Shell Optimax Extreme 100 Octane!

[scathing]

Now, why would Nissan specifically put answers in their FAQ about ethanol blended fuels? Its not like they profit from people not buying certain fuels over others. 98 Optimax is apparently ethanol-free, so its not like you have to go to a different brand to avoid it. Nor is anyone else selling 100RON at the moment to compete.

What's the angle for telling you that you can't run certain pump fuel?

And, with your "research" (which is more scouring of anecdotal evidence) do you think its not possible that Nissan, with its slightly larger resources, may have done some research themselves? And, if they were erring on the safe side, why only limit the "banned" list to cars built before a certain date, instead of all of them?

I don't know if ethanol blended fuels (of any concentration) will cause permanent damage to some Nissans. I never said it was. My response to you was purely about your assertion that Nissan has not warned against it.

But, then again, you don't know either. You believe you do, but you've got no concrete evidence from proper scientific testing. Just anecdotal stories from people who've tested it, and its not like ethanol blended fuels have been on the Australian market long enough to highlight long-term damage.

But if the guys who have to pay for the repairs on your car under warranty say that some of their vehicles shouldn't run it, and you want to err on the side of caution, then as I said you take your chances. You were told not to - so if your fuel system gets f**ked you've got no-one to blame but yourself.

[Patto-]

It appears your reading writing skills are about as good as your reading skills. I hope no-one ever takes your word for any life-or-death actions, because they're probably going to come out of it in a bodybag.

The first line of your original comment, which I quoted in my response to refresh your memory, said (and let me quote it again since you're too daft to remember your own words), "Nissan has not discouraged the use of e5."

Now, I linked to the Nissan Australia FAQ, where they say they do not recommend running ethanol-blended fuels.

Now, AFAIK very little by way of facts penetrates your brain. The difference is, I can provide proof.

There's no mention of what percentage of ethanol blended fuels they do not recommend, but they do mention a percentage in the first paragraph of the ethanol FAQ. And its quite reasonable to assume that this percentage is carried on throughout the rest of the response.

It says:

Now, if you live in shyster-land, "up to 10% ethanol" apparently doesn't include 5%. Unfortunately for him, in the land of people that passed 1st grade math before they got a license, it does.

You're the kind of guy that goes to an "up to 70% off sale" and then chucks a fit at the counter when the pink shirt you want to buy is only 40% off because you're apparently getting "ripped off".

Anyway, on a lighter note, its nice to see that your nick suits you so well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some people get really upset over trivial things on the internet. I wonder if you would reply to a person in such a way in real life. I doubt it. If my post was of such low intelligence why bother crafting such a long reply to it? Oh well, you got your little ego boost for the day.

If you read the quote that I provided from R31Nismoid who has contacted Nissan and found that: "There has been no press release on E5 at this stage and Nissan's stance is unknown at this point until testing completes....This is direct from Nissan Australia's Customer Relations Department on the use of E5 in pre-2004 vehicles."

This is direct from Nissan, it says they have no stance towards e5 fuel. It is in a reply to a direct and specific question, not a generalised statement in Nissan FAQ.

[The Baron]

Whoa - huge flamage over something that's completely voluntary ;-)

As a side note - as quoted earlier - I'd have no hesitation in using e5 blended fuel such as Optimax 100 (though I probably wouldn't pay extra ;-)

[Patto-]

Now, why would Nissan specifically put answers in their FAQ about ethanol blended fuels? Its not like they profit from people not buying certain fuels over others. 98 Optimax is apparently ethanol-free, so its not like you have to go to a different brand to avoid it. Nor is anyone else selling 100RON at the moment to compete.

What's the angle for telling you that you can't run certain pump fuel?

And, with your "research" (which is more scouring of anecdotal evidence) do you think its not possible that Nissan, with its slightly larger resources, may have done some research themselves? And, if they were erring on the safe side, why only limit the "banned" list to cars built before a certain date, instead of all of them?

