thought this was interesting

 

 

Thank you!

It confirms what I always suspected.

They should not be allowed to make these unsubstantiated claims. Class action anyone?

Thank you!

It confirms what I always suspected.

They should not be allowed to make these unsubstantiated claims. Class action anyone?

Unfortunately you would have to test them on a wider range of engines to take any action.

As long as it works say just on the performance engines, then they can say their claims are correct. Even if it just works on one type of engine, there is a good chance they cover themselves. Its annoying, but its so easy to cover yourself, and not break any rules on advertising.

Fact, there is NO octane in an octane booster, check out the data sheets, most contain kerosene.     As the video shows, complete waste of money. I am sure this thread will attract those people who swear by these products but the information in the video looks conclusive to me.

The only advantage I can see of these, is if they contain the additives that help keep the engine clean. Do they contain said additives?

Still, Id much rather a Super Unleaded (or diesel). They actually do what they say they will.

Unfortunately you would have to test them on a wider range of engines to take any action.

As long as it works say just on the performance engines, then they can say their claims are correct. Even if it just works on one type of engine, there is a good chance they cover themselves. Its annoying, but its so easy to cover yourself, and not break any rules on advertising.

Point taken but I honestly doubt it would work on any engine, even less so on a performance engine.

Iirc they also void your warranty... But don't quote me on that!

Actually these can actually work - but not on a modern engine where they have the potential to become the kiss of death.

 

I used a similar product supplied by CASTROL in order to reduce the pinking on my classic bike (see attached). The CASTROL version was also combined with a chemical to mimic lead which this was intended to protect the valve seats. 

 

In then end I bit the bullet did a head conversion and installed electronic ignition so it ran without pinking on what passes for petrol these days.  I then no longer had a need to use an octane booster.

 

This subject came up very recently in another thread on this forum. I will repeat what I said there - use these products at your own risk in a modern engine. They are mapped for modern cruddy petrol so just do not require the use of octane boosters.

 

I only got a glimpse in the video of the Wynns product, but I think I saw that it includes a "valve seat protector" or something similar? In which case I would be worried - if they are using the same chemicals as were used in the old Lead Replacement Products then you may well be exposed to the risk of damage.

I use a lead replacement addative in my old bikes and cars now as the local petrol station that used to sell 4star has now stopped following refurbishment. I also sometimes use a fuel stabiliser over winter. Nothing I use suggests it can improve performance.

I use nothing in our modern cars other than super unleaded in the vrs

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/blog/is-it-worth-paying-more-for-premium-unleaded/

 

http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/premium-diesel-petrol/

 

I can't find it at the moment but the other day found another article, from which possibly, that reckoned for most engines the detergents in premium fuel are useful but one tank every 4 fills would be sufficient to keep the engine tip-top.

 

the only way to know for our engines and individual driving styles is to test it yourself....which is hard given how consumption varies with so much else (i suspect most of us are noticing a drop as the temperatures fall).

 

So far my vrs has had super unleaded only, except 30 litres when nothing but basic was available.  initially I thought I noticed a drop in mpg with that 95 ron/98ron mix, but it went down further on the next tank (back on v-power nitro) so it is temperature related...and made me check tyre pressures, they were down about 3psi.  I'd need to put 50 lites of 95 ron in for 2 or 3 tank fulls to have any real clue, but suspect it won't make things much, if any lower than on premium fuel.  If such a test confirms that, then the car will get premium every 3 tank fulls or so, to keep it clean and tip-top.  

As Minimoke said, these kinds of additives can work in old mechanically controlled engines.

 

Modern engines have many sensors (knock sensors, lambda, MAF, water in fuel) which allow the ECU to monitor the combustion quality & adapt the spark, injection & timing for the fuel quality & RON used.

These is also how many modern gasoline engines can run E10 or E85 fuels without any special changes.

 

As Nieln also commented, with the recent onset of winter in many places you will see a change in fuel consumption figures.

You should also be aware that even in the UK we change the fuel type in Winter which will also give you slight a different in performance & consumption.

I remember having seen a report by (I believe it was) Fifth Gear some years ago where they tested 'premium' fuels on a range of cars, going from daily grocery driver to performance road car. 

The net conclusion was the premium fuels do matter when you drive a performance engine. I believe VAG even requires you to run RON98 in the Golf GTI/Skoda RS TSI because of it.

 

I'm not sure the same also goes for diesel but I faithfully feed my RS TDI the same BP Ultimate diesel and I do notice a difference (slightly more torque), though that difference might just be subjective and/or imaginary. 

Tsi vrs can be run on 95 Ron. The manual says you may notice improvements in performance with higher octane fuel.  Mine has had only super except for half a tank of 95, but not sure if it is worth it, not for every tank any way.

 

I didn't know we change fuel compositions for winter, petrol and diesel?

The only advantage I can see of these, is if they contain the additives that help keep the engine clean. Do they contain said additives?

 

Our diesel Audi A3 from 2002 with 215000km (guess that's about 130000miles) gets some diesel additive from liqui moly every year. The dealer advised us to put in it before the MOT checkup since it failed it once (but the engine was also cold) to get it cleaner. I certainly wouldn't put it in every 2000km like Liqui Moly wants us to.

I do admit that I only use the 98 RON for my Scirocco and in Luxembourg the 98 is always (with the exception of Q8 and Texaco) the version with the additives like Shell V-power, Aral Ultimate etc. You rarely find normal 98 RON here.

 

I didn't know we change fuel compositions for winter, petrol and diesel?

 

They certainly do in Luxembourg (and I assume the whole EU. The diesel gets switched to be winterproof up to -32°C the one we get in the summer doesn't stay fluid at those temperatures.

I'm actually not too bothered about the additives to make the diesel nice and fluid even below 32°C since we don't get those temperatures here.

I think petrol doesn't have that problem (but don't quote me on that)

I didn't know we change fuel compositions for winter, petrol and diesel?

 

For diesel engines there are additives to prevent it freezing as normal summer diesel will freeze between -5° and -10°C.

For petrol some stuff is added to increase the RVP (vapour pressure) to prevent excessive vapour in the tank/system.

Depending on the country the specification of winter fuels will be different (e.g. scandanavia uses Artic spec fuel to prevent freezing at -35°C)

 

You will notice many petrol stations have a small sign by the pumps saying "we have changed to winter fuels" which can sometimes cause problems with the automatic switch off activating before the tank is full.

Thanks. So that is part of why winter fuel consumption worsens compared to summer then I take it.

I was always under the impression that fuel economy worsens as the engines (and everything else in the car) are too cold, take a lot longer to heat up and thus get to the temperature that fuel burning is at its most efficient. Plus you crank up the heating to max, the rear window deicer and so on which all takes a huge amount of energy which ultimately comes from the fuel you burn.

I would hope that if the oil companies sold us a product that would worsen overall efficiency that there would be an outcry...then again they ( and the other big companies all indirectly ;-) ) pay the salaries of our politicians so who knows.