Picked up my first XR6T about a month ago (2004 model, no mods, stock standard). Owners handbook recommends 95RON minimum. Chatting to another XR6T owner last weekend & he reckons his runs AOK on 91RON. Whats the general consensus on this?

98 or out the gate

98 or out the gate

it runs on 91 octane fuel, but goes better on 95 or 98. you get better mileage from 98.

the motor has knock sensors so there is no worry driving on 91, especially if you just putt it around. If you give it a bootfull, then it makes sense to use 98 - bit more response and better mileage.

There was a thread on here lately about the difference in price - sometimes up to and above $10 more per tank to use premium.

However I just used 43 litres and did 430kms (10l/100kms) using premium in Sydney traffic including mostly 10 minute trips to the shops, and a couple of trips down Mona Vale rd (90-100kmh), as well as some thirsty take offs.

Similar driving on 91 was up around 13l/100kms. Not scientific or accurate tests at all really, but I'm sold on using premium for response and mileage.

If u buy a performance car and put sh#t fuel in it u have rocks in your head. I would never even think of putting anything other than 98 in my T!!!!!

Good for you mate. Not all of us have everyday access to 98 though.

I agree with Jono on this one Biggles

However I just used 43 litres and did 430kms (10l/100kms) using premium in Sydney traffic including mostly 10 minute trips to the shops, and a couple of trips down Mona Vale rd (90-100kmh), as well as some thirsty take offs.

Similar driving on 91 was up around 13l/100kms. Not scientific or accurate tests at all really, but I'm sold on using premium for response and mileage.

Bit far fetched...

I have a close family member who works at Ford(performance/emissions), he said Ford do all of their testing on regular unleaded and reckons 95,98 RON etc, are just not worth it. It is true that economy is improved, but not to the stage where your gaining cost wise due to the price these fuels. Performance gain is so, so slight that you'd never notice it... We are actually lucky that such a great performance engine doesn't require premium fuel, more and more cars these days are developed for premium only.

Marty

Of course Ford want you to believe that their cars run fine on 91. The reality is 91 is horse piss, the best we can get is 98, and 15 years ago that would have been a poor fuel.

As far as no dicernable performance or economy, around town is to hard to determine, but do a long trip and mate you will see muchly improved milage.

Scotty

PS I realise that there was bad gramma.

Heres a saying my old man used to say to me when trying to do up cars.

"Your trying to run a rolls royce on push bike money"

In other words you buy a performance car you pay more, for tyres, fuel, oil, filters, brakes....where do I stop?

Marty

Of course Ford want you to believe that their cars run fine on 91. The reality is 91 is horse piss, the best we can get is 98, and 15 years ago that would have been a poor fuel.

I'm not telling you what 'Ford' have told me, I'm telling you that Ford do all of their testing with the XR6T on regular unleaded.. that's just fact. I have an immediate family member who has been involved in performance/emissions testing on all of the XR6Ts. His opinion is that your throwing money away... not my opinion, his. The "horse piss" as you call it is the same as 98 essentially, it just gets an additive as I understand.

Like I said, I'm sure there is an economy gain but this won't be good enough to warrant the extra price your paying so its a dull argument. If your worried about economy, 1 - Why buy a performance car, 2 - Why buy expensive fuel? The performance gain using 98 is so slight that there are bound to be other variables to do with individual car, which will make more of a difference... no 2 cars are tuned exactly the same etc. 2 brand new XR6Ts out of the showroom, 1 is just as likely to be quicker on regular than another on premium etc. due to factors other than fuel.

I agree totally that its worth spending more on tyres, brakes etc if we're talking performance cars... Premium fuel just isn't as beneficial as the masses believe in regards to this car. Personally, I think this is great on Fords behalf. Fuel consumption seems to be discussed regularly on this forum, yet everyone seems set that 98 is miles and away a better fuel and willing to pay marginally more... very ironic. Some even think it's better for their engines longevity given the 'premium' tag???? Not so.

Just a perspective from someone in the know. I think a lot of this talk "horse piss" v "98 super fuel" is done at the bar or on the tradesman's lot.