1.4 TSi 160PS - Which Fuel Grade?

[swgreen]

hi folks getting my rocco next week its 1.4 tsi 160 bhp which fuel would be best to use v power or normal unleaded cheers

[mrbojangles]

You’ll get a load of conflicting opinions on this!

Have a read of this http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... 99&p=52163" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And also do a search on fuel consumption etc

There are several debates on whether >95 RON fuel offers benefits (fuel consumption etc) over regular 95 RON unleaded
Then there is the debate on supermarket unleaded vs other petrol stations

Personally:
My Roc has had regular 95RON unleaded in it from BP since purchase (only as whenever I have needed petrol, it’s been a BP closest)

[skyblues11]

i tend to use the Shell 95 RON. Apparently, its has something that gives you more distance...

[Toonman555a]

I'll be going back to petrol after 3+ years of diesel, and heading for the nearest 99+ octane I can find.

I used to run my turbocharged Subarus (7 Imprezas) on the highest octane I could find. The last one (Impreza WRX STi UK PPP) would drop 50 bhp running on 95 RON. I really hacked off my Mother in Law running around Northumberland once, looking for Optimax (as it was then) !

Way back when, Imprezas ran better on Shell Optimax and Evos on the BP equivalent - can't remember the name. Tesco 99 RON also came highly rated. I'll use VMax whenever I can.

Cheers

[ZephyR]

I ran my 1.4 160 bph on 95RON for the first 4 months and was very happy with it. I then thought I'd try 99RON fuel and I've been using that since and its been great.
By my calculations (from before and after switching to 99 RON) the 3% extra cost of 99RON fuel is covered by the 4% or so extra mpg I get from it.
You are reported to get some extra ummph from 99RON and that does seem to be the case ..... or is that just in my mind ?

Either way the differences seem to be fairly marginal and you won't do any harm running your Roc on either.

[true romance]

On my last car forum there was a member who works for shell UK and this debate was brought up many times. From what he has told me (both on and off the forums) I wouldn't use supermarket fuel, also v-power and all the other brands high octain fuels are not just about higher BHP but also the way the fuel works and cleans inside the engine. I only use shell whenever possible. But thats my choice, if your happy with regular 95ron then thats fine too.

[skyblues11]

If these expensive, fancy fuels contain cleaning agents, then it makes sense as it keeps the nozzles unblocked and thus more efficient use of fuel.

is there any harm in using one tank of 99 and the next tank 95, and back to 99 again? its cheaper then using 99 all the time.

[Toonman555a]

As both cars have ECUs, I see no reason for it to be different - Scooby ECUs needed at least a tankful before they were reset. I wouldn't chop and change, but as has been said before, each to their own.

Cheers

[ZephyR]

If these expensive, fancy fuels contain cleaning agents, then it makes sense as it keeps the nozzles unblocked and thus more efficient use of fuel.

is there any harm in using one tank of 99 and the next tank 95, and back to 99 again? its cheaper then using 99 all the time.

Don't see much point in that. Bear in mind it takes a couple of fill ups to clear out the 95 and then it takes some time for the ECU to adjust itself to the fuel change. Before all that's happened you've changed back to 95RON.
And you certainly won't be getting the improved fuel economy by swapping fuels each time yo fill up. Change every 3 months maybe.

[richio]

I use tesco 99 Ron....always have, its greeaaaaat. A slight improvement in power, not sure about consumption.

[Toonman555a]

I use Tesco 99 Ron....always have, it's greeaaaaat.

As I said earlier. Nice to have it confirmed.

[swgreen]

just thought i would update this on fuel ive used i tried bp and sainburys 97 octane and must say was awful stuff car felt sluggish and didnt feel as good as v-power i also used shell 95 for a few weeks yes it felt ok but not the same if that makes sense just felt the car was slower but the fuel lasted longer this may be as you get more litres as i was only putting forty pounds worth of fuel at a time and shell give you more ive started using v-power again car feels more responsive and way better so i would say if you want fuel to last longer use basic 95 if you want to feel quicker use v-power you wont get silly more performance but to me it just feels alot better hope that helps thanks .

[nubsy]

Used v power for first 4 weeks, then changed to standard unleaded. Have found no diff in power or distance.

[fun meter]

Dont notice any difference in power between 96/99RON from shell. But I get more miles out of normal Shell vs normal BP. I'd run in a car on vpower, then after 3000miles I'd run on normal Shell. Just what I'd do though.

Some cars ECU's optimize themselves now. Tends to be higher performance cars though. BMW M3/M5, Audi R8, GTR, F430 or later etc... Sure it will become more of a feature, if it hasnt already.

[RW1]

Some cars ECU's optimize themselves now. Tends to be higher performance cars though. BMW M3/M5, Audi R8, GTR, F430 or later etc... Sure it will become more of a feature, if it hasnt already.

The Scirocco does, its called the lambda probe closed circuit together with an intelligent engine ECU. As do all road going vehicles to meet the current emission laws since about 1992 or there about when the catalytic converter was deem mandatory in the UK. The introduction of engine ECU's at around the same time meant the engine management could adapt for not only petrol quality between brands but also petrol grades (within reason of their individual engine design/compression ratio/igntion timing control). ie since Golf Mk3 days in the case of VW.

C.

[Ryy]

So the Scirocco will tune itself (to an extent) for what fuel you put in? If so, what gains / losses (if say the 200PS is the 99RON output)

[RW1]

The word "tune" used here is not the same as retune aka re-map.

Its tuning adjustment to maintain optimum emission levels while still continuing to deliver power/torque from the engine. Petrol grade will affect power as timing will be retarded using the knock sensor (sensor to detect engine "pinking") for lower grade(s) down to what ever grade is on the petrol flap indicated by VW. As is retards, power will reduce proportionally all the way up the rev range to the peak revs.

But also from pertol surveys, 99 RON doesn't always mean the same between petrol brands when it comes to engine performance delivery. I haven't any comparison graphs for the Mk3 Scirocco. But I certainly notice a difference running on Shell V power or BP Ultimate. But also find Tesco 99RON and that may be the higher ethanol % Tesco are now selling their fuel with since March 2010.

But for instance, my Corrado VR6 drops its power curve by 5% from 98RON to 95RON according to VW charts. And that is noticable from mid range upwards when I've used 95RON grade.

C.

[rodgeedavis]

95 or 98 Ron petrol for this engine

[happymum67]

Up to you.runs on both ok. Im on 95. 40mpg on motorway,33 abt town

[RW1]

Minimum of 95RON but runs better on 98/99RON.

1-4TSi 160PS Tank Flap Label.JPG

C.