Xr6t

[len]

I am currently considering purchase of a XR6T. One the questions I have is the use of normal unleaded fuel versus premium unleaded fuel. Has anyone compared the difference in performance with the use of normal unleaded fuel. Although I understand that ford recomment use of premium unleaded fuel, does the use normal unleaded have a determintal effect? Why bother you ask? .... because I can get normal unleaded fuel significantly cheaper.

[CJF077]

Hi Len,

I think most of us on the forum havent tried normal unleaded fuel. The manual that came with the car says Premium Unleaded only. Im not game enough to put normal unleaded through the car in case of any problems. Not sure if anyone else has put it yet?

[AMoffat]

Welcome len,

I have a bike that will run on both, but use premium all the time. I think the story is that the XR6T develops less power on 92 octane. Use 95 octane and it is much happier, use 98 octane (Shell Optimax etc) and you pay $5 a tank more but reap some extra kilometers from it and the car really goes.

What does this mean.

If you want to use the turbo, use good fuel. If you are happy to punt around, or, you are stuck with no other alternative, use regular unleaded.

[Mondie]

We mostly run on ULP, but have put a few tanks of Optimax in. l havent noticed a difference but havent been really flogging the car as its still running in.

Filled up with Optimax today, it was 8.9c/lt dearer than ULP Glad l have a fuel card.

Ford say the car can run on either ULP or PULP, there is no sticker near the filler saying "Premium Unleaded Only" so l believe either is fine. There may be a performance diifference that l will have to try and feel, but if its not obvious then its not worth bothering with. And at 9c litre more for Optimax, the possibly improved economy isnt going to offset the extra cost.

[AMoffat]

Exactly my thoughts Mondie.

Give me the car and I'll confirm!

On the bike front though. I really can't tell the difference between premium and regular in the Ducati, a little better economy with the PULP.

Where as the Beemer I had before it used to ping on ULP on all but the most sedate of acceleration rates. I kept the PULP up to it. If I went off the beaten track and couldn't get PULP, I would ride accordingly with reduced movement of the right wrist.

[Mondie]

Give me the car and I'll confirm!

Hah Hah, late March isnt that far away

Our TS50 was strictly PULP only and it didnt get fed it that often (we live in the country) The windsor didnt have a knock sensor hence the reason l think it was PULP only.

Couldnt notice a difference in power or economy, nor did l ever hear it ping. l guess there is a greater chance of noticing the benefits of PULP on a turbo though.

[AMoffat]

Mondie,

That's cruel! Late March is only NINE weeks away!!!!!!!!!

On the fuel, I don't see that a turbo with moderate boost needs the added octane. A high compression motor sure but the XR6T??

[CJF077]

That was my concern Mondie if i drove the car to say Melbourne that I wouldnt be able to fill up on ULP. Have you noticed any difference at all?

[Mondie]

That was my concern Mondie if I drove the car to say Melbourne that I wouldnt be able to fill up on ULP. Have you noticed any difference at all?

Chris, PULP isnt that hard to find, and if your driving down the Hume will be easy. Where we live there is one place that has PULP, but not all the time.

PULP may make a difference, l shall alternate for several tanks and see if l can feel it. If it does, its sure to me much less than the effect of a new exhaust, extra mass of a passenger or even the loss of power on a hot day. So if its worth it even if there is an improvment will be debatable. Its probably more important to always buy your fuel from one of the majors to ensure you are getting good quality fuel than whether its ULP or PULP IMO.

[MattB]

G'day to all on my first post.

My experience on this topic has been through the Supercharged V6 in the Late model camira S which used to be the family drive. PULP was the main usage in this, however if you used ULP in it, it would go through a little more which was not noticeable unless you stuck a 15ft fibreglass boat on the back of it. Of course it would work hard regardless, you could watch the gauge go from F to E as you were driving along, less so on the PULP.

So if you want to put it through its paces, expect to pay extra at the bowser using ULP. My way of thinking would be that in the long run it would be better to use PULP regardless.