RichUK

I'm seeing lots of posts about Shell Optimax, can someone tell me the benefit of using this, rather than normal or super unleaded?

Thanks!

Lurking Lawyer

Optimax has a higher octane rating than unleaded or SUL - 98.7 as opposed to 95 for unleaded and 97 for SUL. The general (perhaps rather unscientific) concensus, and certainly my own experience, is that using Optimax does tend to give smoother running.

If you believe the marketing bumph (and/or the test done by Evo magazine last year), the additives in it also help keep the valves clean.

Whatever you do, don't use supermarket fuel. They don't tend to include the same kind of additives as the branded suppliers. This can lead to deposits building up on the engine valves and affecting performance.

BSM139

Rich,

Nearest thing to 98 RON that you'll find in the UK.

A little more expensive but you'll find that the majority of us will only use this fuel !!


Bharat

UK_S2000

Depending how much you want to know here is a link to the Shell site:

http://www.shell.com/home/au-en/html/iwgen...x_11280320.html

zero_to60

I tried the supermarket stuff as I had no choice, Sainsbury's SUL, I can't say that I was disappointed with it but.......filling up with Optimax afterwards there was a noticeable difference. Like has been said before it runs smoother

To my mind it's like the difference between a very bottle of good sparkling wine and Champagne

For the sake of an extra

Frisky

Just to be different - I find that my car runs better on BP's 97 ron SUL rather than Optimax! This is after running the car for about 1.5k miles on Optimax to give the ECU a chance to adjust fully.

On Optimax I find the engine noisier and jerky, maybe this is down to improved response or maybe my engine is just a bit looser than most as the car has done 42k miles now.

This is not an economy driven decision, I have a company petrol card so don't care how much it costs!

When you read this site you do get a clear message that Optimax is the best to use, to balance that up a little I would say "not in all circumstances".

- Adam.

san2000

On the Shell Optimax site, it says to add a valve seat lubricant for every 20 litres of optimax....(eg valvemaster)

.................what is this?

zero_to60

Frisky

I have to say that Esso SUL seems to suit my car better too. Mine is also an earlier car model year '01

I use the Opitimax for the cleaning properties

mikepritchard

I normally choose Optimax. However, my S seems quite happy on BP SUL which is more readily available in my area.

RichUK

Thanks for that. So far I've been using Esso SUL, simply because I'm nowhere near a Shell garage. Next time I pass one I'll give the Optimax a go and see what it's like.