Shell V-Power

andyman2303

Simple question really.

Is shell v-power actually worth the extra 5/6p a litre for a normal car, i.e. not a Ferrari.

I have heard on the grapevine the MPG is improved, and it also cleans the engine to a certain extent. I'm also guessing during the winter it's a blessing with the higher octane number!

Thanks in advance!

Volcano

andyman2303 wrote: »

I have heard on the grapevine the MPG is improved,

If the increase in MPG offset the extra cost, then all other garages would be out of business as everyone queued around the block for Shell's 'wonder fuel'.

Higher RON will probably involve an increase in (the difficult to measure any difference in) horsepower. Though whether this is comparable with emptying your boot of rubbish/tyres at the correct pressure/going on a diet etc I don't know.

I imagine that Shell have a target market for such fuel...........

Markyt

I've heard the same thing, but it hasn't been borne out when I've tried it myself. Same MPG, no noticeable difference when driving.

sad_dog_lady

i have found it gives me two days more fuel... its 10 miles to my nearest bp station though. driving similar week to week and in an aygo 1,0

Indout96

Its only of use if your car was designed for it, many Jap imports can get far better results using it as they are set up for higher octane than the ones we have over here, I ran it in my celica for a few weeks but hardly any change, and the cost outweighed that.

davetrousers

Shell V Power is 97 RON, Tesco Super Unleaded is 99 RON.

mojo_jojo

It does make a difference, but it depends on your car and engine, and the cost increase can offsets the gains.

Shell V-Power is higher octane (it's now actually 99 RON BTW, not 97 anymore) and also has special detergent chemicals that help clean the injectors, parts of engine etc., which means you get a few extra BHP and a cleaner engine. For supercars and newer high performance engined cars (ie 2.0 litre or above) it will make a difference and you can tell the difference after 1 tanks worth of the stuff.

When I tried it it in my car, it did pull/accelerate better and sounded a bit different after a few mins (from a full tank). I guess the "downside" is that you're more likely to rev/accelerate quicker to make use of the extra performance! Driving "normally" (ie no quick accelerations or racing) I managed an extra 20 miles from a full tank of V-Power.

On smaller engined cars (less than 1.8 litres) any gains are smaller to hardly any difference so not worth the additional cost.

A few various car mags did tests of superfuels compared to normal, and they pretty much came to the same conclusion.

dan_essex

only use the super fuel if your car requires it...cars like the Mitsubishi evo X asks for that type of stuff in its user's manual. However, i've also used the super diesel and (on a 200 mile trip) it showed a marked improvement on MPG. Maybe the petrol does the same?

aqueoushumour01

i've found it makes absolutely no difference to MPG but the engine sounds a lot nicer and performance is improved.

eschaton

andyman2303 wrote: »

Is shell v-power actually worth the extra 5/6p a litre for a normal car, i.e. not a Ferrari.

Try 7ppl more.

flyingscotno1

I tried the diesel version- there is a £1 off discount coupon for it (min 30l BTW), and found after a couple of tanks MPG had typically improved by 4mpg. Typically it was smoother and bit better through the power band- not as rackety anyway. Not sure about permanent usage, but as the diesel is a GTL fuel might be good to give it a couple of tanks pre-MOT for emmisions purposes.