Petrol - Which One?

[krhall]

I've recently noticed a thread where someone was using the higher octane 97 Unleaded as opposed to the normal 95 unleaded. So simply I thought I would ask is there any real (noticeable) benefit in using the more expensive fuel?

If so what is it? and is it really worth the extra?

[TSM]

Not on the SV, higher spec bikes yes.

[Viney]

I've recently noticed a thread where someone was using the higher octane 97 Unleaded as opposed to the normal 95 unleaded. So simply I thought I would ask is there any real (noticeable) benefit in using the more expensive fuel?

If so what is it? and is it really worth the extra?
Find a post by Grinch, then check his blog. He done a fuel experiment over a time. Some interesting results. I find using the higer octane sutff holds back the carb icing through the winter, but use normal stuff most of the time

[Alpinestarhero]

I've recently noticed a thread where someone was using the higher octane 97 Unleaded as opposed to the normal 95 unleaded. So simply I thought I would ask is there any real (noticeable) benefit in using the more expensive fuel?

If so what is it? and is it really worth the extra?
Find a post by Grinch, then check his blog. He done a fuel experiment over a time. Some interesting results. I find using the higer octane sutff holds back the carb icing through the winter, but use normal stuff most of the time

This is interesting. I'm worried about carb icing now the winter weather is on its way; is there anything else i can do to prevent carb icing? What happens if icing occurs?

Matt

[Steve H]

My wifes car is a Suzuki Ignis Sport (underrated, if a little ugly, hot hatch) Suzuki 'insist' on 97+
ron fuel being used for this car.
It certainly increases the performance and fuel economy over the use of 95 Ron on the Ignis.
Not sure that it would have much affect on an SV though.

[Scoobs]

is there anything else i can do to prevent carb icing?

Get fuel injection.

[Baph]

is there anything else i can do to prevent carb icing?

Get fuel injection.
What is this carb icing? Can someone explain the concept to me? :P :lol:

[Steve H]

is there anything else i can do to prevent carb icing?

Get fuel injection.
What is this carb icing? Can someone explain the concept to me? :P :lol:

Something that you are prepared to put up with, in order to ride the (by far) best looking model
in the SVs history. :wink:

[Razor]

As Viney sez higher octanes in the winter, I fill up at Tesco most of the time.

[northwind]

This is interesting. I'm worried about carb icing now the winter weather is on its way; is there anything else i can do to prevent carb icing? What happens if icing occurs?


Silkolene Pro FST- great stuff. Though most of the time, just usign Optimax has worked for me (or whatever it's called now). The rest of the year I just use whatever's cheap ;)

[Baph]

As Viney sez higher octanes in the winter, I fill up at Tesco most of the time.
Not that long ago our local Tesco got water in the high octane stuff. Just something worth thinking about ;)

Higer octane fuels (IMO) give a little better sound, but I think (as other have said & Grinch has tested) there's little actual benefit, probably more of a placebo.

[Sid Squid]

just using Optimax has worked for me (or whatever it's called now). The rest of the year I just use whatever's cheap ;)

Good advice. Especially the bit about cheap, that's the right one.

[Grinch]

I've recently noticed a thread where someone was using the higher octane 97 Unleaded as opposed to the normal 95 unleaded. So simply I thought I would ask is there any real (noticeable) benefit in using the more expensive fuel?

If so what is it? and is it really worth the extra?
Find a post by Grinch, then check his blog. He done a fuel experiment over a time. Some interesting results. I find using the higer octane sutff holds back the carb icing through the winter, but use normal stuff most of the time

Over time there are no real benefits other then reduced carb icing... Over a year period with 2 different bikes I found the extra cost just about balances out the extra mileage. So unless you doing high miles like me and some other people its not worth it. If your doing lots of short trips you might find you loose the extra benefit of the higher octane fuel. Rather nicely Sainsburys in my area there Super unleaded is only 2 pence more then the normal unleaded, at 84.9 and 86.9 a litre.

