View Full Version : Fuel - Optimax
Scoobster
05-10-2001, 13:52
I need some help.
My car says on it (inside fuel filler flap) to use only 95RON ul petrol. This is fine and what I use, however loads of you are saying about super ul and optimax which is either 97 or 98RON. Is it only suggested to use that fuel if you have your car chipped? or is it good for standard Cupra's too?
What sort of benefits do you see if any? wil it damage my car? can you switch between 95 and 97RON or once changed over do you have to stick with it?
I appreciate your assistance..
Cheers fella's..
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Laterz..
Scoobz...
Scoobz,
Inside filler cap should say 95/98 RON on standard UK Cupra. This means using SUL (97 RON) is OK and tends to give better performance and economy. I use SUL mostly but don't believe it does any harm to switch back to UL, just stay clear of supermarket stuff. Impreza owners suggest disconnecting the car battery if changing from UL to SUL as this resets the ECU settings, and when powered back up it maps properly to the SUL. I wouldn't try this with the beezer as I think the ECU is a bit touchy and might not start again! Just stick in some SUL and see if you think it's worth the extra pennies. May need a few tankfulls to feel a real difference.
Ed
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use optimax in any unleaded car!.
shell say if a car with optimax and a car with unleaded 95 in, go to overtake at 55mph on the motorway, the car with optimax in will be 2-3 car lenths in front of the car with unleaded 95 after the overtaking.
If you use it, you can believe it to! and as for it doing any damage, if anything its better for your car.
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Scoobster
08-10-2001, 13:06
Cheers fella's..
I have a quarter of a tank of BP RON95 left in it so I will run that as far as I can to the bottom (how far can you go after the alarm goes until it is empty?), and then find a shell garage.
I always tend to use BP stuff as a huge BP chemical works is just across the street from my workplace, but there is a Shell garage near my home so will have to fill up before coming to work in the future.
I will give it a whirl and see how it goes n let you know if I reckon it 'feels' any different.
Again..Thanks..
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Laterz..
Scoobz...
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scoobster:
(how far can you go after the alarm goes until it is empty?)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Depends how you're driving the car. Normal driving at a steady pace with bit of town work I've had 35 miles from the light coming on. I filled it up to the brim and got 43.5 litres which in a 45 litre tank is a bit close! http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/eek.gif
Cheers
Andy
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djawol@seatcupra.net
...computer games don't affect kids, I mean if Pac Man affected us as
kids, we'd all run around in a darkened room munching pills and listening
to repetitive music...
Does anyone else sh*t themselves when that fuel warning buzzer goes off? http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/biggrin.gif
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Kewe - every single time it goes off!!!
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/eek.gif
Is a big orange light on the dash not enough of a warning!!??
PS What exactly is optimax then ? http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/confused.gif
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I don't think that disconnecting, then reconnecting car battery would cause any problems. Did it several times on my 2.0 16v. Luckily no Windows running in these cars http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/wink.gif.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kewe:
Does anyone else sh*t themselves when that fuel warning buzzer goes off? http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/biggrin.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
ROFLMAO , yep nearly every day http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/biggrin.gif
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DAZ the AMETHYST parts manager
( flapper@seatcupra.net )OR (amethyst@seatcupra.net)
(refreshing the PARTS most other dealers cannot reach)
just been to shell site reading about optimax - all very interesting but unfortunately no availability in Scotland yet and probably not for a while by the sounds of it.
so even if I wanted to try it I'd have to drive a bit too far!
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/frown.gif
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Sent an e-mail inquiring when we'd get it in scotland a while back and this is the reply i got.
Mark
Mark, many thanks for your enquiry about the availability of Optimax in the
North East of Scotland.
> You may be aware that Shell Optimax is unique to Shell and is manufactured
> exclusively at our Stanlow refinery (Ellesmere Port - Cheshire).
> Unfortunately some parts of the UK will not initially be supplied due to
> the complex logistics and cost of shipping the fuel to these regions.
> We are however, very pleased to confirm that we will be shortly extending
> the distribution of Shell Optimax to those parts of the UK not included in
> the initial launch.
> We anticipate that Shell Optimax will be available throughout Scotland
> during Quarter 1 2002 and this launch will be covered by extensive media
> advertising in your area. If you have any further queries please do not
> hesitate to contact our customer services freephone 0800 731 8888.
>
Regards
Jordan Mcloughlin
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Scoobster
10-10-2001, 13:18
With regard to the sh*tting ya sen when the alarm goes off..!! TOO soddin right..
Man the first time it went off I nearly tried to get out the window.. sod the car and the traffic!!
Thought I would get use to it, but Nah.. every time.. even when I know that I am running near it, you can just never quite tell and be prepared.
