Gasoline "Shell": reviews and specifications

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The article is not an advertisement for Shell products, so first we will define the criteria for good automotive fuel in principle, and then we will deal with the nuances of the Shell brand gasoline. There are a lot of reviews about him from motorists, and they are more subjective. Therefore, we will understand without emotions and "lyrics".

What is good gas from a driver's point of view?

From the point of view of an ordinary consumer, good gasoline is an easy start of a car engine, literally with a half turn. If the fuel is of high quality, the air temperature below zero will not interfere with the quick start of the engine, even in cold weather. The car rides on the road easily and smoothly. High-quality gasoline frees motorists from the tedious fuss with changing candles, and even more so from washing the fuel block of the car.

According to the physical and chemical characteristics, detonation is the main factor for high quality.

Knock and octane

Detonation should always be rememberedand, of course, understand this concept. At its core, this is a defective, incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine. Such a process immediately manifests itself in the form of a metallic knock in the engine and a "sneeze" of the motor - its unstable operation. In the exhaust pipe, you can also see unpleasant symptoms of detonation - these are exhausts with black smoke. Why is detonation dangerous in a car engine? It's very simple: she will simply destroy him.

In order to minimize the risk of detonation, gasoline must be stable. And this stability determines the octane number. Its level just shows the degree of stability of gasoline. According to this logic, AI-98 gasoline is rated as the most stable and, therefore, of high quality.

A word to the tankers

If you need objective and at the same time professional reviews of gasoline at Shell gas stations, it will be useful to ask around for a start.

There are a lot of resources on the Web about gasoline fuel and service at gas stations. Reviews about Shell gasoline, as well as about other brands, differ in objectivity and, most importantly, professionalism. Nevertheless, general trends and conclusions can be caught.

At any gas station, the issue of fuel is the most important. There are exactly four evaluation criteria:

• quality (octane number, etc.);
• price;
• storage technologies;
• filling accuracy.

According to many tankers, all trading companies have the same fuel: gasoline is also gasoline in Africa. Delivery conditions andstorage.

Shipping and storage factors

All filling stations have so-called fuel dispensers (TRKs). In their essence, they are measuring instruments, therefore they must be checked periodically (permanent verification). At the same time, gas station employees use special measuring devices, and their verification is carried out quarterly.

New equipment and technological discipline at Shell gas stations virtually eliminate the possibility of violations or abuses during refueling (underfilling).

Gasoline is stored in tanks that also perform a measuring function. Their verification is carried out much less frequently, only once every five years. But the main criterion for the quality of gasoline in tanks is something completely different. This is the traffic density at the gas station.

If this density is low, that is, cars rarely drive in and refuel, gasoline in the tank stagnates, and sediment forms at the bottom. It can get into the car's gas tank with all the ensuing consequences: burning coils, cleaning the fuel system, etc.

Judging by the reviews about the quality of Shell gasoline, it is insured against such troubles thanks to new equipment from good manufacturers at branded gas stations.

Review analysis

Analyzing the numerous reviews about the quality of gasoline at Shell gas stations, we can draw certain conclusions, the general tone of which is mostly positive. Although there are also negative comments.

Reviews on gasolineShell 95s are generally not bad and look something like this: with long use, the candles do not need to be changed, they remain in good condition. The exhaust pipe does not smoke. Shell-95 fans often criticize the "charged" V-Power. They don't believe in miracle drugs.

Reviews on Shell-98 gasoline are also generally positive. This is especially evident in the results of research by specialists. In the ranking of the magazine "Behind the wheel" in 2018 among Russian gas stations in terms of gasoline quality, Shell gas stations confidently took the first place. As part of the same study, Shell-98 gasoline was tested for compliance with its standard characteristics.

What do you like about Shell gas stations

• Possibility of post-pay (payment after filling) at all Shell gas stations, including even areas where such a payment method did not exist before they appeared.
• Gasoline of any brand is consistently good, even though it comes to gas stations from different suppliers.
• Shell club bonus system as a fact of existence. But there are drawbacks (more on them below).
• Coffee is the same at all Shell gas stations and always of high quality. It can be bought with club bonuses.
• Brand new technology fuel trucks.
• Cleanliness, general comfort and service. The level is above average, second only to BP gas stations (this item is often called in reviews of Shell gasoline in Moscow).
• All gas stations have only new and state-of-the-art equipment.

