Do You Really Need Premium Gas? For a Cleaner Engine and Better Performance, You Might
It's a nagging question, but for many cars, premium gas is necessary. Now, Shell V-Power Nitro takes it a step further, promising cleaner engines, more power and better performance.
Evelyn Kanter
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Shell’s new V-Power Nitro+ premium gas aims to be the best.
It’s an ongoing debate: do you really need premium gas? Or are you just, literally, burning your money? Experts and pro drivers agree that premium fuel can boost your car’s performance, and for some cars, it’s necessary. In fact, Mazda has developed engines that generate more power when using premium gas, but run fine on regular, too.
Premium gas, which can range from a small *premium* over the price of regular to as much as 24% more, will also prevent deposits in your engine that are unforgiving, robbing your car of both fuel economy and performance. This was the challenge for Shell: To create an even better premium gas formulation that promises to remove up to 100% of deposits and rejuvenate your engine’s performance.
Its name is as impressive as its promise – Shell V-Power Nitro+ Premium – available now in nearly 13,000 Shell stations nationwide.
Do You Really Need Premium Gas? Here’s How To Know
Which Cars Really Need Premium Gas?
To know if your car needs premium, look at your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s site; if a manufacturer advises that premium is required, then you should use it. If premium is “recommended” then it’s up to you. You may find that your car gets better performance – faster acceleration and able to run at higher speeds – using premium.
But some drivers find that using premium gas instead of regular keeps their engine in better operating condition.
That’s the idea behind Shell’s new premium gas, which is specially formulated for engines with direct injection – which is most vehicles these days – but can be used in any vehicle to help clean the engine and provide a performance boost.
The unique technology targets and destroys deposits in the most critical part of the engine, the fuel injector. Buildup can have a disruptive effect on the spray into the combustion chamber.
“The new Shell V-Power NiTRO+ is our highest-performing fuel yet,” said Barbra Stoyko, Shell’s Senior VP for Mobility, at an event held to launch the product. “We set out on the journey because we know our customers care about driving their vehicles with fuel that helps keep their engines in peak performance.”
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Athletes know the value of high grade fuel and how it impacts performance; Lindsey Vonn was on hand to add to the discussion. Photo: Evelyn Kanter
Top Grade Fuel Is the Key to Peak Performance. Ask Any Athlete
Performance was the theme of the evening, which included a panel of three famous athletes known for their winning performances, talking about what motivates them.
Five-time World Series Champion and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Reggie Jackson, also known as Mr. October, talked about the thousands of kids he works with in the Bronx through his foundation who inspire him.
Olympic Gold Medal and World Cup champion skier Lindsey Vonn said “never lose sight of your goals despite obstacles”. She did not mention that an obstacle she overcame was getting back on the race course – and winning – after several knee surgeries.
F1 test driver for the Ferrari team and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Marc Gené talked about being inspired by the technology of modern racing, such as “scanning our body so the seat is a perfect fit”, making the driver can feel part of the car.
Yes, there was a high-performance Ferrari on display – red, of course – and violinist Sarah Charness performed on both a modern high-tech electric violin and a rare Stradivarius from the 1750s. Talk about performance!
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