Options when Super Unleaded is unavailable

Simon · 9 Feb 2013 at 22:15

I really CBA as I've spent all day decorating. But soon I will be forced to take a photo of my fuel cap.

olv · 9 Feb 2013 at 22:56

Brookert said:
My car feels as flat as pancake on 95 ron. Put a tank of 99 ron in, and within a few miles the timing has shifted forward and the top end power is much better, and mpg goes up a little too.

Mine runs absolutely fine on 95, I would expect it to be pickier being a higher state of tune.

Surely all modern mass produced cars are built to within such a massive margain of error that they'll run on any fuel, with regular UK 95 Ron being at the higher end fuel spectrum?

Brookert · 10 Feb 2013 at 00:43

olv said:
Mine runs absolutely fine on 95, I would expect it to be pickier being a higher state of tune.

Surely all modern mass produced cars are built to within such a massive margain of error that they'll run on any fuel, with regular UK 95 Ron being at the higher end fuel spectrum?

The 1.8t 240/225ps versions have quite high compression, so they need a higher ron fuel to avoid pinking. If they are run on 95, the timing is reduced to avoid pinking, so you won't get the full potential out of it, but it will run just fine.

-Ad- · 10 Feb 2013 at 08:39

Funny thread is funny.

I still feed my B18 Sainsburys 97, never had a problem. But after our Tour d-Ecosse last year and being forced to use 95 during fill ups, I can't say I noticed much difference in the car for the remainder of the trip, she felt great.

But once back in Aberdeen she really didn't seem very happy when commuting in traffic, coughing and spluttering a little and just feeling a bit crap. Hard to explan, but after driving the same route for a year it was noticeable.

Right, wrong, opinions and facts don't bother me wither way, I stick with the cheapest 97 fuel in Abz in a car that costs very little to run. I've got more important things to do with my time than playing around and testing fuels

dessimpson · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:30

Why are people saying it'll be fine as it has a knock sensor?

For the sensor to detect knock then there has to be knock. At which point, the damage is already being done.

Simon · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:34

Because the knock sensor can detect more than knock

pugheaven · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:37

Only option is Octane Booster (I've used redex), simple as that. However, not sure why you can't get hold of Super, every BP garage I go to has it, Shell has VPower (which I only use in the RX8)... a lot of supermarkets now have SUL not sure why you have a problem. You live out in the sticks I assume?

When I ran some 1/4 mile times in the 205 years ago I used Octane Booster in mine... there is a difference in 95 and 99+ ron fuel, however for me, you'll only notice in tuned cars, turbo's and high reving engines i.e. mine and VTEC... bog standard cars, I've not noticed any difference apart from MPG.

Kenai · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:40

pugheaven said:
However, not sure why you can't get hold of Super, every BP garage I go to has it, Shell has VPower (which I only use in the RX8)... not sure why you have a problem. You live out in the sticks?

Would it really be so difficult to just read the thread?

pugheaven · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:44

Kenai said:
Would it really be so difficult to just read the thread?

I scanned through it and didn't see a reference as to why. Christ almighty, usual forum **** again. Bye.

Amoeba · 10 Feb 2013 at 10:58

Think the reference was in the OP... which has since been deleted. Helpful ey??

olv · 10 Feb 2013 at 12:48

Brookert said:
The 1.8t 240/225ps versions have quite high compression, so they need a higher ron fuel to avoid pinking. If they are run on 95, the timing is reduced to avoid pinking, so you won't get the full potential out of it, but it will run just fine.

I'd be interested to see what the power difference actually is. I'd be amazed if it was more than a few bhups. Didn't 5th gear do a test a few years ago and it was about 5bhp on a mk5 GTI?

Scottland · 10 Feb 2013 at 13:02

Jumping on the "My S2000 runs absolutely fine on normal 95RON unleaded" bandwagon.

I do fill up with Super when I can, I did use normal for a few weeks and didn't notice any difference to be honest - certainly not a bag of spanners.

Brookert · 10 Feb 2013 at 13:10

olv said:
I'd be interested to see what the power difference actually is. I'd be amazed if it was more than a few bhups. Didn't 5th gear do a test a few years ago and it was about 5bhp on a mk5 GTI?

yea it's not like 95 = 150bhp and 98+ = millions

Not sure what the actual numbers would be on our engine, but I can put my house on the timing corrections being much lower on 99 ron fuel compared to 95. Power wise, anything less than 10bhp and I bet you wouldn't feel it.

Kenai · 10 Feb 2013 at 13:12

Amoeba said:
Think the reference was in the OP... which has since been deleted. Helpful ey??

It has been hinted at by the OP and further clarified by others in the thread since the opening post. I don't understand why people find it so difficult to just read something rather than throw a little tantrum because they're asking things that are already answered.

Lord-Jaffa · 10 Feb 2013 at 13:33

I noticed absolutely no difference at all using 95 in my old S2000.

Matt82 · 10 Feb 2013 at 14:06

olv said:
I'd be interested to see what the power difference actually is. I'd be amazed if it was more than a few bhups. Didn't 5th gear do a test a few years ago and it was about 5bhp on a mk5 GTI?

It'll be a big lump of torque missing in the middle

acemastr · 10 Feb 2013 at 14:09

My HONDA bike has a compression ratio of 12.1... which is far and away higher than yours and SUL makes absolutely no difference at all, same as my car, which suggests 98ron on the fuel cap, it makes no difference. If your car is smoother on SUL then it's most likely predetonating on 95 and is going to blow up.

Brookert · 10 Feb 2013 at 14:13

acemastr said:
My HONDA bike has a compression ratio of 12.1... which is far and away higher than yours and SUL makes absolutely no difference at all, same as my car, which suggests 98ron on the fuel cap, it makes no difference. If your car is smoother on SUL then it's most likely predetonating on 95 and is going to blow up.

So you've read the diagnostic data of the bike and car and can categorically say that super unleaded is a load of rubbish, and the petrol and engine manufacturers have no idea what they are on about :rolleyes:

dessimpson · 10 Feb 2013 at 14:24

Simon said:
Because the knock sensor can detect more than knock

Enlighten me then. What else can it detect?

Simon · 10 Feb 2013 at 15:00

acemastr said:
My HONDA bike has a compression ratio of 12.1... which is far and away higher than yours and SUL makes absolutely no difference at all, same as my car, which suggests 98ron on the fuel cap, it makes no difference. If your car is smoother on SUL then it's most likely predetonating on 95 and is going to blow up.

Bike engines typically a shorter stroke so it's very hard to get them to pre ignite