MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Roadrebel on October 04, 2013, 01:23:47 pm

Title: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Roadrebel on October 04, 2013, 01:23:47 pm
Hi, does everyone use 98 or can we get away with 95 on a regular basis. My local village garage has just re-opened and doesn't sell 98.

Are there any dis-advantages in using 95?

Are fuel consumption and power affected noticeably?

Thanks

Michael
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Jonneh on October 04, 2013, 01:33:11 pm
If its for a GTI then I know ED30 says in the fuel cap minimum of 97 Ron. So I run V Power!
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Jake_GTI on October 04, 2013, 01:59:28 pm
I've heard that longer your engine adapts to what fuel you use.  So using 95 for long enough I'm guessing you will see mpg/powerloss.


I think mine performes better on tesco 99 than any other fuels..  But it might be in my head.

I haven't noticed any difference in mpg between 95/97/99 personally I average about 28mpg over the tank using all of them.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: sean140 on October 04, 2013, 02:22:47 pm
I have a TSI and it recommends minimum of 97 as well.

Definitely improves the car when used. If using standard 95, The car feels very 'slouchy' and not as responsive.

Dunno whether it's in my head either but i think my car runs best on tesco 99
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: jedi on October 04, 2013, 06:15:13 pm
To be honest mate there are very little gains from using 98 to 95.  I doubt you would notice any difference for everyday driving unless you are racing I to a track.

5th gear did a lab test on fuels a while back and there wasn't much difference in everyday driving for the extra amount you would need to pay for the ron98 fuel
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Jonathon555 on October 04, 2013, 06:20:43 pm
To be honest mate there are very little gains from using 98 to 95.  I doubt you would notice any difference for everyday driving unless you are racing I to a track.

5th gear did a lab test on fuels a while back and there wasn't much difference in everyday driving for the extra amount you would need to pay for the ron98 fuel

I thought using 98 give you more mpg and power on a GTi
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: jedi on October 04, 2013, 06:27:00 pm
Yes it would but I doubt you would notice it for the extra £ unless you are racing on a track
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Scottymon on October 04, 2013, 06:31:05 pm
I can definitley tell the difference between 95 and 98/99+ RON when tuned.  The difference between Vpower and Tesco 99 is hardly noticeable though, imo.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: skard on October 04, 2013, 07:02:46 pm
I can definitley tell the difference between 95 and 98/99+ RON when tuned.  The difference between Vpower and Tesco 99 is hardly noticeable though, imo.


My opinion is similar, I only put in 95 RON if I have to and only put in enough to get me by. I normally use Tesco 99 due to my location but always fill up with Vpower if passing by.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: xjay1337 on October 04, 2013, 07:48:20 pm
95 vs 98/99 is a big difference.
4-6mpg difference
throttle response is much better with the higher octane fuel.


It is recommended to use 97ron Minimum even on a GTI.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: GrayMK5GTI on October 04, 2013, 11:01:19 pm
The K03 GTI feels very "flat" top end on 95RON. Comes alive with 99RON  :happy2:

Benefits are even better when mapped
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: shortdan14 on October 05, 2013, 12:07:24 am
I definitely get slightly better mpg using 97/99 Ron and it makes me feel better even if it doesn't make a difference.  :signLOL:


Also the petrol cap on the edition 30 says to use 98 Ron.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: itismebigd on October 05, 2013, 08:13:10 am
Totally agaree with xjay,there is a very noticeable difference when using v-power especially,personally (op),id use the highhest ron rating you can find in my case thats shell v-power the car has never run on anything else.

Dougie :happy2: :happy2:
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Gene Hunt on October 05, 2013, 12:24:27 pm
In my ED30 it was shell V Power from day 1at my local,untill it closed for a re-furb 4 months ago & it's still shut. Been using Texaco hi octane 97 & it's been fine.Can't say i've noticed any change & they do a points reward like shell.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: zayd on October 05, 2013, 02:06:07 pm
I'm sure my filler cap says minimum 98 RON!
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: homesqueeze on October 05, 2013, 09:57:37 pm
I'm sure my filler cap says minimum 98 RON!

Yeah mine does too. Although I think on later Gti's they changed it to 95. I have heard of head gasket problems on Gti's running long term on 95, but I don't know if that is only early cars or not. Personally I have always used super, get better mpg and feel.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Jamie3184 on October 05, 2013, 10:09:09 pm
Is it not too do with aditives rather than power and mpg as too why VW would recommend a 98 Ron fuel.

V-Power and the like will have higher quality fuel additives in them over the standard Shell fuel, the 95 Ron stuff. Keeping the engine cleaner and in good working order, especialy as the TFSI is known to "coke up" so much!
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Roadrebel on October 06, 2013, 06:16:47 pm
Thanks everyone, I will try 98 for next few fills and see how it goes.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: dmac1969 on October 06, 2013, 06:23:00 pm
I definately can feel the difference if I used 95RON , In fact I try not to use it now as it really takes the edge off the response of the car , now we have a Tesco in town I usually alternate fill ups between Momentum 99 and V Power Nitro + at the local Shell..
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: xjay1337 on October 06, 2013, 06:30:48 pm
I'm sure my filler cap says minimum 98 RON!

Yeah mine does too. Although I think on later Gti's they changed it to 95. I have heard of head gasket problems on Gti's running long term on 95, but I don't know if that is only early cars or not. Personally I have always used super, get better mpg and feel.

