Shell Optimax Extreme 100 Octane!

[Hui]

Anyone tried the new shell 100 octane extreme its great can only get it at certain stations ive only seen it at shell kingsford in nsw, u can check out where they are on the shell website

[Hui]

its got ethanol in it which is NOT a bad thing unless ur car is fairly old. ive been putting it in my 1989 model r32 gtst for a month now n it goes hard

[Mr Italy!]

Again, Nissan told everyone they should not use Extreme in pre 2004 engines.

Am i the only one listening to the warnings?

[Patto-]

Theres already plenty of threads on this fuel.

Again, Nissan told everyone they should not use Extreme in pre 2004 engines.

Am i the only one listening to the warnings?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When? I think you're getting confused with the warning against e10 fuel. I haven't heard anything about e5. Afaik its perfectly fine.

[cepatsikit]

Ethanol good for RB25DET? is it better than bp ultimate, getting confused now

[LBR33]

Ethanol is ethanol it will cause damage no matter how much is in the fuel

[Patto-]

Ethanol is ethanol it will cause damage no matter how much is in the fuel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No it won't. Like I said this has already been argued to death in many other threads.

[cepatsikit]

if u can go faster with ethnol, go for it...no harm

[Mr Italy!]

if u can go faster with ethnol, go for it...no harm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Obviously you havent read anything about what ethanol will do to your fuel lines and such.

Just because a fuel will make you go faster doesnt mean it MUST be ok to use.

[Patto-]

Heres some info from some other threads on this fuel.

The following quote is from the Biofuels Taskforce. This taskforce is made up of the following people:

* Dr Conall O'Connell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Environment and Heritage

* Dr David Brockway, Chief, Division of Energy Technology, CSIRO

* Dr John Keniry, Chairman Ridley Corporation Limited, and

* Mr Max Gillard, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Technical Centre, Asia Pacific Australia.

Almost all post-1986 vehicles can operate satisfactorily on E10. As was known when setting the fuel standard in 2003, E10 is not optimal for vehicles that have carburettors or mechanical fuel injectors, mainly pre-1986 vehicles.

The Taskforce considers that there is no reason to reduce the maximum ethanol limit in petrol from 10% to 5%.

Responsibility for consumer information about the fitness of fuel for its intended purpose rests mainly with fuel retailers and suppliers. In the light of that, the current fuel ethanol information standard could be simplified, primarily to require notification that the fuel contains ethanol at up to 10%.

Given that an even higher percentage of cars can use E5 than E10, the information standard for fuel ethanol could be further modified so that labelling is required only above 5% ethanol in petrol, rather than 1% as at present. As in Europe, this would give fuel companies flexibility to use up to 5% ethanol as a fuel extender or octane enhancer, without the costs of dispensing E5 as a separate blend.

Consumer confidence was damaged significantly in 2002–2003 after reports of the distribution of high concentration (20–30%) ethanol blends around Sydney, and widely publicised allegations of vehicle damage. At the time, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and other consumer advocates became concerned about the potential operability and additional motoring costs associated with ethanol-blended fuels.

Being a Chemical Engineer by background and working for the world's most profitable car company as an Environmental Engineer, let me say that we believe the 5% Ethanol will not have a detrimental effect to any of our engines (neither will 10% Ethanol).  Only the real old stuff (pre 86 or so) is just not designed to use that fuel.

Most of the argument on Ethanol in fuel in this country revolves around politics and little else ;-)

As stated previously - nobody is going to endorse it for older cars as they were tuned to cope with the 'dieselesque' like sludge that is called petrol in this country ;-) 

Consequently unless the manufacturer gets to 'tune' the engine and test it thoroughly they will not officially endorse it (and they will not invest the testing time to do that ;-) 

Therefore the easiest option to protect themselves from possible warranty claims along the line of "You told us it'd be okay" is to distance themselves from the argument - after all we've already made the sale so who cares.

Obviously since Ethanol has been on the agenda for a couple of years, all current and future models will run just fine and are tested - as we want to make sure that we can comply with future ADR developments.

Similarly the Oil Companies have no interest in blowing up everyones engine - so they have a vested interest to not blow their reputation.  That by and in itself should be sufficient to make sure it is safe.

In short - no hesitation to use the stuff - but if you want the benefit you need to tune the engine and use it consistently.

Just remember  "Caveat Emdor" - Buyer Beware  ;-)

BTW in Brazil they run 20-25% ethanol (and used to run much more ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited January 9, 2006 by shyster

[Mr Italy!]

But then we have these quotes directly from Shell, the distributor of such fuels:

What happens if I have “mis-filled” my car with Shell Optimax Extreme?

Shell advises that if Shell Optimax Extreme is used once when the vehicle manufacturer has not recommended an E5 or E10 fuel, then customers should fill up with a suitable non-ethanol fuel the next time.

There are a few manufacturers who do not recommend E5 or E10 fuel especially for older vehicles.  This is because long-term use of these fuels in these vehicles could result in rubber shrinkage of some components of the fuel system.

