will see if Caltex Vortex diesel

Lakes · **April 01, 2009, 20:03:28**

Well i filled up with Caltex Vortex diesel this past weekend, can not really notice much yet as just have 160k on trip since fill up, also have to allow that is not a compleat tank of Vortex as diesel that was already there will delut into the Vortex. but on Good Friday early i will be duplicating the trip i did when i was able to average 4.3L/100k ( apx 66.1mpg for our brit's). on the thursday night i will fill up again with Vortex diesel so should have a compleat full tank of vortex. the only difference will be i have my 30,000k service this week but i can't see freash oil making a great deal of difference, maybe the new air cleaner (Genuine Hyundai as came with ) could help but doubt it .
so will see if the Vortex fuel helps economy, but to date i have never noticed a gain in economy useing vortex diesel, but the motor does seem to run nicely on it, it is also easy to fill the tank to the top with as a lot less foaming. just for 10cents per lt extra i want to see if it is worth it other than cleaning injectors.
so will find out post what i find.
the only fuel i have not tried is shell but another member that we no longer see reported no gain with Vortex but said got better economy on Shell diesel, so some time in future i'll test shell too.

Dazzler · **Reply #1: April 01, 2009, 21:25:19**

Quote from: Lakes on April 01, 2009, 20:03:28

the only fuel i have not tried is shell but another member that we no longer see reported no gain with Vortex but said got better economy on Shell diesel, so some time in future i'll test shell too.

Hi John,

My last full tank of fuel was "Coles" shell and unless I'm imagining it think she runs better like when I use BP ... (starting to wonder if the "Woolies" Caltex is inferior

)

A lot of people still reckon they all come from the same tanks at some point...

Lakes · **Reply #2: April 02, 2009, 10:23:42**

Dazz, the Company Cars and Trucks all use Shell as have fleet cards, the Diesel Trucks are slow so don't think could tell diff between fuel brands on them, but they have never ever had a problem caused by bad fuel useing Shell. and as i said a guy i knew that had a problem with Caltex Diesel ( long time back) had an account and only used Caltex diesel they covered the damage so they have my respect.

Dazz the ChemTech i used and still have almost a full bottle of, i still have not noticed any difference in feel or performance but it does not hurt just no gain i could notice at all, my friend at work uses it too he said he has never noticed a gain.

But when i use Caltex Vortex i don't notice a gain straight off then after 200K i notice motor feels very smooth and willing, my friend at work reports the same he can feel his Sprinter Van runs better on it too. i just got to 200K since filling with Vortex again and can feel its runing beautifull. will just wait and see if there is an economy gain on the trip next week.
cheers

Dazzler · **Reply #3: April 02, 2009, 10:29:11**

Not aware of Caltex Diesel Vortex being available in or near Devonport where I live...

Lakes · **Reply #4: April 02, 2009, 19:04:33**

Quote from: dazzling_darryl on April 02, 2009, 10:29:11

Not aware of Caltex Diesel Vortex being available in or near Devonport where I live...

No on the Caltex page say's vortex only at selected servo's in sydney and some in illawarra reagion. it is around 10cents higher the pumps look different and have Vortex Premium Diesel written on them, when you fill tank to brimp like i always do, you can see that it does not foam that much like normal diesel. but i have to drive out of my way to buy it and with it 10cents more i want to check if it helps economy or if it only makes car feel nicer runing on it, motor feels a little bit more responcive ( thats after i do 200k from fill up ) in the marketing on the web page Caltex have on this fuel it say's it's designed with modern Common Rail diesels in mind

Lakes · **Reply #5: April 12, 2009, 07:36:23**

Just got home, was a bit hard to do a direct comparition as were i had to fill up with vortex thursday night was very heavy trific till i got home 10K away, then got up in morning and when i was in the mountains temps dropped to 8c, last trip it was about 19+ all the way, on return trip was more luggage and two in the car last time was just me.
with Vortex i got 4.6L/100K so no gain in economy. but i was surprised just how much TQ motor seems to have at lower rev's now its on second tank of Vortex it can pull 5th gear smooth from 1,200rev. still happy as great economy for the conditions and the road ( rough with lots of mountains to climb ).
hard to justify the extra cost of the Vortex over normal diesel fuel but can feel motor runs much nicer and pulls much smoother with it than with normal.

camerooney · **Reply #6: April 12, 2009, 10:12:56**

In Nowra we've got a few Mobil servos, Coles/Shell and a Woolies servo. The nearest BP servo is about 45mins away.

