silvers3uk Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 I'm having some delicate conversations with my company (and its fuel cards) about the use of Super Unleaded petrol. Their point of view is that a) It costs more b) Only improves performance. Has anyone on the board received a definitive statement from Audi regarding the use of super unleaded petrol in their S3 cars? Is it optional? Will super unleaded improve economy? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Yes and Yes... your car will run quite happily on normal unleaded, BUT it won't perform to it's maximum potential on unleaded. I always use super in mine (+ optimax) so I get a RON of about 100. This helps performace I'm sure, but I also get more mpg. It works out that there is no difference in cost.. The extra mpg from super cancels out it's extra price.. so it all ends evens. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 IIRC, all Audi literature states that the S3 needs 98 octane fuel. If the tank flap says 98, then 98 it is IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorney Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Use the old 'recomended by the manufacturer' point. Audi do recommend 98 octane, all you are doing is following their guidelines. If its any consolation I use Optimax and my mpg is better with it, not much but easily enough to cover the additional cost of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvers3uk Posted January 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Yea, I noticed the audi literature specifies 98 RON fuel (super unleaded). I've been doing a bit of research, I'm no petrol head so correct me if I have made any wrong assumptions: The different RON's (95 - 98) in the UK represent different levels of anti-knock agents in the fuel. An anti-knock agent is used to delay(compression?) the ignition of the fuel in the cylinder. The greater the RON, the higher the compression available in the cylinder. The cleaner the combustion? Therefore meeting the CO2 rating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 same for me, I use OPTIMAX and the extra mpg about covers the extra cost. Not sure I notice any significant performance difference, though. sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khufu Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 The Higher the RON number, the better anti-knock properties the fuel has (prevents pinking). This will let the Anti-knock sensors / ECU advance the ignition timing as much as possible without the pistons melting, this in turn provides more power because the pistons are nearer Top Dead Centre and therefore not fighting the piston coming up as much. I too have heard good things about Optimax, I didn't get any noticable power increase but did get more MPG too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_C_Nwales Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Using optimax too and I do notice the performance difference, although I have a shit mpg anyway so not arsed about cost. Tell your company if they are going to give you a good car like the S3 then they should expect you to look after it with decent fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 OPTIMAX is meant to do wonders for keeping your engine clean etc (according to EVO magazine). sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvers3uk Posted January 3, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2003 'Fraid no company car - personal purchase for use on occasional business travel. Subsidising th stingy car allowance big time. Saw the article in evo, about the Optimax, weren't some cars more receptive to Optimax (and it's cleaning properties) more than others? Anyone stuck an endoscope (or whatever it is) into the S3's engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted January 3, 2003 Report Share Posted January 3, 2003 </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /> an endoscope (or whatever it is) [/ QUOTE ] Sorry, not sure what it's called. But if it's some kind of "Probe", your best bet would be to ask Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambaud Posted January 4, 2003 Report Share Posted January 4, 2003 SilverS3UK, It seems your employer is paying for your business fuel rather than giving you a mileage allowance? If so, you can still claim (tax free) the Inland Revenue's mileage allowances, less the amount paid by fuel card. The IR's rates for 2002-03 are 40p per mile up to 10,000 miles, then 25p per mile thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bod Posted March 14, 2003 Report Share Posted March 14, 2003 Yep agree with above more mpg not realy convinced about better performance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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