Unless your engine is optimised for it, or the ecu can adapt itself to it, you are wasting your money by using anything other than 95 octane fuel. There has been a suggestion that Shell's V Power high octane fuel has less ethanol content than their 95 and may be worth using for that reason alone. However, in an answer to an enquiry, a Shell spokesperson has stated that the two products contain a similar amount of ethanol.
I use Super or V power, Similar is not the same. Certainly it made a different on my 14 MS, a lot less lumpy bottom end with 97 up
New bikes/cars are already capable of dealing with the ethanol content, unlike my '76 bike (leaking seals etc). The RON rating is related the ability to avoid pre-ignition, so as said above, if the manual says 95, you are wasting money on the higher stuff. My car manual calls for 98, so I use 97 as its all I can get locally, but have used 95 and TBH, I can't sense the retardation in action?
Nothing is really capable of dealing with Ethanol over the long term, except stainless, especially if it is allowed to sit in a tank and fuel system for ages on end. Higher octane fuel is not all about performance, it is far cleaner than 95 fuel, it runs better in all modern engines, I even use it in my ride on lawn mover, the extra cost for me is well worth the all round benefits it gives.
The ethanol content is apparently in line with EU requirements and is the same for both fuels. If your engine runs better with the more expensive fuel, that's great but as I understand it, there's no scientific reason why it should unless your ecu can adapt to it or you have an engine that requires it.
BP Ethanol is added at 5% to unleaded petrol at all sites across the UK. BP Ultimate (super unleaded petrol) does not have Ethanol added, except in the South West of England. Esso Ethanol is added at 5% to unleaded petrol at most sites in the UK. Esso Super Unleaded petrol does not contain Ethanol, except in the South West of England (Devon & Cornwall) Shell Shell has repeatedly refused to answer the question. It is therefore an assumption only, that all Shell petrol should be considered to contain 5% Ethanol. Texaco Ethanol is added at 5% to unleaded petrol. Texaco Super Unleaded petrol does not contain Ethanol. Total Ethanol is not added to any Total fuel (including standard unleaded petrol). Except in the North West and South East of England. Total have kindly provided a list of filling stations where E0 petrol can still be purchased. Click this link to download the list TOTAL E0 Fuel Sites.xls As far as I can gather, the only reason that the super unleaded fuels seem to be ethanol free is because it is harder to obtain the fuel quality required for super unleaded if Ethanol is present. However several of the oil companies told me that this will change in the future but that no date has been set. a 2015 post
I have used E10 in France before in the Duke without issue, although I was a little concerned at first, thinking the bike would start leaking like an SR-71 spy plane at rest? Under EU plans, E10 will eventually be phased in all across Europe? Apparently, octane rating can be 'increased' by adding more Ethanol, but this results in a lower calorific value/volume, so less power/mpg, which will be a bit counter intuitive when filling up with 100 RON E25 mix in the future?
[QUOTE="MaDProFF, post: 593624, Click to expand... "Dear Mr Clifford, Thank you for your email. Please accept my personal apology for the delay of this response as we are currently receiving high volume of enquiries via email. I can confirm that Shell V-Power unleaded contains up to 5% ethanol as stipulated by the European fuel specification EN228 and UK government legislation. In addition Shell FuelSave Regular Unleaded and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Unleaded also contain up to 5% ethanol. This is in order to respond to the European Union and UK government’s initiative to promote biofuels, whose aim is to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance energy supply security. For the latest information on biofuel legislation in the UK, please consult the Department for Transport’s website Department for Transport - GOV.UK. At Shell, we are passionate about fuel, and our dedicated fuel scientists work continuously in the lab to bring you the most advanced and effective fuels. Once again, thank you for contacting Shell UK. We do hope you have found this information useful. If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to email us back. Regards, Karen Shell UK Oil Products Ltd"added at 5% to unleaded petrol at all sites across the UK. BP Ultimate (super unleaded petrol) does not have Ethanol added, except in the South West of England. Esso Ethanol is added at 5% to unleaded petrol at most sites in the UK. Esso Super Unleaded petrol does not contain Ethanol, except in the South West of England (Devon & Cornwall) Shell Shell has repeatedly refused to answer the question. It is therefore an assumption only, that all Shell petrol should be considered to contain 5% Ethanol. Texaco Ethanol is added at 5% to unleaded petrol. Texaco Super Unleaded petrol does not contain Ethanol. Total Ethanol is not added to any Total fuel (including standard unleaded petrol). Except in the North West and South East of England. Total have kindly provided a list of filling stations where E0 petrol can still be purchased. Click this link to download the list TOTAL E0 Fuel Sites.xls As far as I can gather, the only reason that the super unleaded fuels seem to be ethanol free is because it is harder to obtain the fuel quality required for super unleaded if Ethanol is present. However several of the oil companies told me that this will change in the future but that no date has been set. a 2015 post[/QUOTE]
Probably over thinking it. You'll be on your umpteenth generation of bike before any impact of pump fuel added would make any difference, if any.
I assume old rider you understand what the word UPTO means, though got to say a little disappointed in shells response. And I have read a few reports where ethanol has caused problems on aluminium tanks etc. and other problems.
I use Shell V power , in Canada the V power [ premium ] has no ethanol as stated on their Canadian website Shell V-Power NiTRO+ premium gasoline in Canada does not contain ethanol. , used it since I bought the bike and have no expanded tank problems, Caswell coating will stop expanded tank issues and if I could not get ethanol free gas would be the first thing I would do.
Not exactly a definitive answer is it. The only comfort is that there is no more than 5% in either. Unfortunately I am in Devon as well...
it's 3£ more for 20 liters. I don't see why use the normal fuel. I usually go with both shell or esso.
i don't understand how Total can sell fuel with no Ethanol if its an EU and UK Goverment directive ? However its all very interesting, I will check out Total fuels for my next tank
It's all rather confusing. Shells response refers to the specification of up to 5% and an initiative promoting biofuels. So maybe the two conflict and that is why they are reluctant to give a specific answer. Damned if they do and damned if they don't.