I need louder speakers (better quality with more bass) in my car and I will be able to drown the alarm out, how on earth can you possibly get six speakers in a car and the noise still sound so tinny and as if the speakers are going to fall out of the doors.. lol
Oh well, you can't have everything..!! but something would be nice, need the louder speakers to drown out the howling of my brakes too, that I still haven't had chance to go into the dealer's and stamp my feet and spit my dummy out about..!! http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/biggrin.gif
Well, I am nearly empty for fuel so by the weekend there shall be Shell Optimax in it, and lets see how it runs.
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__________
Laterz..
Scoobz...
Hummm .... nearly soiled the seat of my Jockey's this morning with the sound of that fuel warning thing! I've been using Optimax for a month or so now and can say it's the best fuel I've used to date. On a run to Portsmouth that I do every few weeks I now get 38mpg driving quickly (average speed around 60mph), BO (before Optimax) I would get around 32mpg on SuperUL. Car also seems more responsive and combined with a forge DV is very smooth but rapid up the rev range. Optimax is 79.9p/Ltr by me, so it's only a few quid more expensive on a full tank fill up. Go out and get some today ......nuff said.
Cheers .... Simon.
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My Cupra has just done 5000 miles and I have run 4 tanks of Optimax through it. The difference between this and 95ron is huge, my car is like a rocket now. I will never use any other fuel ! http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/biggrin.gif
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Someone told me about a similar fuel that Shell apparently release a couple of years ago... it was said to improve performance and clean the engine (Sound familiar?), anyway, it was taken off sale when they found that it actually damaged the engine!!!
I don't know the details, but sound familiar. Perhaps this is the same stuff but with the problems fixed?
Ben
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Grey Fox
11-10-2001, 21:55
Does anybody know where I can get Optimax local to Cheltenham?
Scott
lansdown road or princess elizabeth way
if it helps , HEY andy/bill sounds like a new boy in town http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/tongue.gif
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DAZ the AMETHYST parts manager
(flapper@seatcupra.net)
contact us at:
amethyst@seatcupra.net
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flapper:
lansdown road or princess elizabeth way
if it helps , HEY andy/bill sounds like a new boy in town http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/tongue.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good man!
Yep, take a left out of Amethyst, follow the road to the traffic lights and go straight on into the Shell garage. 79.9 when I filled up on Wednesday night.
Cheers
Andy
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djawol@seatcupra.net
...computer games don't affect kids, I mean if Pac Man affected us as
kids, we'd all run around in a darkened room munching pills and listening
to repetitive music...
Scoobster
12-10-2001, 10:03
I put in my first tank of Optimax this morning.. We shall now see if it makes any difference.
Not exactly sure if it has made any difference to the running already as I was stuck in traffic most of the morning drive to work, seemed to run nice though... smooth.
I am concerned about my DV though, my car use to be really snappy and punchy when I banged my foot down and it is taking way to long to spool up now, it is like it thinks about it and then decides to cruise up the power band as oppose to 'Bosh' in your face.. *gone* style. I am taking my car into my dealership on 26th to have the seat fixed again (rocking drivers seat) and squeeks n rattles sorted. Will ask them to have a look at the DV then, is there a way they can tell if it is knackered?
Putting EBC's on order today too.. no more 'howling' brakes I hope soon, once they arrive. lol
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__________
Laterz..
Scoobz...
Petrolhead Paul
12-10-2001, 12:18
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scoobster:
I am concerned about my DV though, my car use to be really snappy and punchy when I banged my foot down and it is taking way to long to spool up now, it is like it thinks about it and then decides to cruise up the power band as oppose to 'Bosh' in your face.. *gone* style. I am taking my car into my dealership on 26th to have the seat fixed again (rocking drivers seat) and squeeks n rattles sorted. Will ask them to have a look at the DV then, is there a way they can tell if it is knackered?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Scoobster have you still got the standard plastic DV on there or is this the Forge one?
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Scoobster, I assume you still have the standard plastic VAG dump valve from what you are saying. Get the Forge Motorsport DV fitted asap at either RSD or Amethyst. RSD did mine a few months ago and it has made a BIG difference. Cost around £90 fitted, took 10 minutes! It's nice and alloy and shines bright so that you can point at it when you show it to yer friends.
Simon.
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Grey Fox
12-10-2001, 13:09
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flapper:
lansdown road or princess elizabeth way
if it helps , HEY andy/bill sounds like a new boy in town http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/tongue.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
COOL http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
Thanks Daz,
Scott
Grey Fox
12-10-2001, 13:11
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by djawol:
Good man!
Yep, take a left out of Amethyst, follow the road to the traffic lights and go straight on into the Shell garage. 79.9 when I filled up on Wednesday night.
Cheers
Andy
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Andy,
I'm gonna give it a go this weekend.
Cheers,
Scott