Fuel for thought ...

[Buddha]

Just a quick question about the fuel that the forum members use in their Toyotas.

Its been prompted by a couple of forum posts where Sportivo owners say that dealers have charged them for injector cleaner at relatively low km services. My father has a Mazda6 and when he took it in for its last service, about 30,000 on the clock, he complained of a pinging noise. Mazda told him he would need a full injector flush and change the fuel he uses. Dad was sceptical, but the flush and subsequent change of fuel have improved things 100%. He had used Optimax from day 1, but Mazda recommend BP Ultimate as they reckon Optimax is a "dirty fuel".

I'm wondering if there's any link between using Optimax and the dealer recommending an injector clean, and what fuel do you use and why?

I usually only use normal unleaded, but if Ultimate does keep things generally cleaner, then I'd be happy to pay the extra for it, even if it doesn't lift performance as such.

Cheers.

[Azza]

Hey Buddha

Unfortunatley the Sportivo actually requires a higher octane fuel than the standard (Ascent, Conquest, Levin Ultima) range.

My preferred fuel of choice for my wed wocket is actually the Shell Optimax. As for it being 'Dirty Fuel', well I won't say it is or it isn't but I can say that I have not been affected by it yet if it is.

I did use the 'Premium' Unleaded fuel from my local 7-11 Servo recently because I really needed fuel and didn't think I was going to make it to a Shell, and I did notice that their 'Premium' appeared to make my car a little boggish under load. This is a phenomeneon I did not have with Optimax.

Why do I use Optimax as opposed to other flavours - 2 reasons, Flybuys and 4c Discount Voucher...

My car has only done around 6500kms at this stage so if by the 10K service it is brought to my attention that their may be an issue with the fuel being dirty, then I will give the BP Ultimate a go...

I used standard unleaded in my last car, 2000 Corolla Levin, and occasional I would put the Optimax in perhaps 1 out of 5 tanks, and I actually noticed a difference with the performace and milage.

But I think it's comes down to preference and the make/model of the car. Perhaps the Mazda just doesn't like Shell.....

[CAP]

At my last service (15,000) km Toyota wanted to flush my injecters ( An additional $75.00 ) I refused to have it done. I run on Optimax ( because of the 4c discount ) and my car runs fine.

My mechanic specialises in Injector Cleaning for dealers, they only need to be cleaned once a car has traveled a high amount of km's ( Over 60K )

[ZEEROLLA]

They wanted to charge me more than $75 for the injector clean at Toyota since my 10,000km service. I don't beleive in having it done unless you have been pussy footing your car but for me i usually open her up at every chance i got. Some 98 Octane fuels would also have some sort of fuel additive that helps clean the system (i know Shell Optimax has). I know this injector clean is more thourough and more effective but i don't see the need to do it, its not even mentioned in the service manual. Unless your car is running weak and have clocked a few kms.

I used to use Shell Optimax a lot because it is more accessible and its the first 98octane fuel. But now i use BP Ultimate more than Shell Optimax only because they label their fuel as 98Octane at the pumps and offer a fuel guarantee ;) Don't know if Shell does the same.

[Cooley]

Why do I use Optimax as opposed to other flavours - 2 reasons, Flybuys and 4c Discount Voucher...

Yeah, so do I. . But I dun care about the Flybuys, they are a piece of shxt.

My car has only done around 6500kms at this stage so if by the 10K service it is brought to my attention that their may be an issue with the fuel being dirty, then I will give the BP Ultimate a go...

I used standard unleaded in my last car, 2000 Corolla Levin, and occasional I would put the Optimax in perhaps 1 out of 5 tanks, and I actually noticed a difference with the performace and milage.

But I think it's comes down to preference and the make/model of the car.  Perhaps the Mazda just doesn't like Shell.....

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I did my 10k last month, they didn't asked me to do any injector cleaning. I used Optimax since day 1 with some Mobil 8000 in some occasions. Both of them are cool, haven't tried the BP Utimate yet.

[Azza]

Flybuys rock, but anyway...

Need to get some petrol today so if BP aren't in rip-off mode then I might give the ultimate a go....

I will provide a full report upon completion of this tank....and knowing the way my wife gets me to run around, that'll be this afternoon

[Cooley]

Flybuys rock, but anyway...

Need to get some petrol today so if BP aren't in rip-off mode then I might give the ultimate a go....

I will provide a full report upon completion of this tank....and knowing the way my wife gets me to run around, that'll be this afternoon

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The points u get in Flybuys expired before you save enough to get something from it.......they expired very soon....I was shocked last time when I went to www.flybuys.com.au :(

[Azza]

Since February 2002, we have gotten the following stuff with Flybuys....

1 x Telstra Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine & Second Handset

1 x $200.00 Coles-Myer Gift Voucher

2 x $100.00 Coles-Myer Gift Voucher

We now have enough points again to get another lot of $100.00 Coles-Myer gift voucher.

It's all about where you shop and the way you spend money. We do all our groceries at Coles and petrol at Coles Express. KMart, Target and Myer also feature on the list. Purchase beer from Liquorland and I have bought a ferw rings and **** for my wife over the past couple of years at Michael Hill (Good for triple flybuys)

Most of the stores usually do bonus flybuy. Example, I eat a fair bit of Tuna, and Coles did the other week 10 tins of tuna and get 200 points. I normally buy 5 a feww, so I bought 2 weeks worth... You don't need to spend anything extra, just watch WHERE you spend....

Anyway, back to topic...

I filled up this morning with the BP Ultimate. Can't say I have noticed anything significant yet, but will keep you updated....

[Azza]

Hey,

Used a tank of BP Ultimate then decided to refill with it for comparison purposes. I must say that I did notice a difference on highway cycle economy. I reckon the Ultimate is better, whereas around town, the Optimax in my opinion gives slightly better performance.

Mind you, in saying that, I haven't really had an opportunity yet since using Ultimate to experiment with the lifting experience...