The article is not an advertisement for Shell products, so we will first determine the criteria for good automotive fuel in principle, and then we will deal with the gasoline nuances of the Shell brand. There are many reviews 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 to a car’s engine, literally half a 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 tedious fuss with changing candles, and even more so from washing the fuel block of the car.
According to physicochemical characteristics, the main factor of high quality is detonation.
Knock and octane
Detonation must always be remembered and, of course, to 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 metal knock in the engine and “sneezing” of the motor — its unstable operation. In the exhaust pipe you can also see unpleasant detonation symptoms - these are exhausts with black smoke. What is the danger of detonation in a car engine? Everything is very simple: it simply destroys it.
In order to minimize the risk of detonation, gasoline must be stable. And this stability is determined by the octane number. Its level just shows the degree of stability of gasoline. According to this logic, AI-98 gasoline is assessed as the most stable and, therefore, high-quality.
A word to tankers
If you need objective and at the same time professional reviews of gasoline at Shell gas stations, then for starters it will be useful to ask refueling.
A lot of resources are devoted to the issues of gasoline fuel and service at the gas station on the Web. Reviews on Shell gasoline, as well as on other brands, vary in objectivity and, most importantly, professionalism. Nevertheless, general trends and conclusions can be captured.
At any gas station, the fuel issue is the most important. There are exactly four evaluation criteria:
- quality (octane number, etc.);
- price;
- storage technology;
- filling accuracy.
According to many refuellers, all trading companies have the same fuel: gas - it is also gas in Africa. The conditions of delivery and storage make it unequal.
Delivery and storage factors
At all gas stations there are so-called fuel dispensers (fuel dispensers). At their core, they are measuring instruments, so they should be checked periodically (constant verification). At the same time, employees of gas stations 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, which 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 quite another. This is the density of the flow of cars at the gas station.
If this density is low, that is, cars call in and refuel rarely, gasoline stagnates in the tank, and sediment forms at the bottom. It can get into the gas tank of a car with all the ensuing consequences: burning coils, cleaning the fuel system, etc.
Judging by the reviews on 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 numerous reviews about the quality of gasoline at Shell gas stations, we can draw certain conclusions, the overall tone of which is more positive. Although there are also negative comments.
Reviews on Shell 95 gasoline are generally good and look something like this: with long use, the candles do not need to be changed, they remain in good condition. The exhaust pipe is not smoked. Shell 95 fans often criticize the "charged" V-Power. They do not believe in miraculous additives.
Reviews on Shell-98 gasoline are also generally positive. This is especially evident from the results of research by specialists. In the ranking of the magazine “Behind the Wheel” of 2018, among the Russian gas stations in terms of gasoline quality, Shell refueling confidently took the first place. In the framework of the same study, the compliance of Shell-98 gasoline with its standard characteristics was checked.
What do you like at Shell gas stations
- The possibility of postpay (payment after pouring) at all Shell gas stations, including even areas where such a payment method did not exist at all before they appeared.
- Gasoline of any brand is consistently good, even taking into account the fact that it comes to gas stations from different suppliers.
- The system of club bonuses "Shell" as a fact of existence. But there are drawbacks (about them below).
- The coffee is the same at all Shell gas stations and always of high quality. It can be bought for club bonuses.
- Branded fuel trucks of new technology.
- Cleanliness, overall comfort and service. Above average, second only to BP gas stations (this item is more often referred to in Shell reviews in Moscow).
- At all gas stations, equipment is only new and with the latest technology.
What do not like at Shell gas stations
- The high cost of branded gasoline. Shell is one of the most expensive brands in Russia, including the entire line of fuel brands.
- A small number of gas stations by region. The network is expanding, but judging by the reviews, it loses 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 a franchise. The quality of their suppliers' gasoline is still an open question. At least it is too early to talk about the stability of their fuel performance.
- Poor selection of goods for club bonuses. Goods are too expensive and of poor quality (excluding excellent coffee).
- Many customers are dissatisfied with the extremely odorous "non-freezing" washer.
Reviews on Shell V-Power gasoline: is it worth the extra cost?
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 gasoline itself and the process of its supply for each link.
The authors of the new V-Power brand claim that its production costs much more than traditional oil refining according to the standards of gasoline brands. The fuel of the new generation is multifunctional, it differs even from the "native" gasoline brands.
Here is what makes this multifunctional (according to author reviews of Shell gasoline):
- minimization of 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 of the fuel are given by additives with a special formula, "which allows to increase the dynamics of the engine by cleaning the internal parts and surfaces from deposits and perfect complete combustion of the fuel." The spirit is breathtaking from such characteristics.
Elixirs for engines
Modern additives are whole compositions and have truly magical properties, making the advanced expensive brands of gasoline almost an elixir of health and youth for automotive engines. Is it really?
The most objective type of feedback on fuel quality is the results of testing conducted by third-party companies not interested in lobbying Shell products. Such a test was the study of the AI-95 and AI-98 gasoline brands at several gas stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, which was carried out by specialists of "Autoreview" - the most authoritative network resource for Russian motorists.
Independent Test Results
The results came out very encouraging: in gasoline grades 95 and 98, the harmful additives that were added to the fuel earlier were forgotten. Sulfur, benzene, resins, manganese and, finally, iron supplements - everything was normal.
In terms of basic parameters, Shell 95 and 98 gasolines comply with GOSTs and, which is especially encouraging, Euro 3 standards.
The result of the test is not in doubt. Shell branded gas stations (as well as BP, TNK and Lukoil) sell high-quality gasoline that meets the stated specifications. Conclusions for motorists are even clearer: Shell gasoline can be poured into modern foreign cars without fear.
The following advice is important: gasoline containing a washing additive should be used constantly, and not occasionally in the form of a “washing” of engine parts. If you use V-Power constantly, a raid will not form at all. If you pour gasoline without additives, then also on an ongoing basis.
It's all about 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 the Shell 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 "bare marketing". With general loyalty to the Shell product line, they use ordinary gasoline 95 or 98, giving quite serious arguments.
Others in their reviews of gasoline at Shell gas stations note less fuel consumption, perfect engine performance and consider the V-Power to be no alternative for their cars. Their arguments are no less serious.
The whole point is the subjectivity of this kind of disputes and reasoning, which are based on personal feelings about how the engine behaves in response to pouring another type of fuel. Therefore, seriously taking into account amateur reviews of Shell gasoline seems ungrateful.
Many drivers are interested in the question of how and where additives are added. After all, the entire range of Shell gasoline is made from products from the Ryazan or Yaroslavl oil depots. 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 still being done at the tank farm, pouring 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, which can be added to the common tank with a remote control with high accuracy.
A logical question arises. If converting regular gasoline to elite 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 adherence to technological requirements, the stability of all production processes and the high level of service at its gas stations. If you look, then this is a completely adequate set of services, given the high competition in the Russian gasoline market. One way or another, the Shell brand is associated with stable gasoline properties and high quality service. And this is the most important thing.