Since I've had the Golf I was using Mobil, the servo closest to me at home. And a conveniently located diesel pump which is easy to get at.
But I was noticing the car blowing a quick puff of smoke in the morning and sometimes when I started it during the day. So I decided to give Woolies/Caltex a go. It was a little bit better, no smoke and a wee bit more responsive.

Curious, I came across this thread on vw-watercooled.
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=27351&highlight=cetane

Its an interesting read for anyone well...interested in types of diesels and what servo serves what.

So the latest tank I've used is Shell from the Coles servo and my economy has improved noticeably.
On Mobil I was averaging about 5.2l/per 100km and on the latest trip (170kms round) I averaged 4.9l per 100km. Which I'm impressed with.

I haven't been able to get near the closest BP servo, but want to try and see how the engine runs.

Cam

Lakes · **Reply #7: April 12, 2009, 11:22:05**

Cam, thats interesting, have you tried Caltex Vortex premium diesel? they have Vortex Premium Diesel written on the bowser but you won't find it at a Woolies Caltex.
i have never tried Shell Diesel in the i30, but i think i'll try that next.
How is your new Golf going?
Cheers

camerooney · **Reply #8: April 12, 2009, 12:01:51**

I've been looking around for premium diesel but haven't been able to see it in any of servos in Nowra.
Probably have it in Wollongong though. I'd like to try a tank. Hopefully when I'm up there next I'll get a chance to try a tank.

I think I'll keep using the Shell. The car is a fair bit smoother, performing better high + low rev ranges and isn't blowing any puffs of smoke either. Overall the car is going great. Surprised that I was able to get 4.9L per 100km out of it too! Must have been because I had it on cruise most of the trip so I didn't get booked (easter weekend + double demerit points)...lol

Amazing the amount of difference different fuel makes. Wouldn't worry most of the older style diesel engines for example but with the newer diesel engines it does seem to have an impact.

Dazzler · **Reply #9: April 12, 2009, 13:13:22**

If I run mine really low I can tell the difference almost straight away between some fuels and others...

Lakes · **Reply #10: April 12, 2009, 20:37:20**

Fuel is very important, and can make a difference.
with petrol i can see the difference a lot in the time ticket at the track, and by looking at the speeds i registered, i have compleatly drained fuel and refilled with different type and brand fuel and saw big gains in speed in only a quarter mile. you can feel the difference too.
i think Mobile 98 petrol BP Ultimate98 Caltex Vortex 98 is one and the same, so i would expect the Caltex Vortex Premium Diesel & the BP Ultimate Premium diesel to be one and the same too.
Shell have a different refinery so different fuel, with there petrol i don't like the way they increase there octain rateing they double cut the same fuel, there new fuels use ethanole to raise the octaine, in some motors that are runing on the rich side ( like most stock production EFI cars ) the premium fuel useing ethanole you can notice a gain as the use of ethanole tents to lean out the AFR so more power at higher rev's.
but with diesel who knows? not me.
But i can tell Vortex Premium diesel just by filling my tank as a lot less foaming.

Cam you can find a list of servo's that stock Vortex Diesel if you do a search on vortex diesel in NSW there are a few in illawarra area.

Blue · **Reply #11: July 04, 2009, 09:38:09**

Well, after reading this thread, I thought Id try the BP Diesel...

Now it's early days, but... Average Fuel consumption dropped from 5.4 to 5.2.. And I SWEAR it FEELS better under the boot...

The car had originally had whatever they put in it to get it here... plus 1/2 a tank of Shell.

Maybe it's all in my head, but the BP certainly feels better, and the Trip Computer seems to like it too !

