Every oil company will tell you that their fuels are all the better because of the special additive they add to them. And so it goes.
While they are duking it out among themselves for market share, Chevron Malaysia included, a twist on the "my-additive-is-so-much-better" mantra is now applied to diesel instead of petrol.
This time, Chevron Malaysia is saying that its Caltex Diesel with Techron D aids in cleaner engines for improved performance.
Its research findings indicated that fuel injectors using Caltex diesel were 47% cleaner than those using the base diesel without an additive.
Engeler speaking about the benefits of using Caltex diesel.
Its engine tests also claimed 6% more power as a result of better injector deposit control. It also promised corrosion protection and produced 83% less foam and faster foam collapse time for faster refuelling.
However, the more interesting news to come out of Chevron Malaysia's media briefing on its product in Kuala Lumpur last Friday was its statement on how well its additive works with biodiesel that will be made available to the public from next year.
According to Chevron engineer Greg Engeler, B5 biodiesel works with its additive to exceed Original Equipment Manufacturers’ minimum injector cleanliness standards by more than 200%, improves injector flow by over 120%, protects against corrosion, and greatly reduces foam collapse time.
B5 is a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% fossil fuel diesel.
While admitting that B5 biodiesel is more difficult to treat than conventional diesel, Engeler said the use of Techron D "produces dramatic improvements that provide cleaning power and reduced foaming."
The blending of biodiesel will result in higher cost of production, leading to the possibility that pump diesel may be sold at 4.5 sen more per litre.
However, The Star report last November pointed out that the government may backtrack on its B5 biodiesel programme, opting instead to use only 3% biodiesel.
This is because of the poor take-up rate by its initial target group - the diesel-powered government vehicles in the Klang Valley.