The last lot of Averages where -

Averages:
BP Ultimate (97 ron):
Mpg 51.46 KM per Litre:18.21 Pence per mile:8.61 £11.87 137.7 miles
Shell Optimax (97 ron):
Mpg 52.87 KM per Litre:18.11 Pence per mile:8.27 £11.75 142.2 miles
Sainsbury's Super Unleaded (97 ron):
Mpg 51.56 KM per Litre:18.25 Pence per mile:8.12 £11.61 139.5 miles
Sainsbury's Unleaded (95 ron):
Mpg 50.37 KM per Litre:17.83 Pence per mile:8.24 £10.88 132 miles

As you can see the pence per mile is very close.

[Razor]

The only thing you haven't done is put them on a dyno, wonder if there's any kind of serious power deficit between the different fuels?

[Grinch]

Also looking online on petrolprices.com and noticed this -

Name City Distance Price Last Update
Murco Doubles Garage Reading 16.7 miles 79.1p 16-01-2007
Asda Asda Lower Earley Reading 15.35 miles 83.9p 21-01-2007
Jet Chertsey Service Station Chertsey 19.66 miles 84p 21-01-2007
Bp Oak Farm Connect Farnborough 1.08 miles 84.9p 21-01-2007
Bp Green Park Connect Farnborough 1.38 miles 84.9p 21-01-2007

Can't be right can it? 79.1 ppl?

[northwind]

The only thing you haven't done is put them on a dyno, wonder if there's any kind of serious power deficit between the different fuels?

One of the bike mags did that with a pair of bikes, and found they both made slightly more power, but it was a smaller % increase than the % increase in cost...

[600+]

I try and only use Optimax on my car since I got it from brand new about 3 years ago.

There have been a couple of times when I used standard fuel from Asda or other petrol stations and had quite a few problems.

Boost was quite low and mpg went down a fair bit. Along with low boost other performance issues surfaced.

Worth saying my car is a 1.8 20VT with a custom map

[Tim in Belgium]

Yep,

Only run my car on Shell V-Power (or optimax, or whatever it's called) 99Ron, or Tesco 99 Ron as a Jap import it's meant to run 100Ron, so I also use an octane booster for high days and holidays (but then it's a 2 litre flat four twin turbo with 280 hp...).

As for the SV tried super unleaded once and found it didn't feel quite as crisp, could have been my imagination as it wasn't exactly a scientific test! However if super gives more miles I may consider it as that curvy tank is a little on the small side on big mileage days.

[northwind]

Boost was quite low and mpg went down a fair bit. Along with low boost other performance issues surfaced.

Worth saying my car is a 1.8 20VT with a custom map

Yeah, it'll have knock sensors- you know this I'm sure, but for the benefit of the jury :) Higher octane fuel detonates at higher comp/pressure, so high octane allows more boost or more advance. Some engines adapt for that- the 1.8T definately does- as do some bikes (the big mad BMW IL4 retards the ignition for lower octane fuels). But the SV's a more or less fixed system, and it's set up to run on rubbish.

[Tim in Belgium]

Yep the scooby twin turbos tend to blow out their bottom ends with all ghe knock from lower octane fuels when on boost, or just overboosting on high octane fuel., I have been warned by some others etc on this who have suffered... The ecu also sets itself (once disconnected for a period) and teaches itself new limits with the type of fuel you're using, so there's a two fold beneifit, but as you say with no knock sensor on svs the benefits will be more limited.

[Fearg]

But the SV's a more or less fixed system, and it's set up to run on rubbish.

Yup, that's pretty much my understanding too. Must admit as a result I haven't bothered trying any higher octane fuel in my bike as yet. :D

[gettin2dizzy]

yup completely fixed. performance increases could be expected if the engine was tuned to run on this fuel. Modern cars however adapt (and a few new bmw bikes) to the fuel its using, but not for power, for fuel efficiency. However the benefits in engine wear are also debatable. Optimax has some wild claims on their website. bikes always seem a step behind cars in terms of engine efficiency :? a vw lupo can do 60mpg!!