Dazzler · **Reply #12: July 04, 2009, 09:54:55**

Quote from: Blue link=topic=2811.msg32684#msg32684
Maybe it's all in my head, but the BP certainly feels better, and the Trip Computer seems to like it too !
[/quote

I'm sure there is something in it (so to speak) I gave my little bus a dose of BP today (costs me about 6 cents a litre more than caltex (as no 4c discount voucher) but sure enough later in the day she "took off" up a hill better than usual and I remembered the BP drink...:-)

hayseed · **Reply #13: July 04, 2009, 15:35:27**

Quote from: Dazz on July 04, 2009, 09:54:55

I'm sure there is something in it (so to speak) I gave my little bus a dose of BP today (costs me about 6 cents a litre more than caltex (as no 4c discount voucher) but sure enough later in the day she "took off" up a hill better than usual and I remembered the BP drink...:-)

Caltex and Woolworths/Safeway Caltex are two different things I found out. So I won't be getting to use my 4c discount if I'm wanting to buy that Vortex Diesel! /sadface

Jon · **Reply #14: July 04, 2009, 15:39:42**

Aye, Woolworths/Safeway have an agreement with Caltex to co-brand their outlets as they use Caltex fuel. They're owned and operated by Woolworths Limited.

There are a very small number of Woolworths sites that have Vortex diesel though, you can try the Caltex search page (http://www.nowwhere.com.au/caltex/austlocator/search.aspx) - tick both Vortex diesel & Woolworths dockets accepted for petrol and diesel to see if there are any in your area.

[edit] actually, there are 4 in NSW and that's it - Randwick, Erina, Toronto & New Lambton.

hayseed · **Reply #15: July 04, 2009, 16:00:20**

Quote from: Jon on July 04, 2009, 15:39:42

[edit] actually, there are 4 in NSW and that's it - Randwick, Erina, Toronto & New Lambton.

Boo! None of which are near me! However, my local Hyundai dealer is within spitting distance of the Caltex, so kind of happy with that.

whitbomb07 · **Reply #16: July 05, 2009, 05:56:01**

Quote from: Jon on July 04, 2009, 15:39:42

actually, there are 4 in NSW and that's it - Randwick, Erina, Toronto & New Lambton.

Well I've tried the New Lambton one (was rather cheap 125.9) and got the 4cpl off, but was not impressed when I saw on the bowser 'May contain upto 2% biodiesel'

I wouldn't think that they would do that for the 'premium' but then again it doesn't surprise me, from what I hear the woolies outlets do get lower quality petrol and diesel fuel. I know most caltex 'regular' diesel fuel have stickers about 'may contain up to 2% biodiesel fuel' but never seen it for the vortex before.

Whilst overall the performance hasn't been to bad (in some cases better than normal but not as good as pure vortex) I think the engine noise is louder. Plus economy hasn't been anything to write home about, currently on 5.2l/100km (which is about what I average for standard diesel fuel) with alot of highway driving, but also with a fair bit of hard acceleration. Also alot of hill climb (but offset with descent) I can't decide, but I don't think I'll be using it again.

I tried contacting Caltex to see if it was a mistake but either I put my email in wrong (possible) or they have rather poor customer service.

Regards

Daniel

ivana · **Reply #17: July 05, 2009, 15:49:34**

thats my local too.

and i looked and asked about that last time i filled up (just over 500km ago)

the guy said that the old caltex diesel did have 2% bio in it. but he was not sure about the new vortex. and unfortunately i have not had a chance to call caltex and ask WTF?

but im suspecting that the sticker is on there from when they first started adding bio to the old diesel they used to sell there.

Lakes · **Reply #18: July 08, 2009, 08:19:05**

well i don't know much about bio diesel, but the other day i was pulled up in traffic beside two toyota diesel hi ace vans they were late model and on both filler ??? fuel tank covers they had written, Caution use Diesel Fuel only, do not use Bio Diesel or\ could result in engine failure.

middy · **Reply #19: July 09, 2009, 00:14:03**

According to the Caltex website there are three different types of diesel:
Diesel - Ultra Low Sulphur
Vortex Premium diesel
New Generation diesel

The New Generation diesel contains 2% biodiesel. There is a long list of service stations in NSW that apparently have this New Generation diesel, New Lambton being one of them.

Thankfully there are none in Qld yet. 8)

Doggie 1 · **Reply #20: July 23, 2009, 10:16:51**

I have three Caltex servos within striking distance of where I live & I've learned that one of them only stocks Vortex so I thought I'd give it a try for the first time.
I was definitely able to get a bit more in due to it not foaming much, but I also got my best result yet for distance on one tank at 1106 kms, so I filled up again with it today. I can't say i noticed any difference yet in the way it performed but I'll put a few tankfuls through and see how it goes.