Polo GTI - Do you have to use 98 RON?

[MACCAA]

Due to the current Premium shortage I had to fill with BP 95 yesterday.In normal driving can't say I've noticed any difference.And my car is chipped+exhaust,so running moore boost/ignition than standard.
As already stated earlier it says 95 inside the fuel filler cap anyway.

[VW GTI]

Lots of the servos in Brisbane are closing the 95 RON pertrol pumps on Tuesdays (the cheapest day) so everyone has to get premium or E10. Lucky I get it anyway or I'd be pissed, we don't seem to have a shortage up here though, just knobhead servo owners.

[Sharkie]

I have an email from VW (in reply to a question on V-Power Racing) stating that your warranty will be void if you they detect you are not using Premium Unleaded.

They did approve the use of V-Power Racing as well. But 91 and 95 is a no go according to VW head office.

So save some bucks and potentially lose your warranty .......

[Timbo]

They did approve the use of V-Power Racing as well. But 91 and 95 is a no go according to VW head office.

Could you please post up the email in full?

Because both my handbook and the label on the fuel hatch say 95/98, with 95 RON minimum. AFAIK, there's been no engine spec change between 2006 and now, so I'd like to know why VW Aus has suddenly eliminated 95.

Having said that, of course I always use 98, but with the shortages around, I have at least had some comfort I can use 95 if necessary (my Revo flash includes a switchable tune for 95 anyway, which is doubly comforting). However, last week, the only premium unleaded I could find in any of the stations within a 5k radius was VPower Racing. I have a tune for that, too and the car goes well on it, but at nearly $1.70/litre, it'd bloody well want to!

[Sharkie]

Here is the email I got:

Dear Johan,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us through the Volkswagen
website. It is always a pleasure to see such interest and enthusiasm in
our vehicles.

In regards to your email on ethanol petrol, we do not recommend running
our vehicles using anything with more than 10% ethanol in the petrol as
this petrol burns differently and does not lubricate parts that vitally
need lubricating.

It is recommended that you run your vehicle using Premium Unleaded Fuel
(98 Ron). Therefore, the Shell Optimax Extreme with 100 Ron can be used
in your new Polo GTi, as it only contains 5% ehtanol.

I would also like to advise you that if it was to be found that the
vehicle had been running on petrol with a lower grading than premium
unleaded it could void your vehicle warranty.

Once again, thank you for your interest in our vehicles and do not
hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,
Volkswagen Customer Assist

[MACCAA]

The VW email says Premium Unleaded,NOT 98.Basic Premium unleaded is 95,with the higher octanes 98 and Shell 100.
So anything from 95 up is OK.
Cheers
Len

[Sharkie]

It actually does .......

"using Premium Unleaded Fuel (98 Ron)." is specifying what premium unleaded means to VW.

[Timbo]

Well, as both the manual and the fuel flap say "95/98" and VW hasn't made any effort to contact me about otherwise, I'd use 95 if necessary, and if VW tries to void the warranty...well, their lawyers can talk to my lawyers

[Grant]

ok, direct quote from section 3.3 of my polo gti manual regarding the 110kw turbo engine.

"fuel - super ron 95 / 91*

*with slight loss of power, slight increase in fuel consumption and some knocking in the engine until knock control is activated."

[Y2008]

On my tank cover it only says 95 and no mention of 98 at all. The car is a March 2008 build.

[Spec83]

I believe Super 95 in Europe / US is the equivelant of 98 RON in Australia

[hkogti]

Shell is phasing out 100 ron fuel...

No more 100 in australia...

Only 98 now...

Need to stop getting 100 for my polo to get use to 98...

[FL00DY]

I believe Super 95 in Europe / US is the equivelant of 98 RON in Australia

Thats correct. Y2008, if you can always use 98.

[Sharkie]

Its a turbo car, you should always use the best possible fuel you can. Anything less will result in a drop in performance and eventually lead to damage of your engine.

Pity about the Shell 100 ....

If you can't afford the best, sell your GTI and buy a car that uses 91 like a Hyundai or something....

[FL00DY]

Its a turbo car, you should always use the best possible fuel you can. Anything less will result in a drop in performance and eventually lead to damage of your engine.

Pity about the Shell 100 ....

If you can't afford the best, sell your GTI and buy a car that uses 91 like a Hyundai or something....

Yup well said