I noticed the same thing, except for Shell Optimax. LOL
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It could be that Australia's 95 octane is just passing 95 octane. The Euro needs 95 under normal driving conditions. If you drive it under load like going uphill, then the octane requirement increases. When using 95, if the preignition occurs, the engine runs richer, retards cam timing and ignition timing to compensate. When that happens, you get higher fuel consumption. I think this is why you see 98 giving better fuel economy on the Euro but not on other cars that require 91 octane.
BP Ultimate, 98 RON here
~5000km 06 Euro, ~9.6L/100km all city driving
been with optimax since new car, now v power so still shell's 98. so i have no idea what other fuel be like :D shell saves 4c + it's close to where i live.
I've been using 98 (from different companies) from day 1 of my car. Then last week, my bro borrowed it and filled her up with Shell 95. I personally could not feel any smoothness or performance difference between 95 and 98 (fuel consumption has not been measured though).
BP Ultimate feels smoothest to me, but not a big difference between the others, and as always, it depends which is CHEAPEST! hehe
I use BP 95RON. Sometimes 98RON but can't notice any difference in power or fuel consumption. 98RON may seem a little smoother sometimes but that could be in my head. Not worth the extra money IMO.
I tried vpower for 4 full tanks then switch back to normal 98 and straight away feel the power lost and the car felt sluggish... but then could not afford vpower all the time and the car is not a honda then.
Anyway put in full tank of vortex98 today... pump until it stop, then pump somemore until it stop again, and still no $50 yet... I thought its full already and didnt want the fuel to leak out... The fuel warning light already blinking when I pump petrol so I thought wow, so little fuel only, and then paid for it.
When I start, its only 3/4 tank full..... the mouth of the tank must be very narrow.
^^ It's the pump's fault. Go to another station or use another pump.