Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: SP_3.2 on 03 December 2007, 12:47:13
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With the price of petrol up by the day i gave shell 95 ron a try to see if it would make much diff and the fact that it,s about 8p less. The car has always ran on V-power 98% of the time. Now i put £10 In last night and on the way into work the car seem not a resposive and just slower that before. Not much be when you drive 60 miles a day you can tell the diff. Has anyone else had this prob.
The car is a 3.2 v6 with a remap.
I,m off soon to get some V-Power and see if it helps.
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It will perform slightly lower on 95 than 98, as it wont advance as much.
Persoanlly, I've found my 3.0l performs better on BP Ultimate than V-Power, which is a shame as I have a Shell credit card, and currently get 6% off....
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There is definitely a difference between the fuels, both petrol and diesel. When I was working as a courier I used a lot of fuel, mainly diesel, if I filled up at the local Safeway supermarket I got 80 miles less per tankfull than if I filled up at an Esso or Shell. With unleaded I get about 45 / 50 miles less per tank when using normal unleaded than using super unleaded, the difference in cost outweighs the lower miles so I reckon there is no real difference in cost.
I wonder if anyone agrees that the fuel you buy in France or Spain is better than what we get in the UK, I think it is, it even smells different, any views ?
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There is definitely a difference between the fuels, both petrol and diesel. When I was working as a courier I used a lot of fuel, mainly diesel, if I filled up at the local Safeway supermarket I got 80 miles less per tankfull than if I filled up at an Esso or Shell. With unleaded I get about 45 / 50 miles less per tank when using normal unleaded than using super unleaded, the difference in cost outweighs the lower miles so I reckon there is no real difference in cost.
I wonder if anyone agrees that the fuel you buy in France or Spain is better than what we get in the UK, I think it is, it even smells different, any views ?
Well, it always seems that fuel is better in other countrys than in your`s ::) My experiance have proved it many times lol
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In most other countries v power is 100ron compaired to ours which is now 99. I could tell a difference in performance in my old mv6 on optimax as it was at the time and that was 98 ron I think. I have had my cosworth tested on a rolling road with tescos 95 and v power HUGE difference :
95 ron - 374bhp
v power - 406bhp
Don't know if it makes a difference on economy it drinks it too fast to tell however my wifes merc 220 diesel does an extra 50 - 60 miles per tank on v power diesel and seems more responsive trouble is its now £1.11 a litre so chip fat from now on I think.
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Turbocharged cars will see a much more significant difference than NA. Anything but the most lightly blown engine should be on super unleaded all the time, IMHO, especially so if it's got no knock control. Mate of mine mullered his Cosworth engine pretty badly by taking on cr@p fuel whilst driving across the US. Car's so loud he didn't hear it complaining.:(
Noticed at the local Chinese cash and carry yesterday that they have 20l drums of rapeseed cooking oil for 15 quid. Sounds a better deal than diesel these days...
Kevin
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Crap fuel is destroyer of most tuned engines with out a doubt cossies especially as they don't have knock sensors, fortunately I have a fully programmable water injection system on mine which I can adjust to suite if I'm stuck and can only get low grade fuel. I also lower the boost just to be on the safe side.
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My mate reckons you can get 20lt of veg oil from tescos for £10
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My mate reckons you can get 20lt of veg oil from tescos for £10
OK so how can I run my TD on Tesco's finest?
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I don't know exactly but my mate runs his transit and an old diesel corsa on it, I think he mixes it with a bit of parrafin to make it burn stronger.
I'm not sure how a modern diesel would react to it otherwise I would have it in the wifes. if anyone has tried it let us know if it works.
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I've heard you can use veg oil, but I'd read this first before you try ;D
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=132112&highlight=vegetable
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I've seen that article before - is it a wind up? ;D
I don't see a difference between any petrols performance wise - although I like BP ultimate, apart from the price.
Saying that, LPG is about 100+ octane, so when set up well, results are v impressive...
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I am not at all convinced super makes any difference in the Omega. However it may take the ECU a while to adjust to the regular fuel and I suppose you may notice this. I would run it on regular Shell for a couple of tankfulls and see what you think. (just noticed you have a remap - I suppose that could make a difference.)
