premium vs normal fuel during run-in period of the car

rajshenoy · 16th October 2007, 12:54

As the name of the thread says, this doubt is about using the premium fuel(power, extra premium, shell super etc...) on ur new car..

I somewhere read that during run-in, it is better to use regular fuel.

as i am no expert, i am so far putting regular petrol for my swift.

but now that my car has almost crossed 3000 mark, i just wanted to know if i can now start using premium fuel..

what are the pros(pros i can think few..) and cons(I want to know if there are any..)

or should i wait for some more time before starting to use premium fuel on my car..

My observations so far(tried and tested on my bike)

I usually fill for a fixed denomination(eg: 200rs ) so if i use a shell super or HP power, the fuel quantity that goes in is less.(due to higher price)

but advantages i can think of are

1. smoother engine
2. spark plug remains clean(less carbon)
3. emission levels lower( checked this during 6 months emission test)
4. considering the fact that less fuel goes in for given amount,i still get same FE(which means, premium fuel also gives me more FE)

So can you gurus tell me the cons(if there are any of using them)

also, is it the right time to use premium fuel on my car(3K run) or should i wait for some more time...so it doesnt really matter.. how much it has run ?

vasudeva · 16th October 2007, 13:00

I also used to fill premium fuel (Rs. 1.50 costlier than the normal one) in my new Corolla. However, on the advice of Toyota's dealers in the first service, I switched back to normal.

theMAG · 16th October 2007, 13:20

Irrespective of normal vs premium, ensuring pure fuel matters most. Next of course, there are the known differences between regular and premium fuels.

rks · 16th October 2007, 13:22

I have been using Speed in my Santro for as long as I can remember. But I don't remember when exactly I made the switch to Speed, and wheter I did it during the running-in period.

In the last two years, I have been consistenly pushing my car to high speeds and it is immediately clear to me that if I use Speed from certain bunks, the pickup and top speed increase noticeably, while at other bunks I do not get the same performance.

Recently my fuel pump gave problems (jerking during acceleration) on the way to Mumbai. Must have been due to adulterated Speed. So I have currently switched to Speed 97 from the BP bunk near the inlet toll gate to the Expressway (Pune side). The Speed 97 from this bunk gives a noticeable increase in pickup and smoothness as compared to even the Speed 97 in a couple of other bunks.

I am glad that my Santro can handle the high-octane fuel and I cannot think of any disadvantages except for the high cost. I am not able to comment on the mileage. Too many variables, but I still think mileage is still slightly higher.

Unless the manufacturer has explicitly banned the use of premium fuels, I would recommend their use in almost any modern MPFI engine with an ECU.

lordofgondor · 16th October 2007, 13:39

I have rarely used premium fuels on my cars, but have been using System D + Regular diesel on my Indica from its early days and System G + regular petrol in my Esteem MPFI from day one. The advantages have been smooth running (and idling) and better FE. Not to say the peace of mind that the car's injectors would be relatively cleaner. I guess it also helps in keeping the fuel tank cleaner (but it's just a guess).

I really don't think there are any cons of using premium fuels during running-in period of the car as it has no effect on the required wear 'n tear of engine components and blending in of other moving components.

msharma_79 · 16th October 2007, 13:54

i shifted to premium petrol recently on both my cars. results are pretty good. like any layman i thought that putting a premium petrol will spoil the car.

but actually i am getting better mileage and performance from the cars. pick up is excellant now and car is running pretty smoothly.

i found xtra premium from indian oil is the best so far.

rks · 16th October 2007, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by rks

I am glad that my Santro can handle the high-octane fuel and I cannot think of any disadvantages except for the high cost. [...]
Unless the manufacturer has explicitly banned the use of premium fuels, I would recommend their use in almost any modern MPFI engine with an ECU.

One possible disadvantage in certain cars might be that the additives used in premium fuels can harm the catalytic converter. That may be one reason why some manufacturers recommend against premium fuels.

lordofgondor · 16th October 2007, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by rks

One possible disadvantage in certain cars might be that the additives used in premium fuels can harm the catalytic converter. That may be one reason why some manufacturers recommend against premium fuels.

