Premium Fuel

[martin998877]

Hi

I wondered how many of you use premium fuel? I usually use supermarket unleaded, but every couple of months I do a full tank of Shell VPower unleaded, mainly for its cleaning and detergent properties - I don't feel any difference in driving it or MPG.  With it's higher octane rating the engine will knock less so can have more advanced timing and more power, I guess is the theory. At £1.45 / l (compared to £1.22 / l at the cheapest supermarket) it would have to be quite a significant MPG gain to justify it.

What are your thoughts on the regular or occasional use of premium fuels?

[Brenbo]

I used to use Tesco Unleaded (95 octane). on my old Civic Type-R's, (which I have owned a fair few from new), and within months of owning a new car you would notice a difference in the engine noise where it would become more tinny and raspy.  Then when the Tesco momentum 99 octane came in to my local area I started using it and I noticed the engine was no longer becoming tinny or raspy over time, especially when i bought the next car which was also a new civic Type-R at the time with the same engine.

I have always used Tesco Momentum 99 on my Golfs (GTI PP and Golf R) as Tesco is my closest petrol station by miles.  I have not noticed any change in the character of the performance or engine noise since driving the car off the forecourt as a new car, while using the super unlead fuel.  I know some will say the best/true super unleaded will be BP or Shell fuel, but from personal experience I have had no trouble using the Tesco Momentum 99 super unleaded. 

[mcmaddy]

I wouldn't go anywhere near supermarket fuel but I'm sure many nay sayers will be along soon to tell you it doesn't matter. I've always used shell v power or Tesco 99 if possible and VW Driver mag always used to advocate using the highest quality fuel. You've spent a lot of money on your car so why scrimp on the fuel that you use?

[Talk-torque]

Yes, premium car, premium fuel.

Your car will take time for the ECU to adapt to the better fuel, so, using only the occasional tank full, you will never see any benefits.

[themaninagolf]

I agree with McMaddy.  You've likely spent premium money on a performance car so why fill it with lower grade fuel?

It was one of my considerations before purchasing my 7.5 back in February.  I was coming out of a diesel Insignia (yes, I know but she was the workhorse I needed at the time).  The Golf is cheaper to tax and insure, cost of fuel in comparison to Derv is pennies of difference, if at all.  MPG is lower, yes, but high 30's and low 40's is a good compromise for something I can really push on and enjoy the driving dynamics of.  Over all I'd consider I'm on a WIN!

I'm running BP ultimate and with their new rewards I can get "something" back as a small bonus also.

There's a reason the manufacturer recommends fuel type and I believe my engine is performing and benefiting from it.

All said and done it's down to personal choice.

[kmpowell]

I ran a poll recently and I was amazed to see 20% of people using 95RON fuel, some using supermarket 95. 

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=284673

Each to their own (and the availability in their area), but it's only 99RON for me. Mine feels more responsive and sounds much angrier when it's running on Momentum versus V-Power, and of course it's 5-10p a litre cheaper than V-Power. But... with Momentum you lose the cleaning properties of the V-Power, so I do 3:1 fill ratios in favour of Momentum.

[Brenbo]

The problem for some of us who live out in the sticks, is we don't have a lot of options near by, and the only options on many occasions will be the Supermarket Petrol Station or the... Supermarket Petrol Station.  The nearest BP/Shell garage i can think of will be easily 15 miles away.  I will agree don't touch the filth known as 95 octane unleaded at a Supermarket petrol station.  Which is why I use the Momentum 99 at Tescos as it is the best of what I can get near by.  If I were closer to a BP or Shell garage i suspect I would also use their premium super unleaded fuel as well. But for my circumstance I can  only use the Momentum 99 if I want super unleaded. 

[spiked71]

momentum for me with the occasional top up with v power, do begrudge the price of v power mind

[mcmaddy]

I've got the shell + app and I always seem to get money off when I use it plus cheaper coffee 😄

[andy28]

I've got the shell + app and I always seem to get money off when I use it plus cheaper coffee 😄

Me too mcmaddy, it's much better than the old card isn't it!