Info on fuel

[Cupra R 84]

Hi there everyone!
Jus wanted some advice on the fuel matter. I think I've made a big mistake in puttin morrisons unleaded in my LCR (shame on me)
After reading the thread on fuel posted a couple of weeks ago I started to worry! It says to use 98 octane fuel but i dont think morrisons is 98 i think its 95. What fuel is best? BP ultimate, Shell V Power or any other suggestions?

 

[RobM]

If you, as you say, have read the fuel thread you should already know the answer to that question! And the answer is.... impossible to answer.

The fuel thread is a clear indicator of the fact that there is no one best fuel. VPower and Tesco 99RON are the favourites but it still varies from one car and owner to the next. For instance, in my LCR there is a noticeable improvement when changing from VPower to Tesco 99RON, the car feels sharper, throttle response improves and it definitely has more kick to it.
But then the next LCR owner will say the opposite is true and VPower is the fuel of choice.

The ONLY way you will be able to answer your question is to try for yourself. Use 3 tanks of each to be fair as you never see the full changes and improvements on one tank alone. Do 3 of one type, then try the next, and so on. Then and only then will you know what works best in your car.

 

[Reg]

Don't panic. Ours only ever gets run on regular Shell 95, and its fine. If I was doing a trackday or something in it, I'd run it on 98 for a couple of tanks before and during (better because of higher engine temperatures and risk of pre-detenation), but while my missus is driving back and forth to work and I use it at the weekends, its not doing any harm at all. There is too much hype over this in my opinion.

 

[russbate]

I've only ever run on 95 and seems to run fine

 

[Jonny_Paul]

oh not again!!!

 

[andycupra]

lets stop this before it goes on and on:

Its ok to run it on 95 ron. You wont do any damage, do not panic.
The engine can and will adjust to the fuel you put in.
The LCR will safely run fuel of 95 ron upwards.

However, if you normally run 98 ron then the car may well feel less lively as it will have adapted to the better fuel. Then once you put 95 in the ecu will adjust timing to suit. (the safety systems in the ecu mean that it will adapt down much quicker than upwards).

Finally, many people report that running super gives them up to 30 miles more per tank. (something i also find) - which more than pays for the difference in price.

Therefore cost wise there isnt much in it. Up to you. my personal advice would be run super if you can get it reasonable cost.

If you do run super usually, you could run tank right down, then fill up with super and complete an ecu reset to help adaption back up along a bit quicker.

 

[RobM]

I work on the theory that VAG know a lot more about cars than any of us on this forum and they recommend using Super Unleaded to get the best performance and lifespan out of the car. And when, as mentioned above, you take into consideration the fact that using the correct fuel gets you better fuel economy it more than makes sense to use the fuel recommended.

Reg... as a professional car detailer you must read a lot of instructions about how to get the very best from the products you use, right? Do you ever decide to ignore those instructions and make your own mind up leaving an 'OK' finish to the car? Or do you follow the instructions to make sure you get the very best finish and results from all products used?

 

[traumapat]

it will start slowly. first the juddering acceleration ,then the oil smoke then BANG and its goodbye engine. all because of a few pennies!

only kidding. theres a sticker inside your fuel cap with 95-98 written on it iirc.

mine runs far better on v power tho. and it makes your engine clean and shiney.

if you do a search youll find a thread dedicated to this subject. with lots of friendly banter in it

 

[thermalp4]

I was often amused before when I read posts on using different fuel and that they could tell the difference as soon as they put 98ron in but I have to admit it does make a difference.

But what I would say is that if you have been running on low grade fuel/95ron, you wont instantly see the difference using Super/Vpower/OPtimax unitll at least 2 tanks worth I reckon.

I'm running mine at the moment on Tesco 99 (about 5 tanks worth) and I dont know whether its me but I fancy it ran better on the Texaco Super i was using before. Vpower is toon far away really whilst Tesco and Texaco are just up te street.

Anyone care to comment on Tesco 99?

 

[Reg]

I work on the theory that VAG know a lot more about cars than any of us on this forum and they recommend using Super Unleaded to get the best performance and lifespan out of the car. And when, as mentioned above, you take into consideration the fact that using the correct fuel gets you better fuel economy it more than makes sense to use the fuel recommended.

Reg... as a professional car detailer you must read a lot of instructions about how to get the very best from the products you use, right? Do you ever decide to ignore those instructions and make your own mind up leaving an 'OK' finish to the car? Or do you follow the instructions to make sure you get the very best finish and results from all products used?

A mix really Rob. Through experimenting you learn what works best with a given product. If the manufacturers suggest a way to do it (which they often don't with professional products) then you start with that. However, its always worth experimenting to see if you can get it that bit better, the finish a little more crisp or reflective.

I get the point your are making though, and if I thought there was any risk to my car or engine I wouldn't use 95 RON. But I have absolutely no doubt in my head that there is an issue using it, particularly with the way ours is driven for 95% of its life. The 20v Turbo engines are sophistcated enough to manage it (knock sensors etc), and through my experience with the VW Cup it proved just how robust they are!