Mechanically speaking how how does the fuel used effect head gaskets?

You could run it on custard creams and while the injectors and lines may get gunked up the head gasket would be fine.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Jonneh on October 06, 2013, 06:37:00 pm
Just double checked my ED30 and it says 98 is best! So looks like it's V Power or Tesco Momentum only!  :driver:
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Leebo310 on October 06, 2013, 11:21:06 pm
Totally agaree with xjay,there is a very noticeable difference when using v-power especially,personally (op),id use the highhest ron rating you can find in my case thats shell v-power the car has never run on anything else.

Dougie :happy2: :happy2:

Yep totally agree too, definitely notice a smoother power delivery with v power.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: homesqueeze on October 07, 2013, 07:37:43 pm
I'm sure my filler cap says minimum 98 RON!

Yeah mine does too. Although I think on later Gti's they changed it to 95. I have heard of head gasket problems on Gti's running long term on 95, but I don't know if that is only early cars or not. Personally I have always used super, get better mpg and feel.

Mechanically speaking how how does the fuel used effect head gaskets?

You could run it on custard creams and while the injectors and lines may get gunked up the head gasket would be fine.

I have absolutely no idea of the mechanicals of it. It's just something I've read in a few different places, one such being a magazines guide on what to look out for when buying a GTI. I don't know if there has been anything proven but I just thought I'd share.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: sub39h on October 07, 2013, 07:58:26 pm
my A3 2.0T has never been run on anything but Tesco Momentum or V-Power (and Optimax before it) in my ownership. i get better mpg so it works out to be a tiny difference in price.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Scrubadub on October 07, 2013, 08:06:35 pm
If your cars mapped for 99 you will get timing pull on lower Ron fuel to prevent detonation, that's why it feels better with higher Ron
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Midlifecrisis on October 07, 2013, 10:32:42 pm
I am too tight to pay the extra money :happy2:
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Tortaruga on October 07, 2013, 11:30:56 pm
^^^Yes!! Another curmudgeonly old f*cker on the forum!

Bollocks! Arse! etc.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: xjay1337 on October 07, 2013, 11:51:34 pm

I have absolutely no idea of the mechanicals of it. It's just something I've read in a few different places, one such being a magazines guide on what to look out for when buying a GTI. I don't know if there has been anything proven but I just thought I'd share.

I don't want to sound like a dick and this is not aimed at you like personally or anything ( :chicken: ) but rather than spread information which you don't know is true (thus causing panic and worry - Dave reads your post and tells his mate who tells his mate who posts it on vwvortex and then you end up on a 500 page article where no-one actually gives any factual proof about anything and then all Mk5s are tarred with an incorrect brush come resale by "wannabe" enthusiasts making everyones lives a mes) why not do some more research into it, take the initiative ! rather than saying something mechanically makes no sense!

In THEORY running poor quality fuel could cause a lean (hot) mixture which could increase cylinder pressures and blow the headgasket. But that's just in theory

In practise the Mk5 will retard the timing and will run safely on 95 ron which is the lowest we can get here. They run 91 in America (I think they have 95 as their PREMIUM GAAAS) and I've never come across this as a problem.

 :party:
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Itguy on October 08, 2013, 06:31:20 am
It's important to compare apples with apples here.

The US display the figure in AKI, not RON generally. 91 AKI = 95 Ron.

See http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: homesqueeze on October 08, 2013, 06:22:56 pm

I have absolutely no idea of the mechanicals of it. It's just something I've read in a few different places, one such being a magazines guide on what to look out for when buying a GTI. I don't know if there has been anything proven but I just thought I'd share.

I don't want to sound like a dick and this is not aimed at you like personally or anything ( :chicken: ) but rather than spread information which you don't know is true (thus causing panic and worry - Dave reads your post and tells his mate who tells his mate who posts it on vwvortex and then you end up on a 500 page article where no-one actually gives any factual proof about anything and then all Mk5s are tarred with an incorrect brush come resale by "wannabe" enthusiasts making everyones lives a mes) why not do some more research into it, take the initiative ! rather than saying something mechanically makes no sense!

In THEORY running poor quality fuel could cause a lean (hot) mixture which could increase cylinder pressures and blow the headgasket. But that's just in theory

In practise the Mk5 will retard the timing and will run safely on 95 ron which is the lowest we can get here. They run 91 in America (I think they have 95 as their PREMIUM GAAAS) and I've never come across this as a problem.

 :party:


Yeah, that's a fair enough point. I just thought that as a reputable car magazine had felt there was enough credibility to print it then it was worth sharing on here.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: Gazza747 on October 09, 2013, 09:30:44 pm
I'm sure my filler cap says minimum 98 RON!

Yeah mine does too. Although I think on later Gti's they changed it to 95. I have heard of head gasket problems on Gti's running long term on 95, but I don't know if that is only early cars or not. Personally I have always used super, get better mpg and feel.

I have an 07 plate Gti and it states 95 ron on the filler flap. In the instruction booklet it states "There will not be a gain in fuel efficiency or power with a higher ron fuel". I get around 40mpg on my 36 mile commute with 95 ron so the efficiency is pretty good. If I had an earlier Gti or ED30 or map to 99 ron I would use the highest ron fuel available.
Title: Re: 98 or 95 Ron
Post by: ThomWalker on October 09, 2013, 11:45:50 pm
I tend to only use Momentum the slightly better mpg over a tank just about justifies the extra cost. Works out to be about the same mile/£ for me