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MG MGF Technical - super unleaded

can i use super unleaded in my vvc mgf and will it make any differance to the performance
jimmy

Hi jimmy,

Yes, you can use it. You'd not get any increase in power though as the ECU will still run the engine as if you're using regular unleaded. So unless you have upgraded your ECU to one which would allow a new map to be loaded, the only benefit is the higher resistance to detonation (pre-ignition), but that's not something the K-series engine is prone to.

The super unleaded is allegedly cleaner-burning, so I guess that's a benefit too but not one that is easy to detect in return for the extra few pence per litre...

Mike Hankin

I would have thought that the car is supposed to use only premium unleaded fuel.

Here we have a label riverted on around the filler hole that says "Premium Unleaded Fuel Only"
Premium unleaded here has a 95 octane and regular unleaded has a 91 octane.

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

I only use Optimax or BP Ultima in my vvc. Tried the 95 octane Shell are selling in my SAAB & on the second fill the car started to idle very roughly.

The MG uses so little fuel that the (placebo) benefit at least in my mind is worth it. Smoother combustion might reduce the possbility of HGF
A.J. Mackew

IIRC the MGF Handbook records 95 octane as a minimum.
Huts

I use Shell Optimax.

Car feels smoother and more responsive at slower speeds.

Probably just my imagination - but who cares!

Sam
Sam Murray

I have tried the higher grades in the UK and found they made no difference to the car BUT they do dent your wallet - as was said the UK MGF is setup for 95 octane HOWEVER I have found that in France it prefers the 97 octane - so perhaps each country has different ideas as to what is 95 or 97 octane!
Ted Newman

i think my vvc runs alot smoother on bp ultima . so when my wallet likes it i do to...
alex

Tried 97 octane in Belgium and France - can't say that I noticed any benefit (but at least there, there isn't the price differential that exists here in the UK).

Not tried them since in the UK. There may be other good reasons for using Optimax or the BP equivalent that are entirely separate from octane ratings: they're said to have superior detergent and lubricating qualities that reduce wear and improve efficiency. Whether you see this in long-term use, and whether it is worth the additional cost is unclear...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2006 and 08/05/2006

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