Caltex vortex premium diesel

[bluey]

Caltex tells me that the cetane rating for Vortex Ultimate Diesel is minimum of 46 (per product specification) and typically >50. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) <5%. So really, Caltex Ultimate Diesel appears to be diesel with a small amount of biodiesel and an injector cleaner and antifoam and beyond that, it's all secret.

BP Ultimate Diesel product specification says it has a minimum cetane rating of 50 and typically 55-60. BP Ultimate Diesel is standard diesel with an additive package including:
1. nitro type cetane improver
2. injector cleaner
3. anti foam to prevent splashback
4. corrosion inhibitor

If you want algicide/biocide in your diesel, you need another additive. (Still using Morey's diesel smoke killer.)

[Greg Roles]

Interesting...

I always figured BP was at the pointy end, and is my fuel of choice, and Caltex was my backup. Just not sold on Shell, and only because of a few stories early on, but i'm sure it's quite unfounded really.

[Transporter]

I've been using BP diesel which is now BP premium (can't see any other BP diesel at the servos in Adelaide) and so far so good. The Touareg done now well over 60,000km and my daughter (drives it 99% of the time) never said that there was the DPF light ON or the engine running rougher and she is quite observant.

My choice in SA would be BP, Shell (normaly CN49 when I asked long time ago), Mobil and never tried Caltex Vortex.

[K1W1]

A brand new Caltex station I regularly drive past in Melbourne advertises "Vortex Diesel" (at a 2cpl premium) and "Truck Diesel" on their displays boards out the front. I guess that indicates where the two products sit in Caltex's mind.

I've always run BP diesel in my cars and will continue to do do. Eventually we will get BP Premium Diesel in Melbourne but I'm beginning wonder if I'll live to see that day.

[wai]

Eventually we will get BP Premium Diesel in Melbourne but I'm beginning wonder if I'll live to see that day.

When I contacted BP they said this should be by the end of 2011.

[K1W1]

Yes my local BP has already had their tanks changed so they now have two diesel tanks in preparation but it seems like a long wait.

[Rosie]

When I contacted BP they said this should be by the end of 2011.

At this Stage BP Ultimate Diesel will not be available in NSW or VIC until at least mid 2012. All updates will be advertised on Welcome to BP Australia when available.

Kind regards,

Elena | Senior Customer Service Administrator - Enquiries| BP Customer Response
Phone 1300 1300 27 | Fax +61 3 9667 7714

If one were to substitute 2011 for 2012 in the message from BP above then it would be the exact same message that I received around this time last year when I asked BP about the availability Ultimate Diesel for NSW and VIC.

[wai]

If one were to substitute 2011 for 2012 in the message from BP above then it would be the exact same message that I received around this time last year when I asked BP about the availability Ultimate Diesel for NSW and VIC.

My message was on July 7, 2011 when it read:

"Unfortunately Ultimate Diesel is not yet available in NSW or VIC.
Hopefully it will be late 2011 but any updates will be advertised on www.bp.com.au."

Let's hope it is sooner rather than later

Fortunately at the moment Caltex Vortex is widely available.

[Rosie]

Hopefully it will be late 2011 but any updates will be advertised on Welcome to BP Australia

If BP are saying "Hopefully" then one seriously has to wonder if they actually have a clue at all, or if they are being deliberately vague.

As I said on another thread, that Ultimate Diesel is available in SA and QLD, but not NSW and VIC would seem to indicate where it is refined, and it would appear at face value that BP has again this year, as they did last year, deemed it not in their interest to send it to NSW and VIC. Never mind that over 40% of all diesel fuel in Australia is imported from Singapore, or that only one year on from the Deepwater fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico BP's first quarter profit for this year was US$7.12B. The US Dollar mightn't be as strong as it once was, but that's still 61M of them per day for 3 months!!! There must be a market for premium diesels, otherwise why would Caltex be selling it, and increasing outlet availability of it, in NSW and VIC? The only other explaination shouldn't come as a surprise, BP values its shareholders a hell of a lot more than it does its customers.

[bluey]

[...] Ultimate Diesel is available in SA and QLD, but not NSW and VIC would seem to indicate where it is refined, and it would appear at face value that BP has again this year, as they did last year, deemed it not in their interest to send it to NSW and VIC. [...]

I understand from chatting to the BP tech experts when Ultimate Diesel was released was that BP Ultimate is standard diesel with a special additive package. So it appears more of an issue of upgrading the distribution chain to hold both normal and Ultimate and the cost of doing that. From a commercial perspective, one would upgrade smaller towns/cities with enough potential buyers of the premium products as test markets, and then move to larger markets when profits are knowable.

Competition from Caltex Vortex would hurt - esp since it isn't really a premium product but has premium branding and sells through Caltex/Woolworths.

BP marketing needs a swift kick.

[Diesel_vert]

Competition from Caltex Vortex would hurt - esp since it isn't really a premium product but has premium branding and sells through Caltex/Woolworths.

According to Caltex, Vortex Diesel is essentially the same concept as...

BP Ultimate is standard diesel with a special additive package.

... and therein lies the debate - which fuel/additive, as a total package, is better (i.e. whoever markets it the best. )

[THELTD]

Has anyone tracked their fuel consumption with Caltex Vortex Diesel? I have only been filling with this fuel for over a month now, similar results every time: 6.2L/100KM combined [i do about the same KM's/driving every week - 06' Jetta TDI 103]

[Transporter]

I'm about to try, but I'm not sure if Caltex have the same diesel in SA. I currently use only BP diesel for many years, but I'm fed up with their "on the run business", waiting in the long queue while they make the burger and coffee to someone who came there only to eat.

[Idle]

Has anyone tracked their fuel consumption with Caltex Vortex Diesel? I have only been filling with this fuel for over a month now, similar results every time: 6.2L/100KM combined [i do about the same KM's/driving every week - 06' Jetta TDI 103]

My '09 Golf VI TDI has returned 5.988L/100 combined (calculated on odometer and pump figures,) always on Vortex and largely suburban running over the last 7122K.

Frequently it doesn't go far enough to move the temp gauge off the stop (yes, I know that ain't good for it, but I can't walk far any more) — on a highway run it does much better than that, would top 1100K between fills with ease.

Consumption improved quite noticeably as the machine freed up.

[Transporter]

I'm about to try, but I'm not sure if Caltex have the same diesel in SA. I currently use only BP diesel for many years, but I'm fed up with their "on the run business", waiting in the long queue while they make the burger and coffee to someone who came there only to eat.

Filled up with Vortex two days ago and first impressions aren't bad. The visible smoke in the rear view mirror (do that since I have my T5) about the same as BP Premium Diesel and not noticeable power loss, will see later if the fuel economy changes.