[northwind]

yup completely fixed. performance increases could be expected if the engine was tuned to run on this fuel. Modern cars however adapt (and a few new bmw bikes) to the fuel its using, but not for power, for fuel efficiency. However the benefits in engine wear are also debatable. Optimax has some wild claims on their website. bikes always seem a step behind cars in terms of engine efficiency :? a vw lupo can do 60mpg!!

A VW Lupo isn't getting 160bhp from an engine you can pick up and carry :)

The big daft BMW supernaked loses about 20bhp when run on regular, incidentally, but returns similiar economy.

[Grinch]

I get 50-55 mpg out of the SV, whats wrong with that?

[gettin2dizzy]

for something that weighs 180kg?! its ****!i seem to get around 40 mpg :?

[fullstop102]

Well I am just doing this test in my 206 sport. I will let you know if I notice much of a fuel economy difference but I have already noticed better pull at lower revs. So we shall see.

[DanF]

I've been told a few times it's a good idea to put something like a tank of Optimax in it say every 5 tanks to help keep the insides clean. Engines that are run on Optimax are definently cleaner on the inside :)

[gettin2dizzy]

I've been told a few times it's a good idea to put something like a tank of Optimax in it say every 5 tanks to help keep the insides clean. Engines that are run on Optimax are definently cleaner on the inside :)

i think shell recommend that....:geek:

i run optimax alot, its not a huge amount more expensive on a machine thats hardly a guzzler so as doubtful as i am on the benefits....why not?!

[Moffatt666]

Good luck running Optimax - Shell were threatened with court action over the name - it's now called V-Power.

[mattSV]

I always use Optimax in my Scooby, and either Optimax or Sainsburys/Tescos on the bike

[Tim in Belgium]

Yeah us people with Scoobies understand the problem of detonation with a turbo charged engine, hence using V-Power or other 99 Ron stuff, just the SV isn't prone to this problem so the debate is a little more open. I just use run of the mill unleaded. Tried super once and it felt a bit flat, may try it again if I remember but I don't worry about it.

[krhall]

Well I'm going to top up with petrol later, so my questions are:

Is it worth me topping up with the expensive stuff?

Can I use any companies 97Ron stuff or is Shell's the best?

If it will keep my engine cleaner and thus run better or last longer then I am happy to spend the extra.

I will have to top up on the way home as I am approaching the 120 Mile mark, so any answers would be appreciated.

[lukemillar]

Well I'm going to top up with petrol later, so my questions are:

Is it worth me topping up with the expensive stuff?

Thing I find about all this is a litre of 95 unleaded vs a litre of 98 unleaded is what? 10p? tops The SV tank is 16/17 litres. So even if you are running on fumes, it's only going to cost you about £1.60-70 more to find out!

[hovis]

Thing I find about all this is a litre of 95 unleaded vs a litre of 98 unleaded is what? 10p? tops The SV tank is 16/17 litres. So even if you are running on fumes, it's only going to cost you about £1.60-70 more to find out!

Cack idea and a complete waste of money.

[lukemillar]

Cack idea and a complete waste of money.

True. I mean it's not like, say blowing £1800 on a number plate! :wink:

[the_lone_wolf]

http://nitespyder.com/CatHiss.jpg

[carty]

Just to add to the debate about the normal vs. more expensive unleaded types, I have a mate who works for BP in their refinery in Essex. He says that the stuff that goes to garages is all exactly the same when it leaves their place - someone further down the supply chain adds in whatever they add to make it 'special', and generally he is very sceptical that it is any different at all.

I can't remember the specifics cos we were drunk a couple of weeks ago when we had the conversation 8-[ but I can get some more concrete info off him if anyone is interested?

He is a chemical engineer who works for BP and his concensus was 'don't bother with it', but that is of course, just his opinion :cool: I don't really have one having never tried it, but I don't think I'd bother with it.

Cheers,
Matt