Shell V-power And Similar Fuels

[Sump]

Hi -

Does anyone use a high RON fuel such as V-Power in their Celica GT? I'm wondering what the current concensus is on whether you get a better throttle response or increased mpg using this kind of fuel? I've read a few threads mentioning it but am just unsure of the current concensus on this.

Thanks

[EireCelica]

I drive a 1995 SS2 which was designed to run on high octane fuel, using Shell V power I am getting about 25mpg around the city compared to 21mpg on standard unleaded. Thing is over here the V power is also 95 unleaded !! Car feels happier on it. Definitly not my imagination as my Dad drove it a few weeks ago when I started to use the V Power and he commented on the difference is driving her, he didn't know that I had changed to V power. In saying all that a UK spec GT is designed to run on 95 octane so I cannot comment on any difference you may experience.

[jackie_ae]

it performs well in my car. some noticeable change in consumption.

[edamduke]

I used Tesco 99 for 6months and V-Power for a couple. Now I use standard unleaded. I'm not convinced about the difference between any of them. I think the car performed better on V-Power but that is more than likely all in my mind. However, I do keep a very detailed record of fuel consumption and have a 10000mile combined value of 31.04 (28.03 urban, 33.98extra-urban). As for petrol grades, I got 29.48 on super and 32.40 on 95. Again, this could be due to the effect it has on how heavy footed you are but may also be due to the ECU map. I also noticed that when I switched back to 95, the consumption improved over that which I originally got on 95 before using super for 8months.

The only conclusion I think I reached is that high quality fuels do care for and protect your engine thus improving your consumption when you switch back to 95. If the car was mapped on high octane I think it may be possible to get better performance and consumption but as it is not it is probably best to stick with 95 and "clean" the engine every so often with a couple of tanks of V-Power. Remember, this is only my opinion based on my car.

[Sump]

If the car was mapped on high octane I think it may be possible to get better performance and consumption but as it is not it is probably best to stick with 95 and "clean" the engine every so often with a couple of tanks of V-Power. Remember, this is only my opinion based on my car.

Thanks mate - so basically the UK 1994/1995 GT (pre-facelift) definately isn't mapped for high octane? - I'll try a few weeks on V-Power and then switch back to 95 - so far on V-Power my car seems to pull a bit "smoother" in 1st & 2nd, but again I'm not sure whether this is all in the mind, as said.

[edamduke]

Don't quote me on any info on the ECUs set up. It is perfectly happy on a range of fuels. I just wouldn't be surprised if the efficiency was optimised for 95.

[Sump]

Thanks mate, that's fine - I'd vaguely heard that the Jap GT's were honed for high octane so just checking re the UK Ones.

Thanks.

[edamduke]

That is true to a certain degree but do not get Jap fuels mixed up with ours. The way I understand it is that the octane numbers are on slightly different scales anyway.

[San0 Celica]

That is true to a certain degree but do not get Jap fuels mixed up with ours. The way I understand it is that the octane numbers are on slightly different scales anyway.

With all the hype, I tried BP ultimate unleaded on my Jap import SS2. I found that the car was more responsive, ie foot down and ooomph - there she goes. Not convinced about the economical fuel consumption as the fun factor means you tend to have a heavy foot down now and again.

I'm back on 95oct now, can't feel the difference after a week on the 98.

[Fizz]

in my old 5th gen celica many moons ago i found that using Optimax as it was known then made the power delivery smoother... dont think it was notably quicker but deffo smoother through the rev range. Also on idle it was quieter..