# V-Power vs ULTIMAX: What Do Premium Fuels Offer? | Otto Explains | AutoTronix **Section:** Otto Explains **Canonical:** https://autotronix.om/otto/v-power-vs-ultimax-premium-fuel **Language:** English **Arabic version:** https://autotronix.om/ar/otto/v-power-vs-ultimax-premium-fuel --- ## Short Answer It depends on what your engine is designed for. Shell V-Power and OOMCO's ULTIMAX are both premium petrols sold in Oman, but they are different products: Shell states that V-Power is a 95 RON petrol with its own cleaning and friction-reducing additives, while OOMCO states that ULTIMAX has an octane number of 98 and describes it as additive-free. A higher octane number means more resistance to knock, not more energy, so the grade your owner's manual specifies is the one that matters. --- ## What is Shell V-Power? Shell V-Power is the premium petrol sold by Shell Oman Marketing Company. Shell Oman states that its Research Octane Number (RON) is 95, the same RON as standard Mogas 95. What Shell presents as the difference is its additive package: V-Power is formulated with what Shell calls DYNAFLEX Technology, which it says is designed to clean away engine deposits and reduce friction. Shell says V-Power is designed for any petrol engine, old or new. Its performance and efficiency claims are made in comparison with Shell's own Mogas fuels, and Shell itself notes that actual effects vary with the vehicle, its condition and the driving style, and that no guarantees are given. --- ## What is ULTIMAX? ULTIMAX is the premium petrol sold by Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO), which launched it in Oman in 2018 and describes itself as the only company in Oman offering it. OOMCO states that ULTIMAX has an octane number of 98 and describes it as pure and additive-free. It says ULTIMAX suits all types of cars, is highly recommended for sports cars, and improves performance, fuel efficiency and engine protection while reducing emissions. These are OOMCO's own claims. One point matters when comparing: OOMCO does not say whether its 98 is a RON figure or a figure from another octane test, so it can't be compared directly with V-Power's RON 95 or with the RON figure in an owner's manual. --- ## Does a higher octane number mean more power? Not on its own. An octane number measures how well petrol resists knock, the early, uncontrolled ignition of the fuel-air mixture; it is not a measure of energy. In most cases, a higher octane than the owner's manual recommends gives no benefit in performance, speed or fuel economy. The reverse matters more: an engine designed for higher-octane petrol can lose some performance and may knock on a lower grade. Otto explains octane numbers in more detail in a separate article. If fuel use is your concern, it has many other causes, covered in [why a car uses more fuel](https://autotronix.om/otto/high-fuel-consumption). --- ## Which fuel should your car use? The grade your owner's manual specifies, and the manual is also where to check whether a figure is RON. On some cars the required octane is printed on a label inside the fuel filler flap as well. Many everyday engines don't need a premium grade: Mazda's general-market CX-5 manual, for example, lists regular unleaded petrol of 90 RON or above for Oman. If your manual asks for 95 RON, Mogas 95 meets it, and so does V-Power, which Shell states is 95 RON. If your manual asks for more than 95 RON, ask OOMCO or your car's authorised agent whether ULTIMAX meets that specification, because OOMCO does not state the scale behind its 98. Don't go below the grade specified: petrol with a lower octane rating than the manufacturer specifies can cause knocking and serious engine damage. --- ## Are the additives worth it? That is the real difference between the two products, and the evidence is mostly the marketers' own. As a rule, a higher octane number does not clean an engine better than the grade specified; cleaning comes from detergent additives, which are a separate matter. Some carmakers do recommend petrol treated with detergent additives to help prevent engine deposits: Kia's manual for American models, for example, does. Shell says V-Power's DYNAFLEX formulation cleans and reduces friction compared with its Mogas fuels, with no guarantees given. OOMCO takes the opposite approach and markets ULTIMAX as additive-free. We found no independent test of either product in Omani conditions, so treat each company's benefit claims as that company's claims, and let your manual decide the grade. --- ## What if your engine knocks on the recommended fuel? Switching brands or grades isn't a fix for a knock. Fuel below the octane an engine needs is a common cause of knocking, but the same sound can come from mechanical faults, and only testing tells them apart. Treat a new, loud or persistent knock as a reason to stop safely, switch the engine off and have the engine checked before driving on. Otto covers the causes of engine knocking, and the habits that harm an engine, in separate articles. AutoTronix Garage handles engine diagnosis and repair, and AutoTronix Lab carries out diagnostic testing. --- ## Common Questions **Can I mix V-Power with other petrol in the tank?** Yes, according to Shell Oman, V-Power can be mixed with all other brands of petrol. Shell adds that it should not be diluted with other petrol if you want its full benefit. **Will a premium fuel make my car faster?** Not by itself. A higher octane than your manual recommends usually adds nothing to performance or speed, and Shell Oman's own answer is that speed is dictated by the driver, not the fuel. **Is ULTIMAX 98 the same as a 98 RON petrol?** That isn't confirmed. OOMCO gives the octane number 98 without saying which test it comes from. Oman's petrol standard rates its two grades, 91 and 95, by RON and covers no 98 grade. If your manual specifies a RON figure above 95, ask OOMCO before relying on ULTIMAX to meet it. **Where do I find the fuel grade my car needs?** In the owner's manual, which Shell Oman also advises checking, or by asking the manufacturer or its dealer. On some cars, such as Mercedes-Benz models, the required octane is also shown on a label inside the fuel filler flap. --- ## Related Otto Explanations - What Is Octane Rating, and Does Higher Octane Mean More Power?: https://autotronix.om/otto/octane-rating-explained - Why Is My Engine Knocking?: https://autotronix.om/otto/engine-knocking-noise - Driving Habits That Can Damage Your Engine: https://autotronix.om/otto/driving-habits-that-damage-your-engine --- ## Related Services - Engine Repairs: https://autotronix.om/garage/engine-repairs - Advanced Car Diagnostics: https://autotronix.om/lab/advanced-diagnostics --- ## Book a Service WhatsApp: +968 9966 8600 https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=96899668600&type=phone_number&app_absent=0 Location: Mabellah Industrial, Street 7, Muscat — Saturday to Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM