep my newly rebuilt 13B TT happy for as long as poss!!!  :3gears-lh

[Bobfish]

You can do what you like to be honest mate, i cant help you with your fuel choice as i have no facts to base my advice on. I however, will be sticking with optimax for the foreseeable future - but may consider running half a tank of tesco\'s through my car just to see how it runs.

oh, and yes - UK cars are fine to run on UK Fuel as they are mapped for it. However - excessive carbon buildup in the engine increases your compression ratio and compression ratio is a very important factor relating to detonation. How do you know your engine doesnt have carbon buildup?

Its the same as the age old argument - OMP injectors versus premix oil in your fuel. How do you know your oil injectors are working? You dont. Some people choose to add extra oil into their fuel just incase.  Its all about how cautious you want to be with your car.

[Mark Ide]

Thanks for the reply, there should be no build up as the engine is newly rebuilt.
Probably will go for Opti but may try Tescos, good to know it\'s an option.
Just seen a mention elsewhere of "New Optimax premium, allegedly 100RON", but nothing about it on shell website although Austrian Shell website mentions that their Opti equivalent is 100octane (same as 100RON?)

[Ricco_04]

excessive carbon buildup in the engine increases your compression ratio and compression ratio is a very important factor relating to detonation.

Bloody good point well made!

[Bobfish]

why thankyou

[Ricco_04]

Ooh, have some rep points, I always forget about them! (not sure what they do - maybe you can cash them in for beer money!  :guinness )

[andrewrx7]

Might also suggest, that UK models may well have been mapped to UK fuel - but it was fuel available at the time, presumably pre-91! Thats a good 14 years ago, at least. Fuels have no doubt moved on significantly since then, and if there is a better one available now (rather than then), then it may be a good idea to use it. Thats not to say std unleaded hasn\'t been improved from the point of view of detergents etc anyway?

[Trevrx]

Just seen a mention elsewhere of "New Optimax premium, allegedly 100RON", but nothing about it on shell website although Austrian Shell website mentions that their Opti equivalent is 100octane (same as 100RON?)

I asked Shell about 100 RON Optimax last week, this was there response:

Dear Sir,
I am writing further to your email enquiring whether there are plans to bring 100 RON V-Power to the UK.  
Shell do not currently have any plans to introduce 100 RON unleaded petrol to the UK market.  Shell Optimax was developed for those UK motorists who seek increased performance and protection for their car.  In determining which fuels to offer to our customers in any given market we undertake extensive research in order to determine which is the most appropriate portfolio to make available.  Markets will vary in many ways and we seek to supply the fuels most appropriate for our customers in each market given current customer needs, emerging customer needs, and manufacturing and logistical capabilities and constraints.  With Shell Optimax we feel we have struck the right balance for now in the UK market and we are delighted with the customer response that we have experienced since launch.  
We do however take on board requests from our customers and do note the interest there is in higher specification fuels, such customer feedback will form part of any future premium fuels initiatives.
 
Thank you for taking the time to contact Shell.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Matthew Wagster
Customer Relations - Retail
Shell U.K. Oil Products Limited
Rowlandsway House, Rowlandsway, Manchester M22 5SB, United Kingdom

[andrewrx7]

I\'m sure I\'ve that same response elsewhere!! Would suggest it seems to be a std reply they send to people asking about higher octane fuels.

[Mark Ide]

Trev Thanks for that. It\'s a shame but there you go. I wonder why they sell it in Europe then? Lots of Ferraris over there

[the lemster]

just looked again on the 99 ron tescos fuel webiste and there is still nowhere in a 50 mnile radius of me that sells it... I am in bheltneham half way between bristol and brum and 45 miles form oxford...

I am in a RON blackspot uinless i missed something...

still optimax suits me fine at the mo

[power_king]

You could tyy checking out http://www.petrolprices.com they have all the uk petrol stations, prices and you can even search by postcode.
btw - has anyone seen the article in this months Evo magazine about BP Ultimate being better than Optimax??