Originally Posted by The Disco Volante
I don't think your friends are right. Any half decent car should run better on 98 octane fuel rather than 95 octane, and I have noticed an appreciable difference on two cars. It is not just specialist Asian cars that use 98 octance. Most BMWs are designed for it - they are capable of running on 95 octane, but performance/efficiency will suffer as a result. If you are driving anything good, it makes no sense at all to put crap petrol in it - particularly not to claim miles.
People are sceptical about whether the fuel additives that Shell/BP add to their fuel improve efficiency, and they may be right about this. But there is a clear difference between 95 and 98 octane petrol
Now, (this gives me more pleasure than you can tell
- Him Indoors does not agree with you! Everybody has their pet economies and his always used to be petrol. He has since heard from the Met engineers, and from the motoring correspondents of the BBC (not that Clarkson creature) and
The BBC that Shell Optimax (and Texaco premium) is very beneficial to the car engine. I understand that although it is higher octane it does clean the engine and leave less deposits. What I do know is that since he got me to start using it in my GTI - I am doing more miles per litre. I keep a petrol book and fill it in religiously. I am informed that supermarket petrol is for rent-a-cars and nothing else (I argued that Tescos in Camberley used BP as I saw the bowser refilling the station there (super M&S next door OT). I was told that this was the case but not anymore (?). I also get 1.5les for every litre on my Optimax card (by invitation only - Oh Come on allow me a little elite status on something even if it is as sad as a petrol card) and points ony Amex card as I pay with that. Learning from you aren't I. No, I do not have a Teco credit card. I have more than enough thank you very much.
So, if you see a glamourous blond BA crew member filling a flame red GTI on your next trip to Tesco- it is not me! Nor is it anyone that you may have sporting hair net, hair curlers, wrinkled tights and no make up.
And yes, I do know about the workings of the internal combustion engine, and yes Him Indoors undertakes all oil, water, washer fluid, and tyre checks. Why else do you think that I married him? His money?