High octane fuel

[jdas03]

Hi,
Having a discussion with a friend of mine who has a fiesta st, I was saying that I use high octane fuel (normaly shell) and it does make a difference to the performance - to me the car feels more responsive. I could how ever be thinking this even though there is no effect.

My friend was saying there won't be any effect on performance as majority of cars including his st and my s3 are optimised for standard fuel and in order to make any difference the ECU must be mapped to make use of higher octane fuel.

What's the truth here, and how does higher octane give more power in standard cars? I don't want to be spending more on a fuel that realistically makes no difference, even though in my mind I think I feel a difference?!

 

[Scottynic]

Higher octane fuel has been proven to help improve engine performance.

Nothing to do with audi but

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/October_2008_Fuel_Test_Report.shtml

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/Fuel_Test_Results_Update.shtml

 

[LordNelson]

i currently have a tank of the Tesco 99 (first time i have used it). dont know why but my car doesnt seem to be as punchy as when run on V-Power (and where i live, the V_power is cheaper). might be an underlying problem i have with another part of the car. but i dont think il be going out of my way to buy Tesco again. Just my opinion though.

Really need to get VAG-COM working and learn how to log the cars performance

 

[Dansmith]

I tend to get more MPG on higher octane fuels also so the cost works out about the same!

Personally can't tell the difference in how my car runs with any super unleaded fuel. I tend to use sainsburys just cos there super is about 5p a litre cheaper by me! Got a shell garage over the road and use the V power occasionally but I can't tell the difference between to 2.

 

[dragonstyle]

to be honest i dont see any difference, i just use the normal fuel and i dont see any difference in mpg

 

[Scottynic]

I used Asda stuff the other day, mpg went down to 26 and my car runs a little "rough" . When using V power my mpg 30ish and it runs smooth.

Apparently BP 97 is made purely from hydrocarbons meaning it is genuine 97 RON. Where as Tesco 99 is made buy using additives to give an almost false 99 RON.

Supermarkets basically buy fuel from the cheapest source so the tank of fuel could be a mix of fuel from different manufacturers.

 

[chris_marshall]

I used Asda stuff the other day, mpg went down to 26 and my car runs a little "rough" . When using V power my mpg 30ish and it runs smooth.

Apparently BP 97 is made purely from hydrocarbons meaning it is genuine 97 RON. Where as Tesco 99 is made buy using additives to give an almost false 99 RON.

Supermarkets basically buy fuel from the cheapest source so the tank of fuel could be a mix of fuel from different manufacturers.

Trust me it wont just be hydrocarbons, it would be a ron of about 85 with out the additives.

Regards
Chris

 

[Nilz]

Always used V power, seen a good increase on my MPG when compared to normal unleaded and also the car seems to be more responsive.

I can probably notice the MPG increase more due to M-Way driving compared to round town.

 

[S3 Rav]

i noticed an improvement using v power over bp ultimate let along comparing v power to norml petrol. smoother, better response and better mpg

 

[Mr.Blonde]

They did a test on this on 5th Gear and Shell petrol does inmprove your mpg and bhp,only by a little tho.

 

[S3 Rav]

yea saw that, depending on what sort of car you had impacted on the gains you got. what was interesting was the improvements of torque in the subaru when complaring the petrol vs vpower

 

[Sandip]

I have tried many, always go back to v-power though, gives better mpg and a good punch.

 

[[Dave B]]

My car is specifically mapped for v-power, therefore it's the only fuel I put in!

 

[thegoal007]

I think the main reason for using super is the effect it has on keeping the engine clean and running sweet. So to all those who do not notice any mpg or power improvements rest assured your engine internals will be clean and last longer.

I personally don't use super - call me a smoker !

 

[ianysm]

Its personal choice i guess. Those who are price conscious and those that are performance conscious.

Its been proven in increases power and is noticeable on the road. Those that can't notice it aren't trying hard enough or don't want to notice it!

I never use normal 95 but various brands of super depending on location. I prefer Tesco 99 or V power though!

 

[Broken Byzan]

The power output is rated on the 1.8T using 98 RON fuel with less power and therfore economy with 95 RON.

Some normal cars are designed to run on 95 and sticking 98 in can have little or no effect

 

[ianysm]

Those will be non-performance cars though which i'd understand wouldn't benefit from super!

 

[mattyboy199]

i always use 95ron & am pretty used to how the car behaves when using it, i put some ultimate in & was quite impressed with the difference / results.

 

[Welly]

Apparently BP 97 is made purely from hydrocarbons meaning it is genuine 97 RON. Where as Tesco 99 is made buy using additives to give an almost false 99 RON.

Supermarkets basically buy fuel from the cheapest source so the tank of fuel could be a mix of fuel from different manufacturers.

Might be of interest about Tesco fuel - not from different manufacturers at all.... http://www.petrolprices.com/greenergy.html

I use Tesco 99 and V Power and defo can tell the difference when giving it beans. And I get more MPG, plus it produces a cleaner burn... so I always give it the thumbs up... :thumbsup:

 

[Pooch121]

Supermarkets basically buy fuel from the cheapest source so the tank of fuel could be a mix of fuel from different manufacturers.

Working for one of the 'big 5' (shell/bp/esso/total/texaco) I can tell you that this is true.. they load base product and their own additives are normally injected when loaded on the truck. The same with their super..

 

[Biggied]

V-power & Tesco 99 defo make a differance, If you run it all the time the ECU will adapt to the higher octane rating, if you let this happen then switch back to supermarket 95 most drivers will notice a differance.

On alot of cars its advised to used super,normal 95 can be used but to expect a loss of beans.

I know from experience that Audi FSI engines don't like 95 ron one bit, not some much the newer ones where FSI is nothing more than direct injection but the original TRUE lean burn FSI engines were only happy when sipping on the good stuff.

Ewan.

 

[The Doctor]

I've used Shell Optimax/V-power fuel for years now and have always noticed a difference vs standard 95 RON fuel. I did switch to BP Ultimate for a period of time, but to be honest I never found it as good. Car just feels more "sprightly" / "whizzy" on the V-power, along with the mpg/engine benefits.

Why have a performance car & then bung fuel in it that reduces the performance?

I never use supermarket fuels, but am having trouble convincing the Mrs of this...

Then again she never uses supermarket brand shampoo and is having trouble convincing me of that!

 

[Essflee]

My car is specifically mapped for v-power, therefore it's the only fuel I put in!

Same here, good old Mike