Hey rks, how could the fuel additives harm the CC!? Do the additives get combusted and mixed in the exhaust gases or something like that? Gurus, please shed some light on this!

rajshenoy · 16th October 2007, 16:43

Thanks guys..

Any idea about what maruti recommends on Swift petrol ?

In their owners manual they mention to use only regular fuel, has anyone tried on Swift and have a good feedback ?

GTO · 16th October 2007, 17:33

Guys, premium fuel on a regular car (like the Swift) is just wating your money. Any benefits felt are more psychological than actual.

vasudeva · 16th October 2007, 17:41

As noted above, I have been filling my Corolla with IOC's normal fuel (from company owned and operated for what it is worth). I have just checked its specs and IOC says it is Grade MS91 (BS III) with a RON of 91. Toyota Corolla's owner manual also recommends RON of 91. So perhaps Toyota's service dealer was right in advising me to switch to normal. I have not noticed any difference in FE after switching from premium (for first 900 kms) to normal (now around 11500 kms on the odo).

rajshenoy · 16th October 2007, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Guys, premium fuel on a regular car (like the Swift) is just wating your money. Any benefits felt are more psychological than actual.

i liked that reply...

i went through some other threads and found that fuel such as HP power(which are regular fuel with additives) are not high octane fuel(they are only 87 octane) but they have performance boosting additives.

Do you feel that even these are useless?

I am talking about the normal fuel with additives and not the high octane fuel, which is preferred by those sports cars

GTO · 16th October 2007, 18:19

Quote:

Do you feel that even these are useless?

Absolutely. Marketing gimmicks targetted at more $$$ for the oil companies. Regular petrol is best for most cars. As themag said, just ensure that it is pure petrol and you are all set.

nssrini · 16th October 2007, 21:37

Well, as you mentioned, getting better quality of fuel from a good bunk is important & consistancy helps. However, in my earlier Baleno - I observed that IOC xtra premium did offer smoother ride compared to normal one - though it did not do wonders on FE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Absolutely. Marketing gimmicks targetted at more $$$ for the oil companies. Regular petrol is best for most cars. As themag said, just ensure that it is pure petrol and you are all set.

cyneverdie · 17th October 2007, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Absolutely. Marketing gimmicks targetted at more $$$ for the oil companies. Regular petrol is best for most cars. As themag said, just ensure that it is pure petrol and you are all set.

i just have to say man , trust me with my cars feel & my car a swift loves , LOVES speed 97 , filled up on two separate occasions and felt even slightly heard [ i am a sound engineer , so really into sound ] a definate difference in performance and smoothness especially at the red line

normally fill power which is 91 octane in mumbai and some 14 other cities

even sonax octane boost is felt & heard at all rpms , torque definately goes up as well as over all smoothness

the engine just is happier and more fun to drive

have to say i drive really hard and that my fuel system and engine is kept as clean as possible + mobil 1 + k&n , so my car would respond to an octane boost apparently very happily

i swear by this

ps i cant affford fuel period!! very very fortunately my car is an office car so i have an account at a particular pump which doesnt have SPEED at all let alone speed 97
That upsets me tremendously

Plus my FE is normally 7.80 ish with 97 at the same driving style i got 9.0 ish kmpl
thats a fact