What you don't like about Shell gas stations

• The high cost of branded gasoline. Shell is one of the most expensive brands in Russia, including the entire range of fuel brands.
• Small number of gas stations by region. The network is expanding, but, judging by the reviews, it is losing the quality of service and gasoline. The fact is that in a significant part of the regions, the development of the network occurs only through the franchise. The quality of gasoline from their suppliers is still an open question. At least, it is too early to talk about the stability of their fuel indicators.
• Poor choice of products for club bonuses. The goods are too expensive and of low quality (excluding excellent coffee).
• Many customers are dissatisfied with the extremely odorous "antifreeze" wash.

Shell V-Power gasoline reviews: is it worth paying extra?

Each new brand of fuel is developed carefully and for a long time: for about five years. Most of the time is occupied by numerous tests of the gasoline itself and the process of its supply for each link.

The authors of the new brand V-Power claim that its production costs much more than the traditional refining of oil by the standards of gasoline grades. The new generation of fuel is multifunctional, it differs even from the "native" gasoline brands.

Here's what makes this versatility (according to the author's reviews of Shell gasoline):

• minimizing carbon deposits on the inner surface of the engine;
• cleaning properties of gasoline (engine cleaning);
• protective properties against friction and corrosion.

According to the manufacturer, all these incredible properties are given to the fuel by additives with a special formula that "allows you to increase the dynamics of the engine by cleaning the internal parts and surface from deposits and perfect complete combustion of the fuel." Such characteristics are breathtaking.

Elixirs for engines

Modern additives are whole compositions and have truly magical properties that make advanced expensive brands of gasoline almost an elixir of he alth and youth for car engines. Is it really so?

The most objective type of fuel quality feedback comes from testing conducted by outside companies not interested in lobbying for Shell products. Such a test was the study of AI-95 and AI-98 gasoline grades at several gas stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, which was conducted by specialists from Autoreview, the most authoritative network resource for Russian motorists.

Independent test results

The results came out very encouraging: in gasoline grades 95 and 98, harmful additives that were added to the fuel before were forgotten. Sulfur, benzene, resins, manganese and, finally, iron additives - everything was normal.

By the main parameters, Shell gasoline 95 and 98 comply with GOSTs and, which is especially encouraging, with Euro 3 standards.

The result of the test is beyond doubt. At Shell branded gas stations (as well as BP, TNK and"Lukoil") sell high-quality gasoline that meets the declared characteristics. The conclusions for motorists are even clearer: Shell gasolines can be poured into modern foreign cars without fear.

The following advice is important: gasoline containing a detergent additive should be used constantly, and not occasionally in the form of a "wash" of engine parts. If you use V-Power constantly, plaque will not form at all. If you fill in gasoline without additives, then also on an ongoing basis.

It's all about the detergents

In the end, I filled a full tank of V-Power, and the car just rustled.

This is one of the typical quotes from Shell's V-Power gasoline discussion forums. Consumers in their opinions were divided into two camps. Some believe that it makes no sense to overpay for the vague promises of manufacturers and their "naked marketing". With a general loy alty to the Shell product line, they use ordinary gasoline 95 or 98, making quite serious arguments.

Others, in their reviews of gasoline at Shell gas stations, note lower fuel consumption, ideal engine performance and consider V-Power to be the only option for their cars. Their arguments are no less serious.

It's all about the subjectivity of this kind of disputes and reasoning, which are based on personal feelings about how the engine behaves in response to filling in a different type of fuel. Therefore, taking seriously amateur reviews of Shell gasoline seems to be a thankless task.

The question of how and where additives are added is of interest to many drivers. After all, the entire line of Shell gasolines is made from products of the Ryazan or Yaroslavl tank farm. In other words, Ryazan gasoline turns into an elite V-Power only thanks to this additive.

The additive is added in two ways. In the first case, it is made at the oil depot, pouring it directly into the fuel truck. In the second, this is done on a special fuel truck, where there is a separate tank with an additive that can be added to a common tank by a remote command with high accuracy.

There is a legitimate question. If converting regular gasoline to premium is an elementary process, why is V-Power so expensive? The answer is simple and it applies to the entire Shell product line: the company charges for exact compliance with technological requirements, the stability of all production processes and the high level of service at its gas stations. If you look at it, then this is a quite adequate set of services, taking into account the high competition in the Russian gasoline market. One way or another, the Shell brand is associated with the stable properties of gasoline and high quality service. And this is the most important thing.