Different Fuels / Road Trip Planning

[red barron]

I'm going on a holiday soon, and have planned out the RON 98 stops along the way. However I was wondering what would happen if you put in normal Unleaded into my GTI? I just have this feeling of planning a stop at the only stop in town with RON 98 and their pumps are out of order. What would you do if you didn't have enough fuel left for the closest fuel stop?

Also I have been putting Shell V-Power into the GTI, but put some BP Ultimate in the other day. Have you guys had any bad experiences from the different brands? Ive had a few people say that Shell put addatives into their fuel but BP doesn't? (sorry if this is well stepped ground!)

[MattyT]

I'm pretty sure VW mandate 98ron in GTIs, so putting in low grade fuel would probably lead to pinging or at least rough idle.

Pro tip: Jerry can, 2 of em.

[red barron]

Yeh, 98 is one fuel cap, and a 95 in brackets. Maybe I should get a jerry can.

[datracer99]

You can run on 95 octane, but need to keep the revs down or it will ping. 91 octane is not an option.

The best option if you are worried is to carry a bottle of octane booster on your trip for when you get stuck with 95.

[red barron]

I just read about engine pinging. I'll make sure I don't get caught out! Cheers for the advice.

[Jarred]

get yourself a bottle of two of octane boost, retail for about 10-12 bucks from super/bahn/co etc, but a bit more from servos. they normally boost a whole tank a couple of octane, depend on which brand you get. They are also smaller and less smelly than a jerry can..