is premium petrol REALLY worth it ?

[donkarnash]

Hi,

I have heard people saying that permium petrol is better for the engine and also gives a better mileage and works out nearly the same as unleaded ? - is that true ??

some say that is a big scam for the petrol companies to make money. Because it contains more octane, it causes corrosion and that causes rust because of high humidity.

Also then there are people who say which premium petrol is best..like some say Mobile synergy is the best followed by shell permium and the caltex 98 is not even 98 but they market it as 98% octane.

[kvn]

..caltex 98 is not even 98 but they market it as 98% octane.

from what i know, there is Caltex Vortex and Caltex Vortex 98, which is the real 98RON fuel.
i only pour BP ultimate in my car, but if I'm desperate I'll pour Mobile or Caltex. I tend to steer clear from Shell.

As for whether its a scam, i'm not too sure, i've got an 04 model so i have to pour 98..

[scottymc]

I certainly used to notice the difference between fuels with my B4.

Had to use 98 RON only, and BP Ultimate was the best in my experience.

Had trouble with pinging with Shell and Caltex so stopped using them.

[BUDDAH]

I have 1/2 a tank of non 98% as I used the wrong fuel and the 3RB is running like a dog with brick up its ass

[swingn]

There are lots of rumours flying around about the different petrol brands etc.

In all my cars (Even my 1834cc Lancer Coupe!) I've run 98. I've always found that it kept the car running smoother & it did give me more km's per tank. I've got an MY06 (EJ20T) so I have to run 98. I know the EJ25T's can run 95, so it all really comes down to how much money you want to spend at the servo. Personally 98 is all I would run.

In terms of the different brands, everyone has their own opinion. I run V-Power & have been happy. But I did find running BP or Mobile made my car feel slightly smoother, but that was about it.

A few years back, a car mag did a dyno test with a WRX (In the UK) & found that Shell actually gave the most power - Food for thought really...

[MIB]

I find diesel is the best in mine, that 'processed' unleaded is over rated.

[ultrablue]

i have tried e10 in mine big drop in top end power but i use v racing normaly

[swingn]

I find diesel is the best in mine, that 'processed' unleaded is over rated.

[deucer]

Yes it's for real... Higher RON fuels will make your engine run cleaner.... but how much additional power and mileage DEPENDS on;
(i) how your cars engine is tuned
(ii) how you drive it.

EG: most unleaded petrol cars are tuned to run on 91RON fuel. The 3RB requires a minimum of 95RON. All recent model cars (ie: about last 10 years) with on-board computers and electronic fuel injection have their on-board computers programmed to learn from the engine's knock sensors... so a car that can quickly learn it's running a higher octane fuel (eg: 98RON) will quickly re-map the timing to exploit this. The result will be improved power and fuel economy, assuming you don't hammer it!

Generally speaking, performance 'oriented' cars will be more finely tuned to exploit the higher RON fuels.

I see a 1l to 2l/100km improvement in fuel economy by using 98RON over 95. The Lib learns pretty quickly.

My father has demonstrated the same improvement in his '02 supercharged Calais using 95RON (manufacturer recommends 95RON). My mate with a GXL Prado finds the same result over time with 95RON (manufacturer recommends 91RON)... but the Prado takes a couple of tanks to re-map.

Each of the fuel manufacturers comes to the same result (boosted RON) by different means. Some use aromatics... other use different methods (starting to test the limit of my memory on all this now). In the old days, we used Lead to boost octane ratings..... not so fashionable anymore! SUPER Leaded fuel used to be about the equivalent of 99RON fuel if my memory serves. Going unleaded was a step backwards for performance/ efficiency... but a BIG improvement for your health!

I use Caltex Vortex 98 on every tank in the 3RB and regularly get average consumption of 10.5l to 11.5l/100km (70:30 City:Hwy ratio). That's not bad for a relatively thirsty flat six! Best ever achieved was 8.7l/100km (long trip, all Hwy). I like Caltex bacause it does the job and I can use my Woolies vouchers there.

People tend to have their favourites... I don't see any point getting all caught up in that. Suggest you experiment and find what represents the best value for you.

Cheers,
Deucer.

[jACE]

The octane rating is a measure of the resistance the fuel's tendency to detonation. The higher the octance rating, the less likely the chance of detonation and engine damage. You can increase the octane rating with those TEL (lead) additives but like a few guys on this forum, you tend to run into problems with the O2 sensors.

Ive found to get the best results from BP Ultimate, consistently getting down to 7.2 - 7.8 L/100km on most highway drives.

[deucer]

Ive found to get the best results from BP Ultimate, consistently getting down to 7.2 - 7.8 L/100km on most highway drives.

On what engine jACE? 2.5i?

Cheers,
Deucer.

[donkarnash]

ok, thanks a lot for everyone who replied.

I have a MY05 2.5i manual Lib which has done less than 30000 Kms.

I haev just got the 30000 Ks service done and changed the fluids

should I be using 98 petrol ????

[sooobi]

no..

if you read into the above, you have a 95RON loving car..

If you want to use 98 buy a turbo.

[jACE]

Ive found to get the best results from BP Ultimate, consistently getting down to 7.2 - 7.8 L/100km on most highway drives.

On what engine jACE? 2.5i?

Cheers,
Deucer.

Its only the 2.0 NA. Which is cool considering the bump in petrol prices. Get me around 700km of hwy driving. I bet everyone in sydney is loving the sudden petrol price drop!!! FILL UP EVERYTHING!

[donkarnash]

ok here we go again...

so who/which company has the best 95RON fuel ??

no..

if you read into the above, you have a 95RON loving car..

If you want to use 98 buy a turbo.