Going from Super Unleaded to Unleaded

gardner1

Ignore the dashboard figures......best way is to fill up tank to brim same petrol station and same pump.Which may sound daft but in most petrol stations the pumps can slope one or another which can mean a gallon less in tank on fill up,then run it down to when you first get warning/low fuel light and repeat 2 or 3 times to get accurate mpg

AdrianC

Nearly_Old wrote: »

I run a 2.8 Z3 set up for 98/99 so for the last 10 years I've tended to use Tesco 99 it can run on 95 but it takes a few tanks for the ECU to adjust.

Adjusting which way?

It SHOULD be adjusting downwards to the lower octane instantly, pulling ignition timing back as soon as pre-ignition is detected. Going the other way, advancing when pre-ignition isn't detected, yes - that could feasibly be slower.

aj23_2

LandyAndy wrote: »

No, but you could look at it and think 'some of these figures must be wrong' before relying on them or posting them on a forum.

Well how could they be? it's just the computer working it out. If you're doing 70mph, one assumes you believe you are because the speedo says, no?

aj23_2

Nearly_Old wrote: »

My dashboard tells me that I'm achieving 34.7mpg, when I fill the car, zero trip reading and check the mileage when I next fill up I know that I'm actually achieving 29.4mpg.

The figures generated by onboard computers are rarely accurate and it has been pointed out the figures you gave do not make sense which is not that surprising as they are computer generated.


I run a 2.8 Z3 set up for 98/99 so for the last 10 years I've tended to use Tesco 99 it can run on 95 but it takes a few tanks for the ECU to adjust.

Thanks for your polite response. It makes sense.

MEM62

aj23 wrote: »

You might call it driving like a granny, I call it being sensible. My car, if I having it Auto or Dynamic and throttle the peddle, can see the range drop in numerals of 5 every minute or so. I drive sensibly to conserve petrol because even driving normal can use a lot. It is Audi's higher performance of the standard A3 line, don't forget. It also has Quattro, so it has an All-wheel drive system which uses petrol constantly to power it and is always on.

There seems little point in having a performance car if you cannot afford to use it as such and have to go to the lengths that you do to keep your fuel costs down. Why not sell it and buy a car that you can enjoy driving? It must be frustrating when spotty 17-year olds come past your S3 in their Puegot 103s.

Takmon

aj23 wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I accelerate harder when required or when I feel like it, but just because I have a fast car, doesn't mean I have to drive fast all the time. You won't keep your licence. You say it's not built for consumption watching, then why does my car, and even more powerful cars, have Efficient modes you can engage.

They have efficient modes because they want to show higher MPG figures and lower emission figures to attract more customers. But i'm not saying this is bad thing it's obviously good they are trying to make them as fuel efficient as possible but at the end of the day to go fast it needs more fuel.

So they are aimed at people who don't worry about consumption but obviously don't want the car to waste fuel for no reason.

So like when you buy a fridge you will compare the energy usage and get one which is the most efficient. But then you shouldn't worry about how much it is using once you have it and only open the door for a few seconds to get what you want or arrange for all family members to get food at the same time to reduce the amount of times the door is open.

aj23 wrote: »

I watch my consumption because if I tear around, I'd be at the forecourt most days. Like I said, I said I have an Audi S3, not an Audi R8. I bought the car because I wanted more power when needed, I like the design, I like the sports look, and I like he options than came with it that don't come on the standard models, I like the ride quality and the overall material quality. I haven't bought the 'wrong car'. Everyone should drive sensible, so I don't know why you're peddling a 'fast car drive stupidly' agenda just because you can.

I'm not saying you should drive stupidly i'm saying you should drive exactly how you want to without even considering the fuel consumption. So if you want to accelerate fast (which can be done without breaking the speed limit or driving dangerously) but your hesitant because of the fuel it will use then unfortunately it's probably the wrong car for you.

aj23 wrote: »

Definitely wouldn't get a 'performance diesel' car (which is a bit of a cliche, because diesels aren't built for performance). Diesel costs more anyway, and is going rapidly out of fashion because of emissions and future diesel taxes. Not a good suggestion.

That may be true but you can get some decent diesel cars. If you get a good diesel engine it can still have a good amount of power and you will be able to get a much higher average MPG when you want to drive sensibly compared to your current car.

aj23 wrote: »

We are completely getting away from what I was asking, and to be honest, no one has answer it. I don't know why people on here can't answer a question.

