Ethanol-blended fuel + GTI

[chronos]

Guys,

I've been running my GTI on Shell's V-Power (95 octane, I wish there's higher octane available tho) since December 2009 here in Bangkok, Thailand.  Now Shell is switching all their V-Power to ethanol-blended version which is also 95 octane.  I have not been able to get a confirmation if the GTI fuel system and engine mapping is compatible with this type of fuel.  V-Power and most other ethanol-blended fuel here has 10% ethanol (E10).  Having read the manual (section 3.3), it doesn't seem to say anything specific to the GTI and this type of fuel.

This narrows down my options to two:

1) Use the new V-Power (ethanol-blended, if it is compatible) and continue enjoying my company's Shell Fleet Card, or

2) Paying for my own fuel bill every month, which isn't that bad actually, and run the GTI on other brand's Super Unleaded 95 octane which is still available in some stations.


I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions on this issue, or even links to other sources of information.  Thank you.

[am1w]

Hi chronos,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your car.
95 RON in theory is fine but remember fuel degrades so the RON might be less.
You can increase the RON using an additive and the best one seems to be NF Octane booster.

Read the sites below:-

http://www.fueltechexperts.com/category/octane-boosters/

http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/

Hope this helps.

[chronos]

Thanks for your reply. 

I'm more concerned about the ethanol itself rather than the octane rating.  In some makes & models, the manufacturers state clearly whether or not the fuel systems are compatible with ethanol blended fuel.  In the GTI, however, I cannot find any conclusive information on this.

PS: BTW, I've been reading this forum for some time now.  It's a great place!

[pleethum]

I am also waiting for more information. I am using Ethanol-blended fuel since I received the car a month ago. I also live in Bangkok.

[JonnyG]

Do you mean BioEthanol ?

If so, Tesco 99 petrol here in the UK has 5% BioEthanol and I can confirm that the GTi (& R) engines run fine on this 

However I believe 5% is the maximum proportion here in Europe for normal engines, although there is debate on 10% :-

To stay within your warranty I suspect VW would advise on 5% max (seeing as VW's are produced in the EU)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline#Ethanol

http://www.verooom.com/base.php?p=are_bio_fuels_the_future_for_the_automotive_industry_part_two_bioethanol

http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/factsheets/bioethanol

http://www.envocare.co.uk/ethanol.htm