Fuel Octane rating

[Burkey]

So what seems to be happening is that the Aussie spec car has a different tune which most likely stems from different emissions targets.
If they've optimised the tune to run on 98 (or whatever), and you run 95, you're not getting the ponies you paid for. Simple.
This is exactly where a mob like Streetfighter COULD come in handy, given that they've worked on both Aus and US spec cars...

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[VNE000]

Need to hook up a tuner and see what it is set to. There looks to be a choice of three settings (or maybe AUS spec is different)

video @ 2:38
[ame="[MEDIA=youtube]5qe2pDUoIDA[/MEDIA]"]

 

[msweet]

BTW - I am pretty sure the 98RON "BP Ultimate" is exactly the same RON as any other 98RON fuel sold in Australia. There may be an additives package added that make it "BP Ultimate" (i.e. detergents, etc), but it won't affect the octane rating (unless some chemists know different - I'm a mech eng).

Theres been multiple tests on 98 fuel in oz that have proven BP actually rates at 98 RON compared to the others, which can be packaged as 98 but be much lower octanes. The usual winners are BP ultimate and shell v power

I had caltex 98 in my VE SS when it was tuned (pretty much the only time I ever put anything other than BP ultimate in it - silly me) and my tuner asked me what brand of 95 I had put in it. Its possible that it was just a horrendous mix of fuel, but the reviews seem to indicate that it's more common than you think

 

[Zepboy]

I'm curious about this discussion. The owners manual that came with my GT, and the the specific vehicle information shown on the Ford Australia owners website says that 95 RON is suitable for the GT. I appreciate there is some difference between the RON numbers between the US and Australia, but surely the Australian owners manual should be able to be interpreted for Australian conditions.
The question in my mind is whether the use of AUstralian 95RON would cause any damage to this engine. Anyone?

 

[G RUSH]

I'm curious about this discussion. The owners manual that came with my GT, and the the specific vehicle information shown on the Ford Australia owners website says that 95 RON is suitable for the GT. I appreciate there is some difference between the RON numbers between the US and Australia, but surely the Australian owners manual should be able to be interpreted for Australian conditions.
The question in my mind is whether the use of AUstralian 95RON would cause any damage to this engine. Anyone?

Australia has shit fuel. Run 98 to give your car the best chance for longevity.

Also all of the cleaning chemicals keep it clean in there.

Also, you will find that in the summer, when our engines are getting real warm and heat soaked, you're gonna need all the Octane you can get to prevent knocking.

If you're driving 40,000 kms per year and you want to save a hundred bucks I'd at the very least use 95 over cooler months and definitely 98 in summer.

Edit: I wouldn't put 91 in my lawn mower.

 

[Aus-MustangGT]

So what seems to be happening is that the Aussie spec car has a different tune which most likely stems from different emissions targets.
If they've optimised the tune to run on 98 (or whatever), and you run 95, you're not getting the ponies you paid for. Simple.
This is exactly where a mob like Streetfighter COULD come in handy, given that they've worked on both Aus and US spec cars...

Or the local option is Blue power racing, they have tuned US spec Mustangs, Whippled Mustangs, Roush Mustangs and older mustangs with the KB package etc.

 

[AussieGreg]

I run BP 98 in all 3 cars. The Mustang GT my XR6 Turbo and my wife's 5 year old Mazda 6 Wagon

 

[MC]

I've spoken to many people including mechanics and people in the automotive industry and seen many articles and the general consensus is that in Australia BP and Mobil fuels in 98 are the ones to go for above Shell and Caltex. They're all basically the same fuel but each company adds in their own stuff as you said. In saying all that though trying them out and seeing for yourself couldn't hurt.

I would like to see those articles. I will check on line. I have been using Caltex 98 for some time and think it work works on my XR6T. Mainly because I go past more Caltexes (or is the plural Caltices? ). I like to use fuel from the same company where possible. We only seem to have Caltex and Shell near where I live (Robina, Gold Coast), or at least along the routes I travel. Would change if there's a good reason to do so.

 

[MC]

I run BP 98 in all 3 cars. The Mustang GT my XR6 Turbo and my wife's 5 year old Mazda 6 Wagon

My old Celica knocks/pings tremendously on anything other than 91. I know, defies logic. Tried it a couple of times.

 

[Aus-MustangGT]

I would like to see those articles. I will check on line. I have been using Caltex 98 for some time and think it work works on my XR6T. Mainly because I go past more Caltexes (or is the plural Caltices? ). I like to use fuel from the same company where possible. We only seem to have Caltex and Shell near where I live (Robina, Gold Coast), or at least along the routes I travel. Would change if there's a good reason to do so.

I am currently experimenting with BP, Shell, Caltex and United to see what blend is the best for our cars. The general rule of thumb is that
1. BP
2. Shell
3. Caltex
4. United

Either way you are doing good by your car by choosing 98 at any of these providers, And some are more expensive than others

 

[MC]

I'm curious about this discussion. The owners manual that came with my GT, and the the specific vehicle information shown on the Ford Australia owners website says that 95 RON is suitable for the GT. I appreciate there is some difference between the RON numbers between the US and Australia, but surely the Australian owners manual should be able to be interpreted for Australian conditions.
The question in my mind is whether the use of AUstralian 95RON would cause any damage to this engine. Anyone?

Probably no obvious medium-term damage. Ford says same thing about XR6T. But everyone I've spoken to says only use 95RON in an emergency, and them only put in as much as you can to get to where they sell 98. You're likely to get better efficiency in any case, as well as the benefits of whatever detergents you get in 98.

 

[MC]

I am currently experimenting with BP, Shell, Caltex and United to see what blend is the best for our cars. The general rule of thumb is that
1. BP
2. Shell
3. Caltex
4. United

Either way you are doing good by your car by choosing 98 at any of these providers, And some are more expensive than others

Perhaps I might give the BP a go in the XR6T. Interested to see your conclusions so I know what's best by the time my GT arrives.

 

[noboot]

We only seem to have Caltex and Shell near where I live (Robina, Gold Coast), or at least along the routes I travel. Would change if there's a good reason to do so.

There's a BP near the airport that I know of because I fill the hire car their every time before I drop it off before I fly back to Sydney and will do the same when I fly back from holidays on the GC next week.

 

[MC]

There's a BP near the airport that I know of because I fill the hire car their every time before I drop it off before I fly back to Sydney and will do the same when I fly back from holidays on the GC next week.

I work at the airport! Jetstar A320 just landed and taxiing to terminal. And another just landed. Though that looks like an A321. There's an independent near the entrance (something with a tick, I can see it from my office window), or maybe it's changed to BP. Will go for a look at lunch.

Lovely time of year on the GC or in SEQ in general. My favourite time of the year.

 

[w0rt3x]

I can see some of you don't understand what the octane rating is. Puring 98 isn't the best for every car. I'm not going to do the explanation here but I hope you find this useful:

[ame]

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