Hi Craig,
I worked for BP for 4 years and have now worked at Shell for about the same time. I'm only an IT techhead so know little about fuel (shameful I know!). So I asked the Shell product manager your question and have posted the reply below. It contains a lot of marketing B.S. but the main differences in fuel brands seem to center around additives and fuel density. The higher the density - the better the fuel economy. The additives prevent carbon deposits etc etc. Personally, I like either Mobil Synergy or Shell Optimax - mainly because I know both products are superior quality as compared to other brands. Whatever you do, don't buy fuel from an independant outlet - these guys import the refined (and I use the term loosely) fuel from Singapore. This fuel is cheaper for the wholesaler as the refining costs are less - which results in poorer quality.
Anyway, enough rambling from me. Here is the Shell response...
Cheers,
Adrian.
Check out
www.shell.com.au/optimax for more info.
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To list but a few of Optimax's main benefits:
- Optimax is manufactured from components that are unique to Shell Geelong Refinery. These components are blended together to ensure that the fuel performs in an optimal way in an engine.
- Optimax has a high octane (minimum 98.00, this will mean that an engine is less likely to experience knock due the octane requirement of the engine being greater than the octane of the fuel.
- Optimax has a special volatility profile. This means that the fuel is delivered to the engine in such a way that the engine will respond smoothly and quickly, because the Optimax will burn smoothly in the engine combustion chamber.
- Optimax is a high density fuel. This means that for a given volume of petrol injected into the engine cylinder, more weight of fuel will be present. This generally translates to more kilometres travelled per tank full. The percentage increase can vary due to variables in engine maintenance, vehicle operating and driving conditions but many of our customers have reported up to 5% improvement in fuel economy. However, independent reports (RACV) have shown fuel economy benefits of 6.5% when using Optimax.
- Optimax also contains a high performance additive. This high performance additive can not only keep the fuel and engine inlet system clean but can also remove any deposits already present on the fuel and engine inlet system. This allows the engine to perform more efficiently, and respond better over the long term by keeping the inlet valves and ports clean.
When comparing Optimax to Bp Ultimate, I am not able to provide actual comparative data as Shell are not party to the product specifications of our competitor products (and vice versa) so I am unable to answer that question for you except to say that Shell Optimax was designed specifically for the Australian market using unique components only available from Shell's Geelong Refinery in Victoria. We believe that Optimax provides some specific benefits that are not available from other fuels, based on its high octane, high density formulation, along with its volatility profile and performance additive. Its profile allows delivery of fuel to the engine in a way which results in smooth, efficient operation, while providing added benefits of cleaning your engine while you drive - both the fuel system and the engine inlet system and valves.
My product knowledge of the competitors fuels , suggests neither are as dense, and the density means the fuels burns slower and therefore gives Fuel economy. Both are of the same octane as Optimax, with Mobil's Synergy probably being the most similar in that it has some performance related benefits although it is not a as dense, whereas BP's Ultimate product is more of a green, environmental type fuel.
Regarding the Optimax tankers corroding inside, this is a new one to me! Shell has some very strict quality standards and I believe there is legislation and regulations that would not allow this to happen.
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