AdrianC answered your question in the first reply. If the manual says that you can use standard fuel then there won't be a problem.

fred990

I've nearly decided which bonkers fast overpowered toy to buy to see what I've previously missed out on?
Can't wait to drive around like an old granny and see how little petrol it might run on...:rotfl:
Only problem might be every petrolhead goading at the lights....'wanna race me?'

aj23_2

MEM62 wrote: »

There seems little point in having a performance car if you cannot afford to use it as such and have to go to the lengths that you do to keep your fuel costs down. Why not sell it and buy a car that you can enjoy driving? It must be frustrating when spotty 17-year olds come past your S3 in their Puegot 103s.

Not really. Clearly most of you don't have performance cars. You don't buy one to speed everywhere. I mean, you can if you want to get caught, get points and get banned. Be my guest. When you have a decent, powerful car, you don't need to prove anything. Everyone else can see what it's capable off by the car itself.

Also, I didn't say I couldn't afford it, but at the same time I'm not going to drive around in third revving at 6,000rpm just because I can afford it. It's a combination between being sensible and and enjoying what you have and not being too wasteful, or being wasteful because you can be. Plus, it's not good for the car to constantly drive it erratically; you'll just need it repaired and serviced sooner and quicker. It actually shows a lack of care and respect.

You seem to be missing the point. When did I say I didn't enjoy driving my car? It gives me immense driving pleasure and quality.I still walk up to it and love it. I'd drive a Fiat 500 the same as I would a Ferrari. In fact, I used to have a Fiat 500, and I drive this the same (just in my S3, I can accelerate quicker, well, a lot quicker). There are very few opportunities to actually fully utilize what any car that can exceed 70mph can do. We are all supposed to abide by the same speed limits, regardless of power or speed we can achieve from the car we have.

"It must be frustrating when spotty 17-year olds come past your S3 in their Puegot 103s" - Again shows that you don't have a high performance car, and probably shouldn't have one. Are you saying that I shouldn't let a 17 year old past in an old banger to prove I'm superior in some way? Or speed off to show what the car (not me) is capable of? No, it's not frustrating. If they, or anyone, wants to overtake, the same way as when I overtake, they can. People can see my car, the badges, the 4 exhaust pipes (standard fitting). I don't need to prove anything. I've had this S3 since I was 22.

I'm actually pretty shocked by some of these comments. This is after all money saving site, and I asked a simple question about the effect of using a lesser quality fuel in my car and the effect it would have on the computer system and running. Not if I should be frustrated when a 17 year old overtakes me in an old car who has acne, what a generalization. I see more middle aged people driving more stupid than teens. Shameful.

aj23_2

Takmon wrote: »

They have efficient modes because they want to show higher MPG figures and lower emission figures to attract more customers. But i'm not saying this is bad thing it's obviously good they are trying to make them as fuel efficient as possible but at the end of the day to go fast it needs more fuel.

So they are aimed at people who don't worry about consumption but obviously don't want the car to waste fuel for no reason.

So like when you buy a fridge you will compare the energy usage and get one which is the most efficient. But then you shouldn't worry about how much it is using once you have it and only open the door for a few seconds to get what you want or arrange for all family members to get food at the same time to reduce the amount of times the door is open.



I'm not saying you should drive stupidly i'm saying you should drive exactly how you want to without even considering the fuel consumption. So if you want to accelerate fast (which can be done without breaking the speed limit or driving dangerously) but your hesitant because of the fuel it will use then unfortunately it's probably the wrong car for you.



That may be true but you can get some decent diesel cars. If you get a good diesel engine it can still have a good amount of power and you will be able to get a much higher average MPG when you want to drive sensibly compared to your current car.



AdrianC answered your question in the first reply. If the manual says that you can use standard fuel then there won't be a problem.

"I'm not saying you should drive stupidly i'm saying you should drive exactly how you want to without even considering the fuel consumption." - But I do. I drive safely and sensibly. I throttle the pedal more as and when required.

AdrianC

aj23 wrote: »

Not really. Clearly most of you don't have performance cars. You don't buy one to speed everywhere. I mean, you can if you want to get caught, get points and get banned. Be my guest. When you have a decent, powerful car, you don't need to prove anything. Everyone else can see what it's capable off by the car itself.

People can see my car, the badges, the 4 exhaust pipes (standard fitting). I don't need to prove anything.

Ah. It's all about the pose value. Gotcha.

I've had this S3 since I was 22.

<unsurprised>

This is after all money saving site, and I asked a simple question about the effect of using a lesser quality fuel in my car and the effect it would have on the computer system and running.

And that's long since been answered, together with clarification as to the reality of the figures you're working from.

Our pleasure.