Fuel - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

whippet_zetec · 09-03-2004, 22:46

Hi Folks,

Pretty much since the new premium fuels came out I have been using them in my cars (VR Ute, AUII Falcon and now my Zetec)....

Just wondering if anyone had any preference in their choice of premium fuel they are running (thats if you are ans I know the CL 1.8 doesnt need it). Does anyone have any scientific data to back up their preference??

In my experience I have had the best fuel ecnomy figures and power from the Mobil Synergy 8000 (the purple pump at any Mobil service station)...The Shell Optimax gets a big plug where ever you go and its the fuel they run the V8 Supercars on and it is probably the most widely available so I use that fuel a fair bit. I have noticed recently that Caltex an BP have been re-branding and marketing their premium fuels but to be honest I have never strayed from the Mobil when available or Optimax.

Todd
:fly:

WASACL · 09-04-2004, 01:54

Hey... Sorry man with the focus (cl) i have been really bad and only put regular in it... But when i had the Proton i was using Optimax with a Octane Boost every 3 tanks!!!

Suth · 09-04-2004, 16:42

I heared a rumor that the LRP is actually premium with the lead replacement additive in it. I was told that it needed to be higher octane than normal ULP for the older leaded petrol vehicles. My question is, if LRP is premium with extra additives in it, why does it cost about 3c/L less than PULP? Sorry, back to the topic, have not tried anything other than premium, but I hear you can get by on one in three tanks being premium. I wouldnt chance it though, just to save a couple of bucks.

whippet_zetec · 09-05-2004, 00:25

I wont put anything but premium into my cars. I did an experiment this weekend and took a full tank of Mobile 8000 on board, will run it dry through the week and make some records and then run a full tank of Optimax and record the same data and compare.

I think you are right about the LRP as older style leaded petrol cars do require a higher octane fuel (I had a leaded petrol car and tried running it on normal unleaded after a conversion but went back to leaded because the engine was always pinging under any strain)..LRP is being phased out and I think by mid next year it wont exist at ll and to run an old engine you need to by an over the counter additive to add to you fuel tank each time you fill up (who knows how much those people will get slugged for the additive, plus you will need to use premium aswell for the octane level)

Timmeh · 09-05-2004, 00:31

Even the CL/LX/Ghia Foci which do not require premium still run better and get more fuel efficiency due to the knock sensors being able to adapt to it.

I use Caltex Vortex in my CL and it gets at least an extra 100kms from the tank and runs more smoothly.

You need to run it a few times for the computer to fully adjust to it, for info, but you will notice the difference straight away.

Tim

brother · 09-05-2004, 00:48

I use only optimax. I believe that it and BP ultimate are the only ones who advertise the octane rating (98). All other premium fuels need only be greater than or equal to 95. That's interesting that you like Mobil synergy (whippet_zetec that is). When I worked for Mobil (Esso really), they never specified their octane because they couldn't guarantee 98 or better (that was 2 years ago, things may have changed). I tried Mobil myself once and was disappointed with the results. Never tried Caltex, might one day.

Zetec · 09-05-2004, 20:15

I too use Caltex Vortex in my beastie, simply because of my Fuel Card being with Catlex thru Dad's work. I'm very happy with the fuel, my consumption and even Caltex pricing which ain't too bad. No problems at all.

uhzid · 09-05-2004, 21:09

i'm not really sticking with any particular brand... i just use whoever comes up first when i ran out of fuel... is it any good to stick with just one brand? also it seems i'm getting 100km per 10 ltr, is that considered as high consumption? i used to have an old v6 camary which uses about the same amount...

brother · 09-05-2004, 21:11

I get the same comsumption too - 10L/100km (purely city driving)

whippet_zetec · 09-05-2004, 21:38

Ive been recording my consumption figures and I am getting anywhere between 8.2 and 8.7 with city driving...of course consumption will always vary between driver, driving style, and conditions out on the road. The Aust.Std for the Focus is 9.0 (on the fuel sticker when you purchase one brand new Zetec model), and I think the stad for highwu driving is 6L/100Km accross the focus range and 9L/100Km in the city..