Fuel quality. Any difference between companies?

**Maki** · 13th March 2009, 01:59

I was wondering if any of you have opinions regarding fuel quality form different companies? Is it better from Mobil, Shell or BP?

**awayatc** · 13th March 2009, 04:46

Challenge brings in their own fuel...
the rest all comes from the same tankers....
Not sure if they stick in different additives or just truck it off to their respective outlets as is.

Only difference are the loyalty rewards (flybuys/aa..)

**discotex** · 13th March 2009, 06:32

Originally Posted by awayatc

Challenge brings in their own fuel...

Really? I thought it was only Gull that bring in their own gas.

But anyway. Check with your manual before running Gull's ethanol blend 98.

Other than that I find Caltex and Shell 95 better than Mobil and BP 98. I only run 98 if I know I'll be near redline alot e.g. track days.

**CookMySock** · 13th March 2009, 06:57

I have never been able to tell the difference between fuels. Lower octane fuels will ping a bit at low rpm and large throttle openings, and wont do as many kilometers - thats it.

Steve

**Quasievil** · 13th March 2009, 07:04

I seriously doubt wether any of you could tell the difference between the companies fuels, difference between high and low octane perhaps but not between the companies themselves.
Oils....now thats a different subject.

**3umph** · 13th March 2009, 07:29

Challange use to bring in its own fuel and it was a lot better when they did...
Since it was sold off im pretty sure that they source it from the same place as the rest...

Additives are added by the different companies but that's if they actually get put in as been told it happens quite a bit that they dont get added

**my_r32** · 13th March 2009, 09:45

All I know is that I'd never use 91.....its shit. In anything. period. .

I use Shell V-power in my bike and car. Dont have issues, only reason I go there is for fly buys

I cant tell the difference between companies, only way you'd find anything out is to test it....properly, like in a lab.

My boyfriend however, swears by BP Ultimate. We dont have anything to compare it to down here though as everything moves a bit slower down south and haven't got the Mobil 98 yet

**Pixie** · 13th March 2009, 10:08

Originally Posted by Maki

I was wondering if any of you have opinions regarding fuel quality form different companies? Is it better from Mobil, Shell or BP?

Challenge was bought out by Chevron years ago,so I expect they have the same product as Caltex

**Nasty** · 13th March 2009, 10:14

Definately tell the difference in octane 91v98 .... I got 91 this time .. they were out of 98 ... I am spewing cos I couldn't get to another station .... the gas is crap!

**discotex** · 13th March 2009, 15:51

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Lower octane fuels will ping a bit at low rpm and large throttle openings, and wont do as many kilometers - thats it.

Well that depends.

Using lower octane than the engine and ECU are designed for may cause knock. If the engine has knock sensors it will then retard the ignition which will cause worse fuel economy. Putting 91 in a turbo or supercharged engine is a great way to kill it too.

But... Putting 95+ in an engine designed and fueled for 91 will result in wasted $$ as you won't get any better fuel economy and you can't stop non-existent knocking.

I'm pretty sure most bikes are designed for 95+ given their high-performance nature.

**Gubb** · 13th March 2009, 15:56

The fuel is all the same, it all comes in on the same boat, the companies then store it in their own tanks, and add their specific additives.

All the additives do exactly the same thing as the other companies. They all clean your engine better than the others, and perform better, with greater economy.

As Quasi said, the Oils are a different story.

**fridayflash** · 13th March 2009, 15:58

Originally Posted by Quasievil

I seriously doubt wether any of you could tell the difference between the companies fuels, difference between high and low octane perhaps but not between the companies themselves.
Oils....now thats a different subject.

There is only one refinery in the country jointly owned by the Oil companies (the main four) we use to own it but a past Govt sold it to them. In this area all the bulk delivery trucks work out of one storage area.

**AllanB** · 13th March 2009, 16:00

91 & 95 taste much the same, but an evening on 98 gives you a sick hangover the next morning..........

**racefactory** · 13th March 2009, 16:42

What about that 'Pack and Save' fuel though? Got a feeling that's fucking dodgy for some reason. 6 cent discounts from shopping there too. Could it be shit quality ?

**Gubb** · 13th March 2009, 17:12

Originally Posted by trademe900

What about that 'Pack and Save' fuel though? Got a feeling that's fucking dodgy for some reason. 6 cent discounts from shopping there too. Could it be shit quality ?

Like I said, it all comes in on the same boat. It's the same fuel.