[SuhasSalavathsa]

I drive a Škoda Kushaq 1.5 Manual 2023. When reading the owners manual I read that 95 octane petrol is the recommended standard. I usually used to fill up XP95 from Indian oil, but truth be told, I couldn't find any differences compared to the regular petrol. I felt like trying Shell petrol which is 91 octane and happen to see some difference in the overall refinement and mileage of the vehicle.
I experience very bad behaviour from Indian oil petrol pump attendants treating customer very unprofessionally usually at all the stations. They aren't as professional as shell. Below are some of the pointers which I identified,

1. Usually start rushing as soon as you enter the station, from the point you start loading fuel till you pay and move on. They make it so overhead on the customer and rush crazy.

2. Very bad in managing vehicles, they don't guide customers on which pump to fill, and make the customer adjust by calling to other pumps and shift the spots.

3. Lack of technical knowledge on basics like octane number, density, etc

4. I observed usually 1 in 100 pumps have Air facility, I notice most of the pumps don't have Air filling equipment working even.

Seeking your suggestions and recommendations 🙂

[agambhandari]

Please try Jio pumps if available nearby. I'm very happy with Jio Petrol in my Polo GT TSI, it's as good as XP95 (and most batches are 95 octane as per the Regional sales head i asked). And the best part is, it costs the same as regular petrol from Govt oil companies.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by SuhasSalavathsa

I experience very bad behaviour from Indian oil petrol pump attendants treating customer very unprofessionally

Except one bunk on OMR in Chennai, I've had rotten experiences at IOCL bunks across the country. My suggestion is to fill up regular unleaded from a popular BPCL bunk and dose with Proctane Evo. I've used this product only once and the benefit is evident from the second tank fill. Anything around 0.5% per liter should suffice.

Originally Posted by agambhandari

I'm very happy with Jio Petrol in my Polo GT TSI

It's been ages since I tried Reliance motor spirit; no harm trying them once. They have the most modern refinery in India. Long ago, when they started retail sales, I filled Reliance motor spirit a few times while in GJ, from a retail outlet close to one of their manufacturing locations, but was just not satisfied with the vehicles' performance, hence stopped using Reliance motor spirit.

In other states, I presume they source fuel from the closest storage facilities, so I guess it's the same brew from PSU refinery. I've used JioBP diesel many times and am satisfied with that. One more point - staff at JioBP outlets are rather lethargic.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by SuhasSalavathsa

1. Usually start rushing as soon as you enter the station, from the point you start loading fuel till you pay and move on. They make it so overhead on the customer and rush crazy.
2. Very bad in managing vehicles, they don't guide customers on which pump to fill, and make the customer adjust by calling to other pumps and shift the spots.
3. Lack of technical knowledge on basics like octane number, density, etc
4. I observed usually 1 in 100 pumps have Air facility, I notice most of the pumps don't have Air filling equipment working even.

I'm afraid you are conflating unrelated issues. My responses follow:

1. Ignore their 'rushing'. Go at your own pace, else just drive away to the next one.
2. XP95 is stored in a separate tank usually linked to clearly identifiable dispensers. Memorize which bunk has XP95 in which dispenser.
3. Little far-fetched for them to genuinely know - you can ask to formally check the same with the test kit + ask for the batch invoice from the manager.
4. Buy an air compressor with a genuine pressure gauge for your personal use.

Overall, identify a few reputed bunks on your route(s) and stick to them. The most preferred ones are the Company-Owner-Company-Operated (COCO) ones. Download a list of them from the IOCL website or app.

[thanixravindran]

HP has Power95 which is equivalent to IOCL XP95. Please find a suitable HP Petrol pump that dispenses Power95 and become a regular there. HP is any day better as I always find IOCL fuel quality is poor as well attendant malpractices are rampant except their COCO pumps.