I don't know if ethanol blended fuels (of any concentration) will cause permanent damage to some Nissans. I never said it was. My response to you was purely about your assertion that Nissan has not warned against it.

But if the guys who have to pay for the repairs on your car under warranty say that some of their vehicles shouldn't run it, and you want to err on the side of caution, then as I said you take your chances. You were told not to - so if your fuel system gets f**ked you've got no-one to blame but yourself.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thankyou for another long reply for my limited intelligence to struggle to comprehend. My research was done for my own personal interests, as I don't like to gain all my information from the media, which has consistently spouted generalised and often misleading information about ethanol blended fuels. It was not formal research, but it was definately not anecdotal.

That statement came out in 2004. It was in response to the media scaremongering about ethanol blended fuels. It basically states that Nissan can guarantee that all its cars purchased from that point on are perfectly safe to run on ethanol blended fuels up to e10. It was based on testing the cars in their current line-up, they would have no interest in buying back older models for testing.

But, then again, you don't know either. You believe you do, but you've got no concrete evidence from proper scientific testing. Just anecdotal stories from people who've tested it, and its not like ethanol blended fuels have been on the Australian market long enough to highlight long-term damage.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know what the full effects of ethanol blended in fuels in Nissans is, and I never said I did. Alll I said was that as far as was aware, they have no policy towards e5 fuel, which is supported by Nissan Customer Service, but somewhat contradicted by their online FAQ. What anecdotal stories? The only info I've provided so far is from the Biofuels Taskforce. Hardly anecdotal stories. Also, Ethanol has been mixed with fuel in Australia since the 1920s.

But as I said this is all old news, and has already been argued to death. As such I will try not to post in this thread anymore.

Edited January 10, 2006 by shyster

[Mr Italy!]

If you read the quote that I provided from R31Nismoid who has contacted Nissan and found that: "There has been no press release on E5 at this stage and Nissan's stance is unknown at this point until testing completes....This is direct from Nissan Australia's Customer Relations Department on the use of E5 in pre-2004 vehicles."

This is direct from Nissan, it says they have no stance towards e5 fuel. It is in a reply to a direct and specific question, not a generalised statement in Nissan FAQ.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No it doesnt say they have no stance towards e5 fuel, it says they have an unknown stance as the testing has not been completed. Theres a big difference there.

Please tell me you are not that one sided FOR ethanol fuel that you cannot see the difference.

Nissan have a stance AGAINST e10 fuel, and they are yet to complete research into e5 fuel.

Edited January 10, 2006 by Mr Italy!

[Patto-]

^^^ So you're saying Nissan has a stance, but they don't know what it is?

Doesn't this mean they have no stance at this stage? Please forgive my limited intelligence but you're going to have to explain the big difference.

But as I said I don't want to sit here arguing all day, I've got better things to do. We should try and let this thread go back to its original purpose, of allowing people who have used the fuel to give their own experience of it, rather than just arguing trivial points.

[Mr Italy!]

^^^ So you're saying Nissan has a stance, but they don't know what it is?

Doesn't this mean they have no stance at this stage? Please forgive my limited intelligence but you're going to have to explain the big difference.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Having NO stance is sayin they dont care what e5 fuel will do to their engines. Having no stance would be disregarding facts that have been brought to them which says ethanol fuel may do damage. Having No stance would be correct if they Ignored their customers and the community at large. Thats not what Nissan are doing.

Having a pending stance (which is what they currently have against e5 fuels), means their decision is pending. The research is being done and their stance will be concluded once the research is completed.

Thats the difference.

[Patto-]

Ok, but obviously thats what I said in the first place. I said they don't have a stance, until they have finished testing. We're just splitting hairs now.

Lets go back to the original purpose of the thread. I have not had a chance to use Optimax Extreme, as no Shell servos on the coast have it in stock. But next time I'm in Sydney I will probably fill up. In the meantime I'd like to hear the opinions of more people who have used it and whether they think it is worth the extra couple of cents or not.