Type of gas???

[cavaret]

What type of gas are the US guys running in their cars? I know the manual recommends 95-98(I think easily available in the UK), but I just can not find that anywhere. I also know that there have been some problems with Shell having a lot of water in the mix, so what type of gas are you guys using? Mind you... for a daily driver.

[kthacher]

Shell VPower- one of the recommended Top Tier fuels. I feel that it makes a difference.

[hmp10]

I use Shell V-Power whenever possible.

Problems with water in the gas are much more likely due to the storage tanks at the station leaking or the gas being too old (premium can be a slow seller at some stations these days) than anything having to do with Shell's refining or transport. In fact, the Top Tier website (or is it the Audi owner's manual?) warns against buying gas from stations that have a low sales volume of premium. I generally try to use stations with busy pumps near an interstate or a big intersection.

[r1lee]

i believe any of the top tier detergent gasolines should be used in the FSI engines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tie...rgent_Gasoline

[cavaret]

Thanks! I have been really hesitant to fill that first tank till I knew...

[CPBRI]

Shell 93 octane V-power. Fortunately, plentiful in New England.

[hmp10]

I printed out the Top Tier list and keep it in the glove box.

When I drove the car from Vermont to Chicago, once I crossed over into New York state I could not find a Shell station to save my life and found very few until I approached Chicago. On the other hand, there were Mobil stations (not a Top Tier gas) at almost every junction.

There's a lot of regionality to brand availability, and as anyone knows who has looked at the Top Tier list, there are some surprises there. Some major brands (Mobil, BP) are not on it, and some "discount" brands are.

If you're traveling away from your normal haunts, either memorize that list or keep it handy. You'll need it.

[r1lee]

i believe some of the discount brands might be buying their gas from the top tier brands, therefore that would make sense. Just a thought though.

[smoothy]

What type of gas are the US guys running in their cars? I know the manual recommends 95-98(I think easily available in the UK), but I just can not find that anywhere. I also know that there have been some problems with Shell having a lot of water in the mix, so what type of gas are you guys using? Mind you... for a daily driver.

I think the 95-98 octane is because European gas labeling and North American gas labeling use different calculations. Most of the world uses the RON- research octane number vs. North America that uses the AKI-anti-knock index. There is a 4-5 point spread between the 2 readings.

[desperado]

I think the 95-98 octane is because European gas labeling and North American gas labeling use different calculations. Most of the world uses the RON- research octane number vs. North America that uses the AKI-anti-knock index. There is a 4-5 point spread between the 2 readings.

USA 91UL ~ ROW 95
USA 93UL ~ ROW 98

This post has more details on comparing octane numbers. The smithtex link in that post has an even better glossary at the bottom of the page.