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With unleaded I get about 45 / 50 miles less per tank when using normal unleaded than using super unleaded, the difference in cost outweighs the lower miles so I reckon there is no real difference in cost.
quote]
Might seem a silly question to some but why would you get more mpg with higher octane fuel? I thought it'd be the other way round if anything. Isn't a set amount of fuel squirted at a given time...how does the engine know it's higher octane?
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what did you have it mapped on? if it was on 98 then i wouldnt run it on 95.
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With unleaded I get about 45 / 50 miles less per tank when using normal unleaded than using super unleaded, the difference in cost outweighs the lower miles so I reckon there is no real difference in cost.
quote]
Might seem a silly question to some but why would you get more mpg with higher octane fuel? I thought it'd be the other way round if anything. Isn't a set amount of fuel squirted at a given time...how does the engine know it's higher octane?
High octane fuel burns better so less of it is needed.
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With higher octane fuel it burns better in the chamber giving a stronger explosion and therefore needs less fuel to give the same performance, the lambda sensor in the exhaust will tell it what fuel air mixture is going in through the gas coming out and adjust the amount of fuel to suit.
When driving with a heavy foot the consumption will not change or may even drop so it only really works when cruising on motorways etc.
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To go back to original question if your car was remapped while running on v power I would stick to super plus fuel as the fuel map set points will have been changed in the ecu.
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Cheers for the clear explanation. I do loads of miles so I'll give it a try.
You learn something new every day. :y
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Neil.... I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds .. ie motorway stuff .. on "cheap" unleaded (sainsburys's ?) I'll get around 16-18 mpg .. on Shell V its 20-24 mpg. Once off motorway where you are always changing the power the difference is negligible but the car seems to perform better.
HTH
:)
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Well I hope I see similar benefits. At a steady 70mph I can achieve 37-38mpg, around town it drops to 23ish.
I'll report back in a week or so and let everyone know.
I can't believe I didn't know this! :o
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I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds ..
This is precisely where you will notice a difference. Long periods of heavy load are the most likely to generate knock because valves, pistons, plugs, etc. are at their hottest. Running poor fuel makes it more likely that the fuel will pre-ignite under such conditions. This will be detected by the knock sensors and the ignition retarded to a less efficient, but safer, setting, hence fuel economy is better with a fuel that won't knock in the first place.
Pootling around town you never get sustained heavy loads for long enough and are on very low engine loads for most of the time, where knock is very unlikely with any fuel.
Due to the additives in super unleaded (some brands contain a lot of ethanol) there is less energy per litre in some super unleaded than regular, which may explain the worse fuel consumption.
Kevin
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I drive 60 miles a day most M ways and as you say i find that is when i have the most from the V-power. the cost is £1.08 and if i put in £15 i get about 110 miles which i think is good on it Not sure how that works out in MPG ?.
I have since the weekend gone back to V-power and althouth it cost more the car seems a lot better on it, with better pick up and MPG on the long runs. :y
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SP, you mentioned you've had a re-map.
What exactly does this do and what are the benefits?
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Hi well it was done about 18 months ago and it took the BHP from 231 to 245 on a rolling road and when remaped to 97+ ron has helped the MPG as you know the 3.2 v6 love to drink. This is best to the long runs but every bit helps. Cost me £250 and had a print out of the BHP befor and after. It was do by a company called chipped uk.
Hope that is of help.
P.s Your car looks v. good. :y
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Neil.... I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds .. ie motorway stuff .. on "cheap" unleaded (sainsburys's ?) I'll get around 16-18 mpg .. on Shell V its 20-24 mpg. Once off motorway where you are always changing the power the difference is negligible but the car seems to perform better.
HTH
:)
Does the same apply for Diesel from the likes of Sainsbury's??
IW
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Cheers mate, I'll look into that. I'm going to be doing some silly miles and after reading this thread in particular, will be using the higher octane fuel (if the economy does improve).
