GTI fuel rating (95 RON)

[mike.]

Here is the MK6 one which basically says, whatever it says on the fuel lid.
In the bottom right it then states, any higher octane will have no effect on performance or economy.

[JoeGTI]

Right, I looked through the MK7 GTI manual and I couldn't find any table like the above in it. All I found was this:



And inside the fuel flap:

[Hawaii-Five-O]

And inside the fuel flap:

Nice work Joe. That's all the proof we need. 95RON it is (using 98 or 99 will offer no advantage in terms of fuel economy or engine output).

Nuff said.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Cheers Joe. That's all the proof we need. 95RON it is!

Unfortunately not for a few reasons:

1. How would you reconcile this with tests showing mpg or power improvements?  Obviously the mk7 GTI has not been tested... so you might reconcile it that way.

2. Frankly this should be viewed as a disclaimer put into (all?) manuals, rather than a definitive engineering comment.  Looking at this realistically, who even writes the manuals and how concerned would that person be with ensuring that they have up to date accurate information on the effect of a wide range of available premium fuels, vs not getting sued for making false claims?  What would you do in this situation, copy the safe statement from the mk6 manual or refuse to sign off on anything until a comprehensive test was done on a range of premium fuels?  I don't think we can consider this to be a comment on high octane because that is not its purpose so it would be wrong and misleading to look at it like that.

3. There are other (advertised) benefits than mpg or power.

I remain unconvinced that the high octane fuels will be benefit to the mk7 GTI, it just hasn't been proven, but there has been no convincing argument to say they would not have any benefit thus far either!  However, given this situation I'm leaning toward sticking with 95 rather than my previous thought to go with a premium brand, but I'm not 100% decided either way yet.  I wish I could do a real world test myself... but that would be only one data point.

[JoeGTI]

Once again, perhaps best not to over-think it - I know that's difficult for you guys waiting 6 months for your cars 

I ran a MKV GTI for 4 years and only ever used 95 RON (mainly cos that's all you can get here). The car never missed a beat and never felt lacking in performance. Actually, on a trip north, I did fill it with "premium" and noticed no difference whatsoever.

[Johnc41]

At last all the prove that we need from vw stating what most of us were talking about. Glad it is cleared up Joe. 95 Ron as the tin says

[Bill_the_Bear]

At last all the prove that we need from vw stating what most of us were talking about. Glad it is cleared up Joe. 95 Ron as the tin says

Dude, you've stated your opinion very firmly and if you want to pick a piece of evidence that you interpret as supporting your view and then to consider it the last word in confirmation that your view is right then that is up to you.  Its bloody bad science and awful logic mind you, but if that's what makes you happy...  Make the theory fit the facts, not the facts to fit the theory.

Joe, you're probably right about taking this too seriously.

[Johnc41]

At last all the prove that we need from vw stating what most of us were talking about. Glad it is cleared up Joe. 95 Ron as the tin says

Dude, you've stated your opinion very firmly and if you want to pick a piece of evidence that you interpret as supporting your view and then to consider it the last word in confirmation that your view is right then that is up to you.  Its bloody bad science and awful logic mind you, but if that's what makes you happy...  Make the theory fit the facts, not the facts to fit the theory.



Joe, you're probably right about taking this too seriously.

No disrespect Bill but having done my own tests over the last 10years regarding this topic I make my judgement on what I find not on science. And the fact that vw make the car in the first place, I am more likely to believe what they are telling me as to regards of what fuel I put in my car. I have always been a firm believer that unless your car asks for 98 then it is ridiculous to put it in your car in the first place. And yes it is just my opinion

[david25]

Right, I looked through the MK7 GTI manual and I couldn't find any table like the above in it. All I found was this:

And inside the fuel flap:

Thanks Joe, my pic came from a separate booklet called technical data, does the MK7 one, it looks like this;

[JoeGTI]

There is no separate booklet. I have one thick manual and just 2 smaller booklets for Service schedule and the Radio / Nav.