Sceptics would find my statement difficult to swallow but there are no ‘bad’ fuels – modern combustibles in almost all markets does what it is supposed to do and help the engine to maintain performance – but some are certainly designed better than others.

Shell’s new fuel with Dynaflex certainly fits this description, which the company claims is the result from extensive testing that involves over three million kilometres of travel using more than 250 cars.

So what is Dynaflex? Essentially, it is a friction-reducing formulation that starts to work the instance the engine is switched on. Considering that almost all components in the engine are highly-stressed that must endure high temperatures and incredible speed of motion, reducing friction gives major benefit; Even immediately.

This is what I experience when testing the new Shell fuel with Dynaflex recently. In order to get the best comparison, I waited for a near empty tank before filling the Subaru Forester test vehicle with Shell V-Power 97. Yes, a bit more expensive but it just so happens that the two previous tankfuls had been RON97 too.

The difference was minute, but it was there; a smoother power delivery was definitely there. It goes well with the already creamy power buildup that the Forester is known for. Apparently, the V-Power 97 has three times more friction-reducing molecules compared to the Shell FuelSave 95, the latter already with 20 percent more friction-reducing molecules than before.

The advantage of reduced friction goes a bit further than just that; it in fact makes the vehicle quieter too. This is not something one can instantly notice but over a longer drive – the one I made to Port Dickson is enough, in fact – it makes for a calmer drive that tires the driver less.

However, it does not appear that there are any outright performance improvements, or if there are, it’s not apparent just from feel alone.

It’s also quite premature to consider whether the fuel has lower consumption benefit from just a tankful of use. But I noticed that the smoother power delivery encouraged an even more deliberate use of the throttle from my side, which should improve fuel consumption. Not quite the direct benefit one can hope for but as mentioned just before, it’s difficult to say from just a tankful of use.

Dynaflex technology is implemented to all of Shell’s fuels, including FuelSave 95, and V-Power Racing (for petrol), and FuelSave Diesel as well as FuelSave Diesel Euro 5.