My car's in great condition externally and the engine si smothh as silk, even with 150k, however it's starting to show it's mileage in some areas such as suspension bushes, shocks etc Luckily my new job pays a decent car allowance which will pay for all the little things that need doing.
What colour's yours?
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Mine is Blue with the tan leather and has 130 on the clock. If i can be of any more help just PM me :y
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My mate reckons you can get 20lt of veg oil from tescos for £10
OK so how can I run my TD on Tesco's finest?
seem to recall the beemer injection pump isn't a fan....
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Neil.... I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds .. ie motorway stuff .. on "cheap" unleaded (sainsburys's ?) I'll get around 16-18 mpg .. on Shell V its 20-24 mpg. Once off motorway where you are always changing the power the difference is negligible but the car seems to perform better.
HTH
:)
Does the same apply for Diesel from the likes of Sainsbury's??
IW
yes. see how much less diesel smoke (ultimately unburnt diesel) you get after a couple of tanks of bp diesel...
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Neil.... I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds .. ie motorway stuff .. on "cheap" unleaded (sainsburys's ?) I'll get around 16-18 mpg .. on Shell V its 20-24 mpg. Once off motorway where you are always changing the power the difference is negligible but the car seems to perform better.
HTH
:)
Does the same apply for Diesel from the likes of Sainsbury's??
IW
yes. see how much less diesel smoke (ultimately unburnt diesel) you get after a couple of tanks of bp diesel...
I thought that some time ago someone stated on here that Sainbury's fuel is suplied by BP
If that is the case, are they producing different grades for their own forecourts?
IW
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Neil.... I notice a substantial difference when towing long distances at steady speeds .. ie motorway stuff .. on "cheap" unleaded (sainsburys's ?) I'll get around 16-18 mpg .. on Shell V its 20-24 mpg. Once off motorway where you are always changing the power the difference is negligible but the car seems to perform better.
HTH
:)
Does the same apply for Diesel from the likes of Sainsbury's??
IW
yes. see how much less diesel smoke (ultimately unburnt diesel) you get after a couple of tanks of bp diesel...
I thought that some time ago someone stated on here that Sainbury's fuel is suplied by BP
If that is the case, are they producing different grades for their own forecourts?
IW
As I understand things all fuel comes from the same refining process and places be it for Tesco or Shell. Difference is that a preset additive is put into the fuel load as the tanker is filled before it does the deed at the garage forecourt.
Tesco is 'plain vanilla' whilst the Shell/BP gets the added mint chocolate chips, so to speak.... :D
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So would my 2.5 run better on super unleaded ? i just put in esso 95 mostly used around town only showin 18mpg :( i dont mind it costing extra if returns a little more.
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In most other countries v power is 100ron compaired to ours which is now 99. I could tell a difference in performance in my old mv6 on optimax as it was at the time and that was 98 ron I think. I have had my cosworth tested on a rolling road with tescos 95 and v power HUGE difference :
95 ron - 374bhp
v power - 406bhp
Don't know if it makes a difference on economy it drinks it too fast to tell however my wifes merc 220 diesel does an extra 50 - 60 miles per tank on v power diesel and seems more responsive trouble is its now £1.11 a litre so chip fat from now on I think.
I am absolutely convinced that supermarket fuel in the UK is inferior to main brands like Shell and Esso and BP. I did 63000 miles in 8 months as a courier and kept a very keen eye on fuel costs and mpg, Esso did it best for me, Safeway supermarket the worst.
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98 or 95 ron ?
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I've heard you can use veg oil, but I'd read this first before you try ;D
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=132112&highlight=vegetable
Ooooooooooooops!
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I've heard you can use veg oil, but I'd read this first before you try ;D
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=132112&highlight=vegetable
Ooooooooooooops!
Or should that be 'before you Fry'? ;D
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What sort of a daftie can't tell the difference between petrol and diesel engines.
Should not be driving!
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I find that my car works best on Texaco High Octane for some reason, although BT Ultimate and V-Power seem to be OK as well.
If you can also mix half-and-half, will save you some money and the performance difference will be less noticeable.
But the main reason I use the high-octane fuels is because they have additives which keep the fuel system clean. That, and the Redex I use with every tankful...