cheers boys
cy

16th October 2007, 12:54	#1
rajshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,926 Thanked: 2,295 Times View My Garage	premium vs normal fuel during run-in period of the car As the name of the thread says, this doubt is about using the premium fuel(power, extra premium, shell super etc...) on ur new car.. I somewhere read that during run-in, it is better to use regular fuel. as i am no expert, i am so far putting regular petrol for my swift. but now that my car has almost crossed 3000 mark, i just wanted to know if i can now start using premium fuel.. what are the pros(pros i can think few..) and cons(I want to know if there are any..) or should i wait for some more time before starting to use premium fuel on my car.. My observations so far(tried and tested on my bike) I usually fill for a fixed denomination(eg: 200rs ) so if i use a shell super or HP power, the fuel quantity that goes in is less.(due to higher price) but advantages i can think of are 1. smoother engine 2. spark plug remains clean(less carbon) 3. emission levels lower( checked this during 6 months emission test) 4. considering the fact that less fuel goes in for given amount,i still get same FE(which means, premium fuel also gives me more FE) So can you gurus tell me the cons(if there are any of using them) also, is it the right time to use premium fuel on my car(3K run) or should i wait for some more time...so it doesnt really matter.. how much it has run ?
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 13:00	#2
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	I also used to fill premium fuel (Rs. 1.50 costlier than the normal one) in my new Corolla. However, on the advice of Toyota's dealers in the first service, I switched back to normal.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 13:20	#3
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Irrespective of normal vs premium, ensuring pure fuel matters most. Next of course, there are the known differences between regular and premium fuels.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 13:22	#4
rks BANNED Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,237 Thanked: 19 Times	I have been using Speed in my Santro for as long as I can remember. But I don't remember when exactly I made the switch to Speed, and wheter I did it during the running-in period. In the last two years, I have been consistenly pushing my car to high speeds and it is immediately clear to me that if I use Speed from certain bunks, the pickup and top speed increase noticeably, while at other bunks I do not get the same performance. Recently my fuel pump gave problems (jerking during acceleration) on the way to Mumbai. Must have been due to adulterated Speed. So I have currently switched to Speed 97 from the BP bunk near the inlet toll gate to the Expressway (Pune side). The Speed 97 from this bunk gives a noticeable increase in pickup and smoothness as compared to even the Speed 97 in a couple of other bunks. I am glad that my Santro can handle the high-octane fuel and I cannot think of any disadvantages except for the high cost. I am not able to comment on the mileage. Too many variables, but I still think mileage is still slightly higher. Unless the manufacturer has explicitly banned the use of premium fuels, I would recommend their use in almost any modern MPFI engine with an ECU.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 13:39	#5
lordofgondor BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: UP 16 Posts: 936 Thanked: 159 Times	I have rarely used premium fuels on my cars, but have been using System D + Regular diesel on my Indica from its early days and System G + regular petrol in my Esteem MPFI from day one. The advantages have been smooth running (and idling) and better FE. Not to say the peace of mind that the car's injectors would be relatively cleaner. I guess it also helps in keeping the fuel tank cleaner (but it's just a guess). I really don't think there are any cons of using premium fuels during running-in period of the car as it has no effect on the required wear 'n tear of engine components and blending in of other moving components.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 13:54	#6
msharma_79 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 261 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	i shifted to premium petrol recently on both my cars. results are pretty good. like any layman i thought that putting a premium petrol will spoil the car. but actually i am getting better mileage and performance from the cars. pick up is excellant now and car is running pretty smoothly. i found xtra premium from indian oil is the best so far.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 16:43	#9
rajshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,926 Thanked: 2,295 Times View My Garage	Thanks guys.. Any idea about what maruti recommends on Swift petrol ? In their owners manual they mention to use only regular fuel, has anyone tried on Swift and have a good feedback ?
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 17:33	#10
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,903 Thanked: 321,989 Times View My Garage	Guys, premium fuel on a regular car (like the Swift) is just wating your money. Any benefits felt are more psychological than actual.
	() Thanks

16th October 2007, 17:41	#11
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	As noted above, I have been filling my Corolla with IOC's normal fuel (from company owned and operated for what it is worth). I have just checked its specs and IOC says it is Grade MS91 (BS III) with a RON of 91. Toyota Corolla's owner manual also recommends RON of 91. So perhaps Toyota's service dealer was right in advising me to switch to normal. I have not noticed any difference in FE after switching from premium (for first 900 kms) to normal (now around 11500 kms on the odo).
	() Thanks