At the moment, I "must" use super unleaded because I got the car chipped soon after I bought it.

But - I am seriously considering having this removed at the service in May. If so, I could return to plain old unleaded. And I seem to remember posts from Adrian saying there was no point using super unleaded on a stock engine.

So - what do people use? Normal 95, Super or Optimax?

 

I now use Optimax in all our cars (964, Audi 1.8T, VW V5) - the improved economy pretty much covers the extra cost, so the other benefits are free. All the cars seem to run better on it as well (smoother, slightly improved throttle response). It helps that my nearest petrol station is Shell, and the alternative is Sainsbury's.

 

Always 95ron , but never from supermarkets.

I tried optimax on a single tank and didn't notice much difference except that the car seemed to run a bit quieter and felt a bit 'strangled' hard to describe really.

I don't know if my car is chipped or not, but I was told that it has a cat bypass.

Might give it another go as that was a few years ago.

 

normal 95, but not supermarkets...

 

Normal 95 Ron too. It's what the factory recommends, so that's good enough for me. Never supermarkets - normally BP 'cause I've got a points card!!

 

Hmm - even though I do user Super, it's nearly always from supermarkets!

 

The highest octane I can get... Usually 93 Octane... (Shell/Texaco or Exxon) Then I throw in a can of octane booster for good measure... And a can of injector cleaner about every 2- 3 tanks.

 

95 Octane (normal) and 99% of the time from Shell.

I've noticed that it runs OK on supermarket stuff, but always does 30-50 miles less per tankful.

Surely petrol should be better regulated than this!

 

BP 95octane .

 

OK - so I have to ask.

Exactly what am I doing to my car by using supermarket fuel? In the past I tried Tesco - and it definitely didn't like it. But it's always seemed perfectly happy on Sainsbury - and since there is one on the way out of town (which is also on the way to work) it's just soooo easy.......

 

Dave,

They normally buy the cheaper fuel, which may not be as good for your engines when compared to the likes of Shell/BP/Esso fuels etc.

Andy

 

I use 100 octane race gas {the US version (RON+MON)/2} because my car has a chip that requires 98. It costs about what you Brits pay for normal gas: $5.80ish per gallon.

 

I believe it also has to do with additives, or lack of them. Or lack of quality of additives...to ensure clean combustion etc...

 

Shell or Esso, nothing else.

Been there done that, Tesco's had to withdraw claims about their fuels some years ago after they were found not to contain the additives that regular petrol companies use, since then I really try to avoid the low rent stuff.

you pays your money and takes your choice.......

kevin.

 

Hmm - OK. Perhaps I shall start making a small detour to proper petrol companies then.

I must admit - when I had the crap 4x4 diesel thing, I tried BP's umtimate diesel stuff. I expected no difference at all - but in fact, it was very noticeable and I started using it most of the time.

Regardless of whether I get the car "unchipped" I think I'll start using proper petrol. And will do that on the dull daily car as well - see if I can notice the difference. There has to be something that will make a Ford Focus a bit faster.......