98 Octane Fuels - what do you use?

[Celestine]

The current tank of fuel I'm using is BP's Ultimate. I usually fill my vehicle up with Shell V-Power. I have discovered that the engine running the BP Ultimate fuel has a slower response and is extremely inefficient compared to the Shell V-Power. On a normal tank, I usually get 500km's out of a full tank, and about 250km's on half. At the moment with the BP Ultimate, I've gone through half a tank and its only on about 190km's. Furthermore, my car seems to run quieter.

There hasnt been abnormal use, overloading, or overkill use of the AC or being stuck in traffic. Is there a logical reason?

What are other people's feedback on other brands of fuel?

[Blitzen]

I use BP Ultimate,(only because I have a BP fuel card), and I'm getting about 490 to 520 out of a tank before the light comes on....am averaging about 8 liters to the hundred driving around...I'm not exactly fair on my accelerator either...

[572]

Only Shell V-Power, can't comment compared to other brands because it's all I've ever used! Average 8.4L/100km to work during the week and 7.6L/100km highway. Usually 460-500km's from a tank.

[VW GTI]

Wow, I'm getting terrible consumption by the looks.

I only ever use Shell V-Power. Getting about 350kms to a tank. Averaging 12L/100km over my 2300kms so far.

[NickZ]

Until recently Shell V Power, but at the moment with the fuel shortage BP Ultimate. Depending on where I drive, I can range between 7.2l (such as last night around midnight driving 30km or so) or 10.0l (in a mix of heavy and light traffic in peak hour) or up to 13.0l (when traffic is completely stuffed!!!)

[callen]

I have only ever used shell v power as I have a shell card. I have only had the car for just over a week and have only been getting about 13L/100km. Hopefully tis improves when te motor loosens up as I've only done 400km's so far.

[balkanac]

I use BP Ultimate, i dont think Shell V Power is available in Perth. I've alvays used BP Ultimate on all my cars, i never had a car that takes anything else than close to 100 octane fuel :)
I'd love to try shell if i can find it somewhere

[Flaps]

A bit less of the right foot and it should improve.

I always use BP Ultimate since it's so close to my house but I filled up on Saturday night with 41 litres of Vortex 98. I don't notice any difference.

[FL00DY]

You forgot the "I don't have a fuel card and my arse isn't sensitive enough to feel 2kw difference" :D

I put in whatever. I have more Shell's and Caltex around home so I tend to use that more, yet there is a BP near work that I also use a lot. Unless you have a fuel card for a particular kind of fuel or had a bad experience with a brand (water, metal, ripped off) I can't see why one brands is worse or better then another. I pretty much get the same km from whatever I use, and Pants Dyno 3000 isn't sensitive enough to pick up any difference in performance. I gave V-Power Racing a go at Wakefield the other day and still couldn't really feel a big difference.

[MissVuks]

At the moment im using Vortex 98 as it usually the cheapest in the area and is on route when driving home from work most days..

Im getting about 420km per tank and averaging between 9-10l/100km. I usually go 1.5 weeks between filling up but lately have been filling up every Tuesday for the sake of petrol being its cheapest - otherwise i get stuck on the weekend with fairly low levels of petrol and have to fork out over $1.50/l

[mazgtr]

The only way your car would gain performance from V-Power Raceing (100 Ron) is if your cars ECU is tuned for that fuel.

Otherwise it wont give you any gains.

In my Evo VI i did notice an improvement running the 100 octane fuel, buts thats because the car had a aftermarket Japanese ECU that was obviously intended for even higher octane Japanese fuel.

I have read previously that Shell use a lot more additives for their fuel than other brands.

A friend with a tuned Mazda GTX with an Apexi SAFC used to notice more knocks and slight detonation running Shell 98 as opposed to Mobil and Caltex.

[SoVeReIgN]

The only way your car would gain performance from V-Power Raceing (100 Ron) is if your cars ECU is tuned for that fuel.

Otherwise it wont give you any gains.

In my Evo VI i did notice an improvement running the 100 octane fuel, buts thats because the car had a aftermarket Japanese ECU that was obviously intended for even higher octane Japanese fuel.

I have read previously that Shell use a lot more additives for their fuel than other brands.

A friend with a tuned Mazda GTX with an Apexi SAFC used to notice more knocks and slight detonation running Shell 98 as opposed to Mobil and Caltex.

I beleive with the APR/GIAC etc tune there is still a little bit of leeway and the ECU will advance the timing further to suit 100ron?

Might also find a touch of knock sensor retardation when running a 98 tune on 98 fuel, 100ron will sort that out too

[mazgtr]

I know Timbo with his Revo tune, has several maps on his ECU.
One of which is a 100 Ron only tune.

I would still think the car would need to be re-tuned over the base 98tune to gain any real bennefits.

I know the ECU will retard performance when a lower octane fuel is used, but as to improveing performance by going from 98 to 100 i dont think so.

Must allready have a 100Ron tune map within your setup IMO.

[Sharkie]

Guy from APR told me long ago that you would see about 2kw & 2-3NM extra with V-Power Racing with the std flash, no extra tuning required.

