Improved petrol promises better mileage

[Squeak the Rat]

From the herald.

Any one know what the additives are and if there's likely to be problems in bike engines?
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Improved petrol promises better mileage

01.05.06
By Jarrod Booker

A new type of fuel used to set a driving efficiency world record is arriving at New Zealand pumps as motorists seek respite from high petrol prices.

The new formula, to be launched today by Shell in its Ultra 91 and Ultra Hi 95 petrol, is based on the technology used by Australian motoring gurus John and Helen Taylor in their drive around the world using less than 24 tanks of fuel.

Using the new formula and efficient driving techniques, the Taylors managed to surpass the manufacturers' fuel consumption standard for their 1.6 litre Volkswagen Golf by 55 per cent.

Shell says the new fuel will save motorists money, but how much depends on how a vehicle is driven and maintained.

Shell spokeswoman Jackie Maitland said the company's new fuel-efficient product came at no extra cost to consumers.

It was being launched today but had already been introduced to petrol supplies at the company's major storage depots in recent days.

The company had been working since 1997 to develop the improved fuel.

It is aimed at reducing engine friction and improving cleanliness, so energy usually lost upon combustion can be utilised.

Automobile Association spokesman Mike Noon said the effect of the product had yet to be seen but he imagined any potential saving would be attractive to motorists "really feeling the prices".

Mr Noon said anecdotal reports were that people were increasingly turning to public transport and thinking more about their driving and fuel economy.

A lot of savings came from the "style and the way you drive", he said.

"It is very true that the faster you go, the more it costs."

[TwoSeven]

Wonder what the additive is - could just be a 10% ethonol blend like they use overseas.

[Crisis management]

Who needs an explanation! I believe oil companies implicitly and will rush out and drain the bike, car and boat fuel tanks immediately and fill them with this new wonderfuel. I can feel the savings already!

[Finn]

I think it's bullshit. Sure driving efficiently will make a difference but I doubt the fuel does much at all.

I'd like to see a bench test. 55% my arse.

[Squeak the Rat]

Wonder what the additive is - could just be a 10% ethonol blend like they use overseas.

My bike manual says to avoid using ethanol additives. No idea why but i don't want to have to find out the hard way!

I'll try to contact shell to see if they have any idea...... And stop using them until I get an answer. Bloody mondays make me grumpy.

[Swoop]

... used by Australian motoring gurus John and Helen Taylor in their drive around the world using less than 24 tanks of fuel.

I notice they do not list the amount of times they had to push their cage, or the distance covered while pushing the damn thing to the nearest shell gas station!

"It is very true that the faster you go, the more it costs."

Bollocks! Don't they know that it's "the faster you go, the greater the mess!"

[Motu]

Methyl Benzine??.....Maybe Caltex will now bring out Boron....

[The Stranger:Me]

Seems like every time a petrol company announced a new super additive in the past it only lasted a short time before being withdrawn amid accusation that it had damaged this or that in the engine.

Wonder if this will be any different.
Personally I would be cautious and let others find out first.

[James Deuce]

My bike manual says to avoid using ethanol additives. No idea why but i don't want to have to find out the hard way!

I'll try to contact shell to see if they have any idea...... And stop using them until I get an answer. Bloody mondays make me grumpy.

Rots rubber fuel lines and seals, and gums up fuel pumps with the crap that bleeds off the fuel lines. Injected bike - no fuel pump - no go.

[ManDownUnder]

A lot of savings came from the "style and the way you drive", he said.

.... and there... buried among the sales hype... is enough truth to allow them to publish it.

I reckon if I rode the bike very carefully I'd achieve 55% too... y'know - top gear, moderate rev range, everything lubed and oiled, 2am - empty road and highest oxygen density.

Compare that to rush hour 5pm, hot day when the chain needs some attention.

Yeah - 55% would be a doddle.

As for the new additive - who knows.. maybe it will help, but not 55%.

[mummy rider]

Have spoken to the local garage bloke who rides a Harley, after getting my WOF on my bike I asked about the new fuels that are on the market, he advised me unless I have deep pockets to stay away from the new additives that we are being promoted to use. On average he is doing 2-3 farm bikes a week because the new stuff is perishing the seals

[R6_kid:Me]

i normally get 240-250km out of a tank before needing to fill up ASAP, but i have stretched that to 270-280km with a lot of nana riding (commuting only).

The car probably had the windows locked shut, no radio, no air con, everything non-essential removed etc.

55% is a shit load to save, but think, if they knocked 55% off the price of gas and let it eat into their budget for a little while we would all be 10 times happier?!

[JT.]

.... and there... buried among the sales hype... is enough truth to allow them to publish it.

Thats just the AA chump commenting.

They probably did achieve 55% better fuel ecomony, but what else did they have to do to achieve it
I think it's along the lines of what you described to get good economy.

Did anyone see the top gear ep when clarkson drove the audi A8 twin turbo from london to edinburgh and back and averaged 14Km/L. He used no more than 1500 rpm over the whole journey, no air con etc..

Methyl Benzine??.....Maybe Caltex will now bring out Boron....

saw some caltex ad the other day advertising 'Techron' to help clean my engine and give me better efficiency.

[Pixie]

Thats just the AA chump commenting.

They probably did achieve 55% better fuel ecomony, but what else did they have to do to achieve it
I think it's along the lines of what you described to get good economy.

Did anyone see the top gear ep when clarkson drove the audi A8 twin turbo from london to edinburgh and back and averaged 14Km/L. He used no more than 1500 rpm over the whole journey, no air con etc..



saw some caltex ad the other day advertising 'Techron' to help clean my engine and give me better efficiency.

Techron is a cleaning additive that's been around for years.
The major car companies in the US insisted fuel manafacturers use these additives when fuel injection became common.

[Ixion]

Methyl Benzine??.....Maybe Caltex will now bring out Boron....

Benzole anyone?