RE: Esso launches Optimax-killer
Monday 15th November 2004
Esso launches Optimax-killer
Company joins Shell and BP in quest for more petro-pounds
Following the launch of premium petrol brands such as Shell Optimax and BP Ultimate, Esso is jumping on the bandwagon. The oil company has launched "Energy", a name it says it use "to describe the high quality aspects of its family of automotive fuels."
According to Esso, its top grade petrol, Energy Supreme (UL 97), has been specially formulated to help clean-up the engine fuel system and deliver more power. It helps provide smoother acceleration, reduced emissions, and improved fuel economy.
Launching at the same time is an improved diesel fuel, Energy Diesel, which has the ability to reduce the formation of harmful deposits in the engine. Energy Diesel also helps to lower emissions, delivers protection against corrosion, improves fuel economy, and enables a faster and cleaner fill, reckons Esso.
There's more about its fuels here: www.exxonmobil.co.uk/files/pa/uk/futurefuels_Oct2003.pdf
Discussion
shadytree said:Sure is mate. We drive very near it - its the nearest garage to the ground.
Is there an Esso near Bruntingthorpe ?
It sells Super.
We came off the M1 took the 3rd exit, and followed the road for a few miles before turning left towards Brunters trading estate - the Esso is bang opposite. Smiffy tanked up there, and the guy in the Tuscan.
Unless you took Dazs route there? Believe he turns left off the M1?
GregE240 said:
Unless you took Dazs route there? Believe he turns left off the M1?
You are quite correct. With no-one following I normally turn left off the M1 and go via Lutterworth. Of course last time I was head of a convoy, some of whom needed fuel, so I turned right like everyone else normally does and we got lost!
DAZ
Was discussing octane-ratings with a chemist on the Honda-forum at a meet last year. He says that Optimax is just 95-RON with octane-booster additives, which slowly break-down over time, so while initially RON is 98, maybe higher, "old" Optimax is probably only 96 RON. Also, it's MON rating is nothing special. His opinion that Esso Super (this was before the re-branding) has the best MON rating, with BP being one of the worst. As a result, he used Esso super whenever he could.
Much as I love the odd tank of optimax, with fuel prices the way they are, who can justify the extra cost (unless of course you've got a particularly fussy engine, and simply have to use the higher octane fuels)?
Can't help but think I'm probably not the only person who's stopped using premium fuels (that's premium in the genuine sense of the word, not what most fuel companies use as a euphemism for "plain"!), other than for very special occasions (ie. trackday, and probably still wouldn't bother feeding it to the 7 - pulverising acceleration is pulverising acceleration).
Kingr
Can't help but think I'm probably not the only person who's stopped using premium fuels (that's premium in the genuine sense of the word, not what most fuel companies use as a euphemism for "plain"!), other than for very special occasions (ie. trackday, and probably still wouldn't bother feeding it to the 7 - pulverising acceleration is pulverising acceleration).
Kingr
V8 Archie said:That must have been a long time ago then Archie.
It sells Super...
At a price. Best to re-mortgage before you go blatting around the ground.
Last time I was there it was charging over 90p/litre when my most prices I saw (for Optimax) were 82-83p/litre!
I think the Optimax garage near me is selling 95RON normal unleaded at 83.9...? Seem to recall Optimax was near 88p/litre when I last filled the car up?
V8 Archie said:
It sells Super...
At a price. Best to re-mortgage before you go blatting around the ground.
Last time I was there it was charging over 90p/litre when my most prices I saw (for Optimax) were 82-83p/litre!
It was 94p/litre this time!
SOme one else has told me that Optimax goes off too. I didnt believe it when they said the best time to buy it is straight after a tanker has refueled the station as it can go off whilst in storage.
Not sure I believe this though since its in storage at the refineries for a while too. All depends just how long it takes to go off I guess.
I think I'll give Esso a try.
I have found some Supers make the Griff pink. Optimax has been the best so far so I stuck to it.
(Apart from the 99RON version in Italy that was much better!)
Unfortunately I have to use Super unleaded for my motorcycle so I usually put a tank of Optimax from my local station (Binfield, Coppid Beach).
I think the price the last time I filled up was 86p give or take.
In any case, I've tried all the other alternatives and Optimax just seems to help my engine run more smoothly with a better response. The other just don't seem to have this benefit!
Any idea why anyone!?
I think the price the last time I filled up was 86p give or take.
In any case, I've tried all the other alternatives and Optimax just seems to help my engine run more smoothly with a better response. The other just don't seem to have this benefit!
Any idea why anyone!?
Will the premium fuels really make a difference to a standard engine?
I was told when I was racing motorcycles (a long time a go) that you had to use a higher octane fuel when you had raised the compresion in an engine to prevent detonation. Tt is the raised compresion that gave the power gains however, the fuel only allowed you to raise it in the first place.
To use a higher octane fuel and not raise the compresion would not give any measurable benefit.
Hope that makes sense.
I was told when I was racing motorcycles (a long time a go) that you had to use a higher octane fuel when you had raised the compresion in an engine to prevent detonation. Tt is the raised compresion that gave the power gains however, the fuel only allowed you to raise it in the first place.
To use a higher octane fuel and not raise the compresion would not give any measurable benefit.
Hope that makes sense.
burriana500 said:
All depends just how long it takes to go off I guess.
Mine's never in the tank long enough!
But its all the tanks its sittingin before yours that counts!
(know what you mean though. EVERYtime I get the Griff out I have to drive straight to the garage before i can go anywhere! I suppose your "smaller" 3.4 isn't any better than your old Griff was since it spins twice as fast anyway!
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