Premium Unleaded Petrol

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 13:58
ThreadID: 11925 Views:4246 Replies:10 FollowUps:2
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Can anyone tell me whether premium unleaded petrol is worth the extra cost when it comes to mileage for a 4WD towing a caravan. If so why is it so

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Reply By: Rick Blaine - Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 15:43

Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 15:43
Its all to do with the octane rating that you have your engine timed for. The compression ratio also has to be higher than than standard to get any benifit which is why if your head has been shaved hi octane fuel gives good results.. personnally I dont believe that you will gain much, but having said that why not try a tankfull & see what happens? but be a little clinical & take some measurements before & after so you can work out any difference.
AnswerID: 53696

Reply By: Ian Bee - Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 15:53

Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 15:53
As for a Non Technical answer..............

I believe it is marginally better in my Honda HRV. Just seems to give it just that slight bit extra sting. My son ( Adel Uni ) tells me it will burns ever so slightly faster, but not all engines can take advantage of this apparently.

As for the saving in mileage against the extra cost........... I wouldn't have a clue............probably down to the wire if anything. I use it because it seems that I am not having to work my motor as hard, and the handbook did say to use a higher octane fuel.

There you go, I have been of absolutely no help at all!!!!

Ian BEE
AnswerID: 53698

Reply By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 17:03

Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 17:03
The bosses Subaru goes better on it or so she tells me, but I don't know as she wont let me drive it.
AnswerID: 53710

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 17:04

Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 17:04
It depends on who's premium you use. I had a jap import 250cc ULP bike and it ran great on BP 98. It would miss and idle rough on Caltex/Ampol Vortex and wouldn't even start on a cold day with Shell Premium.

Have a look at the fuel companies websites, they list octaine rating for their fuel there. Some of them are barey 2 ron higher than std!! Std is 90-91ron. Bp 98 is 98ron. Premiums range from 92-95 ron.

AnswerID: 53711

Reply By: Savvas - Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 21:33

Thursday, Apr 08, 2004 at 21:33
John,

What do you drive? It depends on whether your engine's management system uses knock sensors or ion sensors to determine the timimg.

Most newer models will get some advantage and the results will vary.

I have a 3.5 Jackaroo. It will make next to no difference around town, but it makes a huge difference out on the open road and when towing. A trip in January up and down the coast towing a fully enclosed U-Haul van saw upto a 20% difference in fuel consumption between ULP and Optimax 98.

This van wasn't heavy at all, probably 750-1000kg loaded up, but at 110km/h it towed like a parachute.
AnswerID: 53738

Reply By: Rojac - Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 08:02

Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 08:02
PULP has the same octane rating as LRP unless you get the priemium PULP like Shell Optimax which is a couple of ron more.
AnswerID: 53756

Reply By: uppy - Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 11:06

Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 11:06
Hi John ,Ive got a petrol patrol efi.We use pulp what i find is that the truck run better and give inceased milage and power .Sorry i dont know about towing regards uppy
AnswerID: 53763

Reply By: Jason (macca) - Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 21:55

Friday, Apr 09, 2004 at 21:55
John

I use shell optimax in my boat and in my commodore v8. Boat and car have the Gen III v8 5.7l. I can honestly say that I notice a huge difference in both the boat and car when using optimax. If I use standard unleaded, the boat runs like a dog. Apparently the Shell Optimax is one of the only true high density high octane fuels.

Jason
AnswerID: 53818

Reply By: vuduguru - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004 at 20:58

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004 at 20:58
JohnG,

I have a V8 Landcruiser and use Shell Optimax... at the recomendation of a friend (WRX) and i'd believe that I would get about 10% better torque and fuel consuption and close to that in power. Note that I have swapped back to LRP a couple of times. I think if you value performance, and the motor suits, the money is largely, if not totally recouped... Seat of the pants. I thinks worth trying. If it feels good... do it!..mmmmmmmmm

thripence worth
Regards Shane
AnswerID: 54254

Reply By: Member - Russell S - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004 at 23:04

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004 at 23:04
All fuels have basically the same energy in them
Difference is that higher RON will knock later, so you can advance the spark further and get more power etc before it knocks
If your engine can change its settings according to the fuel its fed, you'll get some improvement - or if you use a device like Unichip to piggyback on the standard computer.
Most engines can't take advantage, so most of the effect is in your head.....but if you think it works, use it!
AnswerID: 54294

Follow Up By: JohnG - Thursday, Apr 15, 2004 at 07:28

Thursday, Apr 15, 2004 at 07:28
Russell,

Have you used PULP in your Prado RV6 and if so did it make a difference ?

JohnG
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FollowupID: 315954

Follow Up By: Member - Russell S - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 at 08:13

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004 at 08:13
I got Bob Remano in Brisbane to fit a Unichip and a larger exhaust system, which we then tuned to take maximum advantage of Optimax-type high octane fuels. According to the dyno chart, I got an extra 10% power high in the rev range from the exhaust alone, and about 10% across the range due to the Unichip - about 20% overall at higher revs. I also got them to add a switch so that I can use standard unleaded if Optimax is not available, or if I want to save some money on fuel. The switch just knocks the tops off the peaks so the engine runs properly with the lower octane. When I go on a trip, I can fill up with Optimax and flick the switch.
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FollowupID: 317020

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