When I filled up this morning, I noticed a 10c/L difference between ULP and Optimax at the Shell servo. Differential was 6c/L at the nearby Mobil for PULP and ULP. I haven't taken much notice of fuel specs before, so I downloaded the TDS' from the Shell website. Optimax is 98.4 RON, PULP is 96.2 and ULP is 92. Optimax also has a different distillation profile to their PULP, and contains less benzene (which is nice).

I also checked out their Unleaded Research racing gasoline CAMSA3, and found it had identical specs. to Optimax.

I noticed recently that "normal" ULP in Switzerland is 95 RON, close to our PULP and something to be taken into account when comparing European fuel prices to ours. I checked the specs. on the Swiss Shell website. Over there, Shell has a "Superplus" at 98 RON, and a new "V-Power 100" at 100 RON. What they call "unleaded" ("Bleifrei") actually has 5mg/L lead (5 parts per million), and that is according to EN specs. It also contains only 1% benzene, compared to around 3-4% here. The only Shell fuel here which I could find with lead was their Racing Fuel 100 with only 0.55mg/L Pb.

So I can only conclude that not only oils ain't oils, fuels ain't fuels. You can take your pick: risk cancer at the pump here with benzene vapour or get poisoned with lead in Europe.

 

Yeah, I think the Mobil PULP is 95 RON, labrat.

I was in Brisvegas today.....even the fuel near the airport is under a dollar a litre. You blokes up there don't know how good you've got it.

 

Mobil Synergy 8000 is 98 RON according to their website. They have a LRP at 96, and a Synergy 6000 at some indeterminate RON?? Synergy 2000 is their std unleaded at 91/92.

 

Oh yes we do! :D Makes for a nice affordable 400km cruise day...

 

And the bloody stuff comes from here! Another difference between Europe (and possible the states) is that all their Diesel is Low Sulphure and has been for a few years now. We are only just starting (mandatory by January next year).

Andrew