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=au-en&FC2=/au-en/html/iwgen/shell_for_motorists/fuels/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/au-en/tailored/shell_for_motorists/fuels/extreme/extreme_technical_questions.html

And if we take a look at the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries website we can see:

VEHICLE MODEL SUITABILITY FOR E10 USE

Suitable only for: Nissan All models post 2004

http://www.fcai.com.au/ethanol.php/2005/11/00000005.html

They do not recommend the use of E10 fuel. E5 fuel still contains ethanol. I'm no expert but i'm assuming rubber shrinkage can occur from any amount of ethanol. Not to mention other issues with ethanol which are mentioned on the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries website.

Edited January 9, 2006 by Mr Italy!

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Take a look at your fuel lines. Nissan uses top-notch EFI hose. The chances of E5 fuels causing problems are probably minimal at best. I'm sure Shell wouldn't have released a product like this on the market if there were going to be mass complications from its use.

/edit: I recently had my fuel lines tested by a hose expert for durability with Extreme and no problems arose. He told me go for it

[LBR33]

If you guys dont care about your cars and ignore nissans warnings then use optimax extreme but you will pay the price in the years to come

[Patto-]

If you guys dont care about your cars and ignore nissans warnings then use optimax extreme but you will pay the price in the years to come

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As I said Nissan has not discouraged the use of e5. From what I've researched there are almost no detrimental effects of e5, and it is extremely rare to hear of damage from e10. Many manufacturers discourage the use of e10 just to be safe, and the vast majority advise that e5 is perfectly safe. I'm sure Nissan's policy will be the same.

[Marsss]

used it once.... meh!

no big deal IMO

[scathing]

As I said Nissan has not discouraged the use of e5. From what I've researched there are almost no detrimental effects of e5, and it is extremely rare to hear of damage from e10. Many manufacturers discourage the use of e10 just to be safe, and the vast majority advise that e5 is perfectly safe. I'm sure Nissan's policy will be the same.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Really? I'd say it speaks volumes about the breadth and depth of your "research".

I realise this could apply only to Australian delivered models since Nissan Australia couldn't give a rat's ass about grey imports, and its not like Skylines have warranties to risk by using it.

But, you take your chances. Shell Australia (who would otherwise profit from people who apparently drive sports cars buying their marked up, top-of-the-line fuel) are telling all pre-2004 Nissan owners not to use it.

I've run a tank of Optimax Extreme through my Australian delivered, pre-2004 built Nissan. But I'll err on the safe side and not do it on a regular basis.

Edited January 9, 2006 by scathing

[TokyoTaxi]

Used it for a month but have gone back to Optimax 98. Just can't see enough bang for the bucks to justify it.

[Patto-]

Really? I'd say it speaks volumes about the breadth and depth of your "research".

My "research" was in regards to the detrimental effects of e5. Of which I could not find any engines which were proven to be damaged by it. Your link only provides Nissans warning against e10 fuel, that we are all already aware of.

As I said afaik Nissan still has no policy in regards to e5 fuel. Also this has been debated at gret length in many other threads. R31Nismoid even went to the trouble of contacting Nissan, and found that a policy is still being formulated based on product testing.

I've just been talking to Nissan Aust over the phone.

There has been no press release on E5 at this stage and Nissan's stance is unknown at this point until testing completes.

The Engineers are still doing product testing and the results/information release will be avaliable in approx 3-4 weeks.

At this stage they cant give a firm statement

This is direct from Nissan Australia's Customer Relations Department on the use of E5 in pre-2004 vehicles.

Being the E5 is such a new product, in relation to the Shell product (as they have had a number of calls).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just to avoid going over old arguments, heres a few links to some other threads about this fuel:

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...opic=96631&st=0

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...showtopic=95349

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...showtopic=95231

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...showtopic=95126

Theres more threads out there, these are just the ones that I could find easily searching. I think just about everything to be said about this fuel has already been said.

Edited January 9, 2006 by shyster

[race_snooze]

your about a month to late about posting this, and there are some many threads already open. Good luck with using it hope it wont eat your fuel lines out, or your injector rubbers.

[scathing]

My "research" was in regards to the detrimental effects of e5. Of which I could not find any engines which were proven to be damaged by it. Your link only provides Nissans warning against e10 fuel, that we are all already aware of.

As I said afaik Nissan still has no policy in regards to e5 fuel.

It appears your reading writing skills are about as good as your reading skills. I hope no-one ever takes your word for any life-or-death actions, because they're probably going to come out of it in a bodybag.

The first line of your original comment, which I quoted in my response to refresh your memory, said (and let me quote it again since you're too daft to remember your own words), "Nissan has not discouraged the use of e5."

Now, I linked to the Nissan Australia FAQ, where they say they do not recommend running ethanol-blended fuels.

Now, AFAIK very little by way of facts penetrates your brain. The difference is, I can provide proof.

There's no mention of what percentage of ethanol blended fuels they do not recommend, but they do mention a percentage in the first paragraph of the ethanol FAQ. And its quite reasonable to assume that this percentage is carried on throughout the rest of the response.

It says:

Nissan vehicles manufactured from 1 January 2004 onwards are capable of operation on ethanol blends up to E10 (10% ethanol)

Now, if you live in shyster-land, "up to 10% ethanol" apparently doesn't include 5%. Unfortunately for him, in the land of people that passed 1st grade math before they got a license, it does.

You're the kind of guy that goes to an "up to 70% off sale" and then chucks a fit at the counter when the pink shirt you want to buy is only 40% off because you're apparently getting "ripped off".

Anyway, on a lighter note, its nice to see that your nick suits you so well.