Board logo

Unleaded or super unleaded?
Humbug - 4/12/05 at 10:10 AM

Is super unleaded worth getting? Am I likely to get more mpg and/or better performance out of my K-Series?

Likewise for my tintop (Passat 1.8), it would be good not to have to fill up so often.

I'm just not sure of there would be any real benefits, e.g. if an engine is "rated" for 95 unleaded, will it not actually benefit from 98/99?

Opinions? Pros? Cons?


phelpsa - 4/12/05 at 10:13 AM

Well you may get a few more mpg and possibly a cleaner engine but other than that no real benefits. Also can help stop melted pistons on highly tuned engines/turboed cars.

Adam


Russ-Turner - 4/12/05 at 10:15 AM

My mate emailed me a list of all the Tesco garages selling it in the country but i've erased the bugger because no-one near me was doing it. He believes he has seen a noticeable improvement in performance from his 4X4 Cavalier but I don't know of anyone else using it yet.

[Edited on 4/12/05 by Russ-Turner]


britishtrident - 4/12/05 at 10:18 AM

K series hasn't got a knock sensor it won't know the difference unles you do something else like raise the compression ratio, but Optimax should also keep the valve stems cleaner.

There is a simple trick for the K series that gives a bit crisper throttle response --- tweek the fuel presure regulator to give slightly higher pressure.


Danozeman - 4/12/05 at 10:19 AM

I ran a couple of tanks in my 1.6 zetec fiesta and my mpg went down by quite alot. It did make it pull slightly better.

I ran some optimax through it aswell. lost 100 miles out of the tank of fuel but went like shit.


clbarclay - 4/12/05 at 11:38 AM

If your ever going to make the most of any performance then econamy is going to go right out of the window.
I dought there is any fuel that will produce 'good' econamy when the engine is being run 'on cam' or 'on turbo'

The only way of getting performance and econnamy is called a TDI. Particuarly VW examples which never do below 50, no matter how hard you try.


Lawnmower - 4/12/05 at 12:09 PM

Borrwoed my colleagues Golf a few months ago, nearly 160 bhp i think from a diesel, got it to 120mph following a civic r type, had to slow for roundabout. scarry thing was it had an onboard computer that told current mpg, could get 50 to 60 easy, but when floored it in lower gears it would drop to 11mph!

quote:
Originally posted by clbarclay
If your ever going to make the most of any performance then econamy is going to go right out of the window.
I dought there is any fuel that will produce 'good' econamy when the engine is being run 'on cam' or 'on turbo'

The only way of getting performance and econnamy is called a TDI. Particuarly VW examples which never do below 50, no matter how hard you try.


MikeR - 4/12/05 at 12:13 PM

errm.......... no matter how hard most people try