Regular or Premium Fuel?

[VincentDC]

Hello,

Can I use regular unleaded in the Eurovan? I’ve seen data on the internet suggesting yes, but also see that premium is recommended? Can I get away with just using regular 87 octane? I ask because CA prices are ridiculous but I still want to purchase a EV.

Thank you!

[mikemtnbike]

I am yet to put premium in my Eurovan- 1995, so the 5 cylinder, all later models are a different motor.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Abscate]

You can burn 87 in the later VR6 engine if you drive it like an adult. I go to 93 when I tow the beast , otherwise it’s 87…

_________________
.ssS!

[Glenn]

Most modern EFI cars with computers have multiple maps to deal with grades of fuel.

You'll bet better performance with a higher grade of fuel but it will run with a lower grade... just lower performance.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[VincentDC]

Thank you all for your input!

[VolksVelo]

[OB Bus]

Mid grade at the least in our 2002 EVC. Premium for heavy loads and/or hot weather. Anything lower knocks/pings and performance and fuel economy goes down.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[IdeaNerd]

When I looked into this sometime back, I came across Pop Top Heaven's input on the subject:

---------------------------------------
Fuel Requirements

Premium vs lower grade fuels in the Eurovan. The bottom line is fuel economy. if you use premium fuel in your Eurovan, you will get better gas mileage (up to 38% increase in MPG over using 87 Octane). Eurovans have an Electronic Control Module computer that will adjust the engine to help maintain the best performance based on the quality of fuel in the tank. The use of premium is recommended for these engines to achieve top performance and fuel economy, but it is not required.
---------------------------------------

from here:
https://www.poptopheaven.com/about_campers.asp

If I recall correctly, I think I also found something indicating they did some actual firsthand tests and data collection on the MPG differences as well, but I may be incorrect about that.

FWIW...

[MrPulldown]

You can burn regular but you will not save any money due to the decrease of mpgs
_________________
2002 EVC

[Endopotential]

To argue the contrary -

Higher octane does prevent knock and can improve performance, but doesn't improve mpg

Google's gotta be right, no?

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28565486/honda-cr-v-vs-bmw-m5-ford-f-150-dodge-charger/
"Raising the octane rating (also known as the anti-knock index) doesn't change the energy content of a gallon of gasoline. A higher octane rating indicates greater resistance to knock, the early combustion of the fuel-air mixture that causes cylinder pressure to spike. When higher-octane fuel is flowing through its injectors, the engine controller can take advantage of the elevated knock threshold and dial in more aggressive timing and higher boost pressures to improve performance."[/url]

https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/mon...1cb1e04763

https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles-eg/high-o...leage.html

[hmbrgrs]

changing timing to avoid knock can impact efficiency significantly.

[mikemtnbike]

Just noting that all this stuff about computers adjusting to octane rating and so forth only applies to vr6 gassers. The 5 cylinder is digifant and it self adjusts nothing to my knowledge. I welcome being corrected.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Abscate]

[Abscate]

[TheOneTrueQuux]

[MrPulldown]

I have run 1000s of miles tracking mpgs of the high and low octane fuels. It defiantly makes a difference. I am one that preaches not using high octane in low compression engines. But with the VR6 this is not the case. ~19 vs 16 mpg between the 2. With low oct you have to push deeper into the throttle to get the same acceleration.
_________________
2002 EVC

[EuroTec]

[JFBx]

Something to remember (especially for the "....but, but the VW engineers!" crowd). The 24v engine is designed assuming high octane gas will be used. Relying on the knock sensor is unwise because it reacts after the fact.

(That said, I did indeed drop from 93 to 91 during fill-ups due to the recent price spike to save a few dollars.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvhaPLuTPI
_________________
'02 Weekender, '02 S6 MT, '06 A3 3.2

[volkybus]

My 2 cents.If I use reg gas my van breaks down so I use hi test.My van sits for long periods of time, so that's probably why. Its a 93 w 108 HP engine.

[Bonesberg55]

Unless your engine was designed to use premium fuel, you're throwing your money away. The cost differential never makes it economical to use higher octane when it isn't necessary. In fact, I recently got 2 mpg LESS using premium instead of regular and it was pure gas. I only got it because premium was the same price due to an oversight at the gas station. E85 is another joke.