In Brisbane near me its normally $145/l (and the price doesn't fluctuate) so when 98 V-Power is dear I use the Racing. When 98 is $130/l I use that.

I felt a bit extra power, but that might have been me just wishing it to be the case ... :)

I also believe the contents to "go off" due to the ethanol blend because if I don't use it all quickly it seems to noticably drop in power....

[mazgtr]

Yes, i also noticed a dip in power and sharpness in the cars perfromance once my tank of Shell V-Power Raceing started to age.

I only used my Evo at the weekends so it soon started to make the car feel a bit flat.

I then switched to Caltex 98 and found it regained that little extra edge.

With regards to the extra power on a chipped Polo with 100Ron, not so sure without a dedicated re-map for 100Ron. But if you go through a tank fairly quick and you dont mind paying a bit more, then it cant hurt....

[VW GTI]

In Brisbane near me its normally $145/l (and the price doesn't fluctuate) so when 98 V-Power is dear I use the Racing. When 98 is $130/l I use that.

I was about to ask where in Brisbane sells V-Power Racing, then I saw your $145/L :p

Seriously though, where is it in Brisbane?

[PeterHBne]

Shell at Bulimba (cnr oxford st and hawthorne rd) and Shell Milton on Coro Drive.

Price is usually $1.45 however I've noticed with prices these days it does go up from that.

Who would have thought 2 years ago we'd shrug our shoulders at $1.50 a litre for fuel? Madness.

I sometimes use V Power Racing and believe you can definately feel the diff. it feels more than 2%.

It is not economical though - I did a couple of economy runs with it and it is not as economical as 98 fuel - propensity to squeeze the go pedal aside.

[VW GTI]

I filled up tonight with V-Power at $1.48. If I'm ever out Coro drive way I'm gonna get some of the racing. See what it's like.

[OMGMK4]

I currently use Mobil 8000 & I seem to average 600kms a tank. I could possible do a bit more too, Im real happy with the way it runs. It gives me what i need when i ask for it. Tried BP ultimate for a couple of tanks seemed pretty flat to me just didnt have that pick up as the Mobil 8000. Been told to stay away from Caltex! Tried it once, boy was it smelly!. Not got around to the Shell Vpower 100 as yet but sort of tempted to give it a go when i see it Just waiting for this tank to drop down a bit, on just under half tank & sitting on 315kms. So i reckon im doing ok & by no means do i get around like a old lady on pension day!

[Sharkie]

Brisbane Nth side.

Shell in Albany Creek (Old Northern Rd) and Shell on Sandgate Rd in Virginia both have it.

[VW GTI]

Shell in Albany Creek (Old Northern Rd) and Shell on Sandgate Rd in Virginia both have it.

I am going to the Sandgate Rd one for my next tank, I drive on it every day to work but turn off just before Virginia. Could be worth the detour.

[PetePoloGTI]

I've always used BP Ultimate... my GTI is chipped and I am getting around 11-12L/100km - Currently used half a tank gone 180km's.

Is there anyway of finding out what chip I have or how it has been tuned?? Bought the car second-hand, Dealer never found me the receipts for the chip and the exhaust...

[NickZ]

I've always used BP Ultimate... my GTI is chipped and I am getting around 11-12L/100km - Currently used half a tank gone 180km's.

Is there anyway of finding out what chip I have or how it has been tuned?? Bought the car second-hand, Dealer never found me the receipts for the chip and the exhaust...

Thats quite a bit of fuel, however if you drive with a constant lead foot (and I mean constant - I drive fairly hard but still manage to be more fuel efficient) or you drive in very heavy peak hour constantly with A/C on then you would average that.

No idea about the chip ... maybe VAG-COM?

[VW GTI]

with A/C on then you would average that.

Ahh yeah, I average 12L/100k and I always have the AC on (cos my last car didn't have it, I'm addicted.

Lead foot when not in traffic, otherwise I'm crawling. :(

[Blitzen]

At least your A/C works!!! I get between 8 and 9 Liters to the 100 around here...but I do love to give it a good squirt.

[Blitzen]

I'm on BP Ultimate all the time, but I have a fuel card, so it isn't a bad thing.

[VW GTI]

Next time I fill up with normal premium (plan on getting vpower racing next) I am going to try to use the entire tank conservatively with no AC on. 12L/100km is nuts, I used to have a Civic VEi getting 7.5L/100k when I was pushing it as hard as I could.

[GTIJNR]

My old A4 1.8NA ran better on shell v-power than BP, and even much better on v-power racing. However the shell didn't last too long in my polo. Its seem too like BP ultima much better, i'm at 300kms and half tank... and light came on at 500kms... normal driving btw. Shell also seem to lag the spool up a bit aswell.
So i draw out a conclusion that NA car ran ok on Shell and turbo stuff likes BP :D

[docjames]

BP Ultimate all the way, lots of pinging issues on Optimax/VPower. Was happy with some Vortex i tried recently.

Order of preference (no fuel cards)
1. BP Ultimate
2. Caltex Vortex 98
3. Mobil 8000
4. Shell VPower.