Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Saw a sign promoting Shells new fuels and got this form thier website:

Melbourne, 10 May 2006: – Shell Australia today announced the launch of its new Fuel Economy Formula across its Shell Unleaded, Unleaded 95 and Shell Premium Unleaded fuels. The new formula is designed to lead to improvements in fuel economy, particularly when used in conjunction with fuel efficient driving practices.

and

Through a combination of vehicle maintenance, fuel efficient driving styles and choosing the right fuel, it is possible to make a real difference to fuel economy.”

Full press release: http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?sit ... press.html

More:

he new Shell Fuel Economy Formula has been designed to single out a range of fuel/engine interactions and help maximise the amount of fuel energy that can be transmitted usefully to the wheels, to drive you forward.

The formula helps to enhance engine efficiency through Friction reduction in the ring pack region of the piston.

I could not find a lot of real data on their site.

Sounds like snake oil and clever marketing to me.

Everyone knows there are a number of ways to improve fuel economy through driving style - looks like Shell is taking credit for it - or is this fuel a big improvement?

"Shell fuel technologist Eric Holthusen said "the Shell fuel economy formula" kept inlet valves clean so that they did not disturb the air flow into the engine.

"In the latest engines, the piston rings that separate the combustion chamber from the bottom of the engine where the oil sump is, have been tightened to prevent oil consumption, which is what the consumer wants," he said.

"In turn that has increased friction on the rings."

He said their formula lubricated the rings "from the top side". Mr Holthusen claims there are no side effects from the formula, no drop in performance and it is compatible with other fuels on the market.

"This formula has been fully tested in the laboratory and the real world and 4 per cent improvement is the best result achieved," he said.

Shell's FuelStretch tips:

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

2. Change up to a higher gear as early as possible as you accelerate.

3. Keep your engine well tuned, check your oil and fix any problems immediately.

4. Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure and not under- or over inflated.

5. Keep your boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items that just add weight.

6. If you're not using your roof rack or roof box take it off.

7. Keep your windows closed, especially if you're driving at higher speeds.

8. Always use the recommended grade of oil in your engine.

9. Use cruise control on major roads and in free flowing traffic.

10. Avoid excessive idling as it burns fuel and gets you nowhere.

7. Keep your windows closed, especially if you're driving at higher speeds.


Mythbusters already busted this 1!

marin

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

Yes... heavy braking increases fuel consumption

What a crock...

HotFourOk wrote:

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

Yes... heavy braking increases fuel consumption

What a crock...

the braking doesnt but iff you brake slowly earlyer at trafic lights by the time the light is green you can be still moving therefore dont need to accelerate from a stop. Drive smoothly...

..... & to think that I've been doing all that for the past 44 years.

If I'd realised it then, I could have patented the idea & made a bloody fortune by now.

Well done SHELL ... smoke screens & mirrors yet again !!

Micks new fuel economy modifications.

Option #1: Stop vehicle regularly and push when on flat ground or going up hills, this way you can idle down hills for maximum fuel economy.

Option #2: This simple and effective modification will save fuel in almost any large car of 4wd. Simply remove current engine eg: 4.2L 6cyl petrol and replace with the specially designed fuel saving device, we call it an S.E.F.S.D. but it's technically known as a "1L suzuki 4cyl"

Just some other great fuel saving ideas from mick.

We can also offer you extra towing capacity with the new product S.E.F.S.D.D+C.O.S. Also known as a donkey with a carrot on a stick. Simply attach the donkey to your from tow point with out exclusive rope and cable tie package, and you instantly increase your towing capacity, while improving economy.

Think economy, think mick....

(stay tuned for more fuel economy tips)

F**k i'm bored

MICK YOUR A LEGEND IM GETTING GREAT ECONOMY NOW!!!

I also found a method of making every vehicle into a "Hybrid"! All you have to do is secretly attach a snatch strap to the vehicle in front while waiting at a red light, This dramaticly improves your fuel consumption while providing priceless entertainment (watching the driver in front go off his/her tits due to their vehicles major loss in performance) whilst on your mystery tour. (would not advise connecting any vehicle behind an Echo or anything equivilant)

HotFourOk wrote:

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

Yes... heavy braking increases fuel consumption

What a crock...

the braking doesn't increase comsumption itself, but every time you brake - decrease speed you are converting the energy of the car into heat, and then you'd have to accelerate to get upto speed again.
- If you backed off longer before the corner and let the car slow on its own accord you'd use less fuel than if you left it right till the last minute to brake as in the last scenario you'd be on the accelerator for longer coming upto the corner.

Patroler wrote:

HotFourOk wrote:

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

Yes... heavy braking increases fuel consumption

What a crock...

the braking doesn't increase comsumption itself, but every time you brake - decrease speed you are converting the energy of the car into heat, and then you'd have to accelerate to get upto speed again.
- If you backed off longer before the corner and let the car slow on its own accord you'd use less fuel than if you left it right till the last minute to brake as in the last scenario you'd be on the accelerator for longer coming upto the corner.

Would you say that a little louder please ... my navigator didn't quite hear what you said - or understand it. Don't be offended, she hasn't understood my version of it either - for the past 36 years!

marin wrote:7. Keep your windows closed, especially if you're driving at higher speeds.


Mythbusters already busted this 1!

marin

ahh thats not a myth
it worked out cheaper cos there was less drag

they busted the myth, that it cost more to use your aircon (dosent actually use more fuel)

Patroler wrote:

HotFourOk wrote:

1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.

Yes... heavy braking increases fuel consumption

What a crock...

the braking doesn't increase comsumption itself, but every time you brake - decrease speed you are converting the energy of the car into heat, and then you'd have to accelerate to get upto speed again.
- If you backed off longer before the corner and let the car slow on its own accord you'd use less fuel than if you left it right till the last minute to brake as in the last scenario you'd be on the accelerator for longer coming upto the corner.

Did I talk about accelerating?? No
Its obvious accelerating uses fuel I think thats how my engine works
No matter how hard your brake, neglecting acceleration, it will not effect fuel economy.. That was my point.

I was getting on the bandwagon about shell marketing these driving techniques as thier own...

converting the energy of the car into heat

True, but this still does not alter the fuel consumption... which is what we are discussing here.