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Was using "normal" 4* Shell until they started giving away the Ferraris, got nagged by my 12 year old son to get him some, all his school pals had some, so, started using it and I must say I have noticed there is definitely an improvement in acceleration and overall performance of my car.

I've always thought these were marketing gimmicks in the past, but I must say this time "It does exactly what it says on the tin !!"

No noticeable difference in MPG

Anyone else share my view ?

Could not agree more. I use it in my wifes car as well. better power and economy to boot....

Using a 98/99 octane fuel in ANY FSI engine gives not only more power than using 95 octane but also better fuel economy - up to 10%.

This is because the higher octane fuels are also lower sulphur which means the first stage cat (that absorbs excess NOX) is less "poisoned" by sulphur products so the engine has to come out of lean-burn mode less often to clean the cat.

Sorry guys O/T
Dave, you have PM's from me.

Must add that I think the '6 definately performs better on the higher RON juice, even though mine isn't FSI technology.

Not to be too blunt, you are a fool not to run high octane fuel in your RS4 .. I posted a thread on Tyresmoke which provides some insight

I thought we had to run on high octane fuel and only use normal tat in emergencies only.

lma07 wrote:I thought we had to run on high octane fuel and only use normal tat in emergencies only.

Exactly... Andy's point I think...?

States specifically in the handbook and behind fuel flap that 97 (min) octane fuel is the norm - 95 octane in emergencies ONLY and refuel with 97 (min) as soon as...

States specifically in the handbook and behind fuel flap that 97 (min) octane fuel is the norm - 95 octane in emergencies ONLY and refuel with 97 (min) as soon as...

Same for the RS6 too.

GardinerG wrote:

States specifically in the handbook and behind fuel flap that 97 (min) octane fuel is the norm - 95 octane in emergencies ONLY and refuel with 97 (min) as soon as...

Same for the RS6 too.

True - applies to all RS models (at the very least; probably S models too...)

So... if you're not already using high octane fuel in your RSx... you should start as soon as...

The "when am I allowed to use 95 octane" thread is one of those things that comes back every few months ... and there's always some people that post that 95 is for use in EMERGENCIES only.

Well go read the handbook, the notice on the fuel flap, the hardback RS4 book, ....

NONE of them use the word EMERGENCY. The true position is that 97 octane is recommended but that 95 octane CAN be used (with loss of performance) if 97 is not available. There is NO requirement to refill with 97 ASAP.

Having said that, as I said in my earlier post, the benefits of better performance and lower running costs (unless the price difference between 95 & 97 is greater than 10% i.e. 12p per litre in the UK at the moment) mean that to use anything except 97+ octane is silly.

I use VPower because as a member of the Shell VPower Club I get discount vouchers saving 2p per litre.

When I was speaking to Doug (MRC) during a health check on my '6 he talked about her actual timings and I was advised not to use 95, but if I did not to thrash it. He gave the technical reasons for it, but I can't remember the exact words (something to do with the car's ability to <beep> the timing to stop pinking I believe, but don't quote me on that ).

PetrolDave wrote:NONE of them use the word EMERGENCY. The true position is that 97 octane is recommended but that 95 octane CAN be used (with loss of performance) if 97 is not available. There is NO requirement to refill with 97 ASAP.

I have to disagree with you PetrolDave – my B5 RS4 handbook clearly states (and I quote)…

Fuel
Premium unleaded petrol 98 RON (Super Plus)

If premium unleaded petrol with 98 RON is not available, the engine can also be run on premium unleaded petrol with at least 95 RON as an emergency measure. In this case only use moderate engine speeds and a light throttle. Avoid using full throttle wherever possible. Fill up with 98 RON premium unleaded petrol as soon as possible.

(Apologies for poor pic quality...)

Marcus

mbelle wrote:my B5 RS4 handbook clearly states (and I quote)

I don't doubt that for the B5 RS4, but since this is the B7 RS4 forum and we're talking about the B7 RS4 I don't see it's relevant...

And the B7 RS4 handbook does NOT state that.

Fair enough

Yeh there is definately a difference. My family used to be involved in the Shell MotoGP team and we were there when they tested the 'Optimax' (as it was back then) before they put it on the market against normal fuel in the Bikes. Lap times were quicker for certain, also there was engine improvements. (although dont ask me to quote lap times etc as i wasnt there! lol).