98 octane question, truth or urban myth.

[sednwol]

The oil companies claim that 98 octane gives you more Km's, a cleaner engine and better performance. I put the 95 in my XR8, but @ 5c a litre more are the benefits worth the cost for 98. If the distance I travel is increased then the cost is realitive so I guess the real question is, what is the advantage for the Windsor to running 98 over 95, in other words are the claims by the oil companies re 98 realistic or rubbish?

[private9]

That's an interesting question! I originall started using shell optimax (98 Octane) back when it first came out and was getting nearly 100 kms more out of each tank out of a 95 Corolla, so for me the price difference was more than made up for by the extra distance travelled!

Over time though, I don't know if it's just me, but I'm struggling to get any extra distance out of 98 these days - dunno if the quality's changed or what?

[Mr Cube]

When I first got my car I used to do 2 tanks of regular to 1 of Premo (optimax) I found I was getting heaps better milege out of the Optimax over 100kms.. So now I use it all the time.

I think the value for money is more then just milege, as its better fuel so Im assuming its better for your engine.

[mr_xr8]

i always use optimax/vortex98. find it much better the 95 or 90

[sednwol]

MR XR8 wrote

i always use optimax/vortex98. find it much better the 95 or 90

In which ways is it better?

[phildee]

I'm pretty sure RACV either one of the car mags or the RACV tested it not all that long ago. From memory the 95 octane gave more performace in a stock falcon than the 98, however the differences were very little. Might also be different for the XR's etc

[SIKXR8220]

Have been using 95 but my last 2 tanks have been 98 very little difference performance or mileage in my Xr.

[Hardtopxb]

I have always used 98 in my 351s.I did try a tank of 95 in one once and found I had to push harder to achieve the same performance using more fuel etc. I also think if your engine cant benefit from using 98 why use it..inmo

[mr_xr8]

the car idles better and does get a more ks out of a tank.

[howesy]

Bare in mind that at 5 cents difference even filling with an average of 50 litres thats only $2.50 more for 98ron fuel which wont even buy 2 litres of fuel. If your car averages 12 L/100km then you would only have to get an extra 16km from the tank and it's paid for itself. Also fuel quality varies slightly in batches and if you use 95ron that is not quite at the mark causing pinging then a fuel addative that will actually stop it pinging is about $20.
It's all just food for thought but even at 10cents a litre difference I still always use 98-BP Ultimate.

[RG]

I only ever use 98ron fuel in mine and I do about 60,000k a year. Get about 100-110k more out of it per tank and the car also runs better and doesn't ping.

[sednwol]

Thanks guys. How interesting, some of you seem to be saying that there is limited improvement and others good improvement. Howesy you make some very good points.

[XR6-VCT-2000]

yep im a 98 man all the way , better bang for buck , better economy , etc etc.

I have also noticed sometimes in the past when being a bit poorer i have once in a blue moon used 95 , power seems around the same , allthough the economy ain't as good , but i also get slight misses now and then while running 95 ( like the symptoms of a bad sparkplug or lead ) .

Sum it up.. Whatever works best for you and your car really .

[sickxr]

What about the new shell optimax100, it costs a arm and a leg - but seems to make my xr run alot better.

[onfire]

Im pretty sure, a program.. ACA or Today Tonight, proved 95 was pretty.

[JC]

pretty what?

[Stav]

98 octane fuel helps if your car pings and then gives more power.If your car is not pinging then chances are it doing nothing.

[galaxy xr8]

I use 98 in my XR and 95 in my Laser, both get better millage than the lesser grade fuel that they used to run on, but I will never touch regular anymore.