|
S60 & V60 '18> / XC60 '17> / S90 & V90 '16> / XC90 '15> General Forum for the SPA-platform 60- and 90-series models |
Information |
|
V Power or E10 unleadedViews : 1429 Replies : 14Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
Sep 16th, 2021, 22:08 | #1 |
Member
Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 21:55
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Winsford, Cheshire
|
V Power or E10 unleaded
Since buying my T4 engined V60 new last year, I have only ever used Shell V Power. I have only done this in the perhaps naive belief that it will keep the engine’s internals cleaner than standard unleaded, making it last longer.
If I swapped to standard unleaded, I would only use branded fuel. Does anyone have any experience of comparing how a 2020 T4 runs on ordinary unleaded with running on V Power? Will I lose any MPG and will the engine “coke up” quicker if I run the car on a branded unleaded? I mainly drive on A roads and on the Motorway at 60 to 65 mph getting an indicated 43 to 44 MPG and intend to keep this car for many years. Many thanks |
Sep 16th, 2021, 22:14 | #2 | |
Master Member
Last Online: Mar 27th, 2024 19:11
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: -
|
Quote:
Out of interest does it say in your manual that 97 Ron plus is recommended for better performance? I dont think I can tell much difference on mine between 95 Ron and 99 Ron. I would love someone to do the test with the modern volvo engines as to whether the Ron actually makes any meaningful difference.
__________________
Polestar Engineered XC60 (MY20) |
|
Sep 16th, 2021, 23:21 | #3 | |
Master Member
Last Online: Yesterday 18:04
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Portsmouth
|
Quote:
I changed from the 97RON fuel as I felt the engine ran much smoother, and, although marginal, I think the fuel consumtion is better. That is subjective, I don't have any definitive figures to support that viwe.
__________________
2019 V60 Momentum Pro T5 Denim Blue, blond interior, electric deployed towbar. 1957 Morgan Plus 4 |
|
Sep 16th, 2021, 23:33 | #4 | |
Master Member
Last Online: Mar 27th, 2024 19:11
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: -
|
Quote:
I’m feels smoother on the 99 vs a 95 Ron, but like you that’s anecdotal and frankly I can’t tell whether I’m imagining it or not..!
__________________
Polestar Engineered XC60 (MY20) |
|
Sep 17th, 2021, 08:17 | #5 |
Sugga Wannabe
Last Online: Yesterday 12:01
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Reading
|
I seem to remember that some years ago there were some good articles on the ‘actual’ added additive contents and their percentages that fuel retailers provide e.g. Shell, Esso…) The supermarkets are harder to confirm as I believe they can buy direct from the refinery or from one of the main fuel retailers e.g. Shell, or even a mix.
I seem to remember that what comes out of the fuel refinery is generic – plain old BS unleaded petrol or diesel. However, once each fuel retailer receives their generic fuel from the refinery, they then add in their own specific cocktail of additives at their own specific percentages. (Refinery's can also do this on behalf of the retailer at source) So, for the most part “petrol is petrol” but you then have the individual additive cocktails and percentages of each fuel retailer to think about. You are most likely getting a better product – based on the additives and percentages, from one of the main fuel retailers e.g. Esso, BP, Shell, rather than from the supermarket retailers.
__________________
- (MY22 | XC60 B5 P AWD | Inscription | AAOS Google) -------- (MY22 | XC40 B4 P AWD | Inscription | Sensus)
|
Sep 17th, 2021, 08:58 | #6 |
Just Cruising.
Last Online: May 26th, 2023 10:32
Join Date: May 2019
Location: A bit South of West
|
There is no more energy content in higher octane fuel. What the rating indicates is a greater resistance to knock, the early combustion of the fuel-air mixture that causes cylinder pressure to spike.
When higher-octane fuel is used the modern engine controllers can take advantage of the elevated knock threshold and dial in more aggressive timing and higher boost pressures to improve performance. ( that is my simplistic understanding) So the first part of the decision is whether your engine can take advantage of that. Some can and some can't. I am pretty certain, without checking, that according to the manuals, the T4 is recommended to use higher octane fuel to 'get best performance'. I am surprised that the myth of branded fuel still persists. This link outlines the position and explains about additives. https://www.allstarcard.co.uk/news-i...ermarket-fuel/ So in summary you may see marginal improvement in mpg but how much depends as ever on your driving style, you may notice it feels more responsive to the throttle and you should notice that the engine 'feels smoother'. It is nothing significant though. I find I can justify the extra costs on the basis of a marginal improvement in mpg (31 to 33 mpg) and the 'feel'. We use it in both the T5 S60 and the T2 V40 and the dofference is noticeable. Hope that help but basically try and see if it is worth it for you. Finally I am surprised that the myth of branded fuel still persists. https://www.allstarcard.co.uk/news-i...ermarket-fuel/
__________________
--------------------- MY20 S60 Inscription Plus T5. Pebble Grey. |
Sep 17th, 2021, 09:35 | #7 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Today 08:48
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Belgium
|
Compared to gasoline, the energy content of ethanol is lower.
So probably fuel with 5% ethanol has more energy content than fuel with 10%. At least in Belgium, RON95 (E10) contains 10% ethanol, 98RON (E5) has 5% ethanol. This can explain the better fuel consumption of E5 fuel. When I use 98RON, the lower fuel consumption about compensates the higher price.
__________________
2018 XC90 T5 (5 seater) |
Sep 17th, 2021, 14:14 | #8 | |
Premier Member
Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2021 01:53
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: West of Carmarthen
|
Quote:
__________________
XC90 D5, 2017 Inscription. Dark Grey. Xenium pack. Winter Plus with HUD. Black leather interior with alloy trim inserts. Ownership ended June 2020, Happy motoring times! |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Quacker For This Useful Post: |
Sep 18th, 2021, 10:24 | #9 | |
Member
Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 21:55
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Winsford, Cheshire
|
Thank you for all of your comments. With particular reference to:
Quote:
As you can probably guess from my original post, I tend to drive a quite gently now that I am a little older so I am not so concerned about speed or acceleration, as long as the car runs smoothly. Shell, amongst others, make certain claims about how their higher octane fuel also helps keep the engine cleaner and I’m trying to establish whether that means it is better at doing that compared to their regular fuel. I appreciate that other fuels are available and that I probably have some perhaps unfounded hang ups about supermarket fuels. Where I live, it’s basically Shell or Morrisons. Kind regards Peter |
|
Sep 18th, 2021, 10:50 | #10 |
Just Cruising.
Last Online: May 26th, 2023 10:32
Join Date: May 2019
Location: A bit South of West
|
^^^^^^^^;
All the brands additives are broadly similar. Those companies, Shell, Esso etc whose business is oil/gas probably have better overal systems for design, quality control etc with regard to additives. They also likely use greater volumes per gallon and have closer tolerances on their specs. So you coud argue that it is a better product with greater consistency of supply. But----- For example, Shell, BP and Esso all have premium grades and you will find followers of each who report subjectively that their vehicle runs best on---- As to your comment about acceleration etc. Remember this is not a remap of your engine, the claims are about keeping the fuel system in best order and your engine running smoothly. Thus extracting best use of the energy available in the fuel. I realise this is an advert but it is worth a read to understand what Shell says it is supposed to do. https://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/v-p...-unleaded.html p.s. Yes it will keep things cleaner than regular fuel.
__________________
--------------------- MY20 S60 Inscription Plus T5. Pebble Grey. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|