Is PULP necessary?

[Maverick]

95 is PULP isnt it?. What is not recommended to run is just normal unleaded.

Volkswagen (the manufacturer) specify and recommend PULP (98 ) for the FSI as I quoted earlier. They also recommend and specify PULP (95) for the 1.6.

PULP is nothing but a marketing name. What matters is the RON rating.

[Maverick]

There are times when supply of 98 isn't available so I think it's a fair question by the OP.

Octane booster is available in bottles and if you're going on a trip you can check what places carry 98 along the way. There are times when you have to use 95 but you should avoid it especially as a lot of 95 now has ethanol (like BP).

If I have to use 95, I'll try and run it as low as possible before I stick 98 back in.

Wouldn't you want to mix it with 98 as soon as possible to raise the octane rating?

Also if you're using 95 with 10% ethanol you're using a fuel that won't knock like a 91-92 but has the power output of 91-92, personally I would never stick anything with ethanol in my tank for this and other reasons.

[Purgi]

Wouldn't you want to mix it with 98 as soon as possible to raise the octane rating?

Also if you're using 95 with 10% ethanol you're using a fuel that won't knock like a 91-92 but has the power output of 91-92, personally I would never stick anything with ethanol in my tank for this and other reasons.

I've probably run 95 twice in 15000kms due to shortage or no 98 available. If I run the tank down to as low as possible, at least the lower octane or ethanol blend is largely out of the system. Next 98 refil I have a good tank instead of having ethanol blended fuel running through my lines for a lot longer. That's the theory, anyway.

[ozgriff]

I'm not too sure mixing half 95RON with half 98RON necessarily equals a 96.5RON blend

IMO run the fuel in the car down to as low as you can, than switch it to the higher rating. This would be the most consistent for the ECU and car's learning curve.

Not too sure about octane boosters either - I used to use them a lot in my older car and did see the benefit in power and reduced knock - though, nowadays, I'm not convinced they are "good" for the car.

[motk]

Why?
Ethanol keeps the fuel system clean & has a cooler burn. I found it to be really good in my old AGG engined Golf. The fact it (Plus95 e10)was 3c/L cheaper than ULP & 9c/L cheaper than straight PULP was just icing on the cake.

Ethanol is hydroscopic - it absorbs water and enables more water to be physically mixed with petrol. You do NOT want that in a direct-injection petrol engine!

I've tried it on my old Subaru RX - totally non-scientific back-of-a-fag-packet calculations showed that we spent a few dollars less per tank, but lost about 80-100km in range!

Just use PULP and be Happy.

[sixfootchoc]

the holden astra takes regular unleaded.

[Maverick]

the holden astra takes regular unleaded.

So does a Hyundai Getz, what is your point exactly?

[runamuk]

Yeah Choc... answers.

the holden astra takes regular unleaded.

[sixfootchoc]

before i walk away slowly...all i'm saying is...if the car says 'use premium only' then use premium..if you want to use plain unleaded in a car...well, the answer is clear....Runamuk, you're being fisicious. lol.

[runamuk]

you still love me...

I always run ultimate 98 in my VR6, have put in 95 a couple of times, she hates it.

before i walk away slowly...all i'm saying is...if the car says 'use premium only' then use premium..if you want to use plain unleaded in a car...well, the answer is clear....Runamuk, you're being fisicious. lol.

[brad]

Octane booster is available in bottles and if you're going on a trip you can check what places carry 98 along the way. There are times when you have to use 95 but you should avoid it especially as a lot of 95 now has ethanol (like BP).

None of the big corporate e10s are 95 AFAIK. They are 94 max and can be as low as 92 (read their TDS).

Not sure what state you are in but I'm 99% certain that NSW has mandatory 2% ethanol in all petrol. They introduced it about this time last year.

[brad]

Ethanol is hydroscopic - it absorbs water and enables more water to be physically mixed with petrol. You do NOT want that in a direct-injection petrol engine!

I've tried it on my old Subaru RX - totally non-scientific back-of-a-fag-packet calculations showed that we spent a few dollars less per tank, but lost about 80-100km in range!

Just use PULP and be Happy.

95ron e10 is PULP

Why don't you want your water miscible with your fuel in a direct injection petrol engine?

I was always taught that it is unwise to allow moisture to build up in a fuel tank, hence add a litre of metho every 6 months to absorb the water & let it pass through with the fuel into the combustion chamber. Just how much moisture is present in the non-vented fuel systems in modern cars?

On my Subaru RX there was negligible difference in fuel consumption between straight PULP95 & 95 e10 (maybe 0.2L/100km). What did make a big difference was using 98ron - that was good for 1L/100km. ULP killed both economy & power (thanks for that tank of fuel Dad) dragging it down to 14L/100km (from 11L/100km).

[anthony]

My Jetta has only had 98,and it runs like a dream.
Why compromise on such a big purchase for a few cents more per litre.

[sixfootchoc]

i'm with you anthony...my gti has only been run on ultimate 98...it's like a milk fed calf...or a corn fed chicken...or a breast milk fed baby...or a cake fed fat kid.....why scrimp now!?