I have owned my car (DC2, Factory Engine & Factory Tuning) Rebuilt with OEM Honda Parts, for over a year. My results are as follows:
I was going to write up a entire review of fuels but didn't think it was worth my time / usefull enough to the OH community. Keep in mind that during testing, my car was driven conservatively with consistant (throughout differant fuels) but few "trips into VTEC" and fuels wernt judged until a "run through" tank was used.
All measurements of Distance/tank is taken by a full tank (pump cuts off 3 times) until the fuel light displayed for the first time. (excluding when driving over irregular terrain). ALthough i acknowledged and researched this it wasnt an "individual project" just recording and being alert to changes in car behaviour. The trips taken were a mix between "country and city" driving.
Route:
From Eltham to Wantirna South (Knox City)
Distance: 27.2kms, Average Time: 38 minutes, Average Speed: 43.2km/h
In this case:
*"Full Tank" = 41-42 Litres so add a +-2% margin of error
Rankings:
1. Mobil Synergy 8000
2. BP Ultimate
3. Caltex Vortex98
4. Shell V-Power
Testing Order: Shell V-Power -> BP Ultimate -> Vortex 98 -> Mobil Synergy
Overview:
4. Shell V-Power
Pros:
- High End Power Output (above 5500rpm)
- Average to Above Average Fuel Consumption
- its "developed" by "Ferarri"
Cons:
- "Cracked" at 95 Octane, Large Amounts of Additives
- Unclean resulting in high carbon deposits
- Low end Torque suffers particulary below 3500RPM
- Rough and "Searching" Idle
I've found shell V-Power to be a "rough" and unclean fuel. Really only showing benifits to those who keep their engine above 5,000rpm, and have little care for fuel system cleanliness.
Average Km's/Tank* Results: 476km, 483km
3. Caltex Vortex 98
Pros:
- Relatively Cheap
- Average Fuel Consumption
- Illiminates Rough Idle
Cons:
- Scarce
- Average Performer in all areas
Vortex almost feels like the fuel that was developed for the car. The car has no noticable powerband, Stable Idle and Little to Medium Carbon deposits.
Average Km's/Tank* Results: 461km, 473km
2. BP Ultimate
Pros:
- Smooth and Very stable Idle
- Little to No Carbon Deposits
- Low End Torque
Cons:
- Expensive
- High-End Power Suffers noticably
- Poor Fuel Economy
- Not as good Cold/Cool Starts
BP Fuel is the fuel you are safe with. Its clean, provides a stable idle, and has good low end torque. However, fuel economy suffers noticably. Not for the 'hip-pocket' concious.
Average Km's/Tank* Results: 434km, 447km
1. Mobil Synergy 8000
Pros:
- Stable Idle
- Cheap at times
- Fantastic Fuel Economy
- Low Carbon Deposits
- Low End Torque (particulary noticable in high gears (3&4) below 4000rpm)
Cons:
- High End Power still has room for improvement
- Idle can be rough (although stable) compared to BP Ultimate
Mobil Synergy is the ultimate solution. It provides great fuel economy along with smooth and noticable low end torque. It isnt quite as clean as BP but is close.
Average Km's/Tank* Results: 498km, 513km
My results have been confirmed by two contacts that work for BP and Shell one of them in the refinary down in Geelong. Although they both agree that my results are consistant with their experience and knowledge. They raised very good points..."Although a fuel may be fantastic you may have a batch that is lower in quality sent to a district of fuel stations or possibly all for a period of time. Although you will find most fuels will give somewhat consistant readings. "
DC2 Fuel Guage Discovery
Extremes:
- Turning Right on a decent will decrease the fuel reading
- Turning Left on a accent will increase the fuel reading
Doing either will effect the fuel gauge less dramatically...Now that is almost completely and utterly useless information, but something I discovered none-the-less!
IMPORTANT FACT
Higher octane fuel is NOT directly related to improving power output. In fact, its the complete opposite. A higher octane fuel burns slower and more efficiently. Meaning less fuel consumption but less power output. The reason people may see gains in newer cars is because the Knock sensor may be restricting engine speed due to "pinging", when a higher RON is used...the car runs smoothly with un-interupted operation. Using the Lowest possible octane recommended for your car, in most situations should give you the most power. Eg. DC2 = Premium Unleaded (95 or more) so run 95. It also has to be used in high compression engines to avoid pinging which in turn can lead to detonation. Also a higher octane alows for higher compression resulting in more power. Higher octane has many benefits but to those who make use of it. Your not going to gain power by running 98RON in a car recommended for a 91 minimum. Technically you would loose torque.
EDIT: American Fuels are measured differantly in regards to their octane ratings. Thanks for the info, SeverAMV.
I thought I'd add that in, as I dislike when people are exposed to rumours or believe exagerated misinterpretations. Of course some people are just misinformed.
Anyway, (Wrote much more than I planned to) Hope everyone finds this information to be useful. I rarely drive anymore (uni), so im unable to take anymore readings of differant fuels, i am now consistantly using Mobil and are finding results within a small margin of variance to the ones above.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
These are my findings, yours may and most likely will differ due to differant circumstances and testing methods. In the end it is mainly my opinion along side facts.
Regards,
Andrew.
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Originally Posted by spoondc2
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