On the bright side at least the Aussies use the same RON rating as the UK/EU

Lovely 100 & 100+ Winter grades in Europe for not silly prices. 

In Italy near the factories and test tracks 102 ron Shell Pump fuel.  This allowed the misleading Shell v-power advert with F1 cars.

 

I used to run 102 ron Carless Hiperflo 250 for special occasions in my Twinchargers.

Double the price of Tesco Momentum 99, but then man maths has me working that out as much the same as running a 12 mpg car.

 

I used to run LPG V8,s on LPG and that was half the cost of petrol but obviously used more litres, but not double and LPG is 100 + octane. 

7 hours ago, LuxoviaRS said:

Seriously, I'm referring to carbon build up in intake valves in direct injection engines. 

I thought the 1.8 and 2.0 FSI engines in the Octavia have a 5th injection in the inlet manifold to avoid this issue?

 

My previous car was a direct injection 4.2V8 with some owners complaining of power loss due to carbon buildup, but on proper investigation the power loss was due to vacuum leaks in the variable inlet flap system. So my experience is that power loss due to carbon buildup is greatly overstated.

Depends where you look as to what answer you get, the internet always offers a choice of answers (note I have not double/treble-checked this and it is copyright 2019). - https://www.fcai.com.au/environment/can-my-vehicle-operate-on-ethanol-blend-petrol

 

Most of the stuff about ethanol causing trouble with rubber and stuff in UK comes from old-farts not running, their over-priced, over-valued old cars called "classics" or not running them enough and having rubber parts on the car as old as them.  I can say that as I was an old-fart running various over-priced, over-valued old cars called "classics" for 30+ years difference was I actually ran the cars, as dailies, work, commute, holidays, club tours, etc. so I saw and heard all the ethanol doom stories.

 

Was it about 30 years ago the same thing with unleaded petrol ruining the engines, probably from the same old-farts but they were 30 years younger and they probably had some of the exact same "classic" cars when moaning about the ethanol that didn't get ruined by the unleaded.

 

Going back the last few year to about 20 years ago the problem was the introduction of E5 and E10 but the ****-poor Chinese rubbish rubber imperial fuel hose and in other "classic" car parts.

 

Each to their own, but why bother having a VRS petrol or diesel model and not going for the better petrol and diesel fuels (yes I do know why some do it but not so many)..   

Edited 1 April, 20242 yr by nta16

8 hours ago, nta16 said:

Again, you posted as I was typing the first bit of this post (my posts are often (one-finger) typed in stages whilst not multi-tasking) .

 

Prevention, well perhaps partial at least, is better than needing a cure, as I've put above try to have things as (reasonably) clean as possible to help keep things as (reasonably) clean as possible for as long as possible, this will also give you better performance which includes relative good fuel consumption.

 

(after seeing your post now).

Not sure why you have a VRS model but that's your business, I was going to put about V8s and fuel consumption but won't now given your concern with the Octavia's consumption. 😆

 

I'm with you on toll roads though I have used them, and been persuaded (told) to use them by my boss.  😉

 

Given the low speeds unless you need lugging power wouldn't a smaller more economical engine be better (don't you get the smaller and IMO better Japanese engines and cars there any more (or Chinese for the coal).

 

For the city the stop/start might be useful for fuel consumption and emissions and perhaps autobox and most of the other intrusive driver "aids",  get the car's computers programs working for you as they'll have you working for them, particularly if you upset them (by letting the battery get too low, even if the car starts and the lights seem bright enough and there are no warning messages or light yet) the heat much above 20c can be literally draining on the battery.

 

For economy and spirited/"fast" driving, wear and tear on the car's parts, components and systems it's a lot about the driver's driving technique and style (I say this as a not particularly good driver).  One of the best tuning aids for the car after or possibly before, full and proper servicing, maintenance and repair of the whole car is driver training and it can be transferred to other cars at no cost or loss.  That goes that goes against the macho minds over here too.  😆

 

I used to see that some in Aus ran their tyres at higher pressures than we do here and what is recommended in the Owner's Manuals, and I've no idea of how they interpreted when the tyres were "cold" but tyres pressures can have an influence on fuel consumption as well of course carrying unnecessary weight, make them walk, 😁 tools, junk, or unnecessary items on the car that increase drag, having lots of electrical items running.

 

Having done a lot of the economical driving and mostly urban city driving you then need to give the car blow-out runs (and a bit more for VRS types), particularly if it's diesel or petrol with GPF negating at least some of the fuel consumption driving.  I once done a 200+ mile (320+ km) drive with a 100 m section at 50mpg (5.65 l/100km) when testing engine and carbs set up and another section when my mate joined us at 25mpg (11.3 l/100km), first at well below legal motorway speed limit and second normal motorway speed, you can have it both ways but not at the same time.  🙂

 

Read all the above and noted. Thanks again.  Some sound advice there. 

 

I hope you're still not typing lol

 

Yes prevention is key here,  of course I'm not talking about unnecessary wasteful and money wasting procedures. 

 

Lol you and I both.  No honestly I love the Octavia wagon it's a beautiful car to drive,  have managed to take it on the open road and it just purrs gave a return of about 6.3l/100km. I just want to look after it properly.

 

Probably was not the best decision getting a turbo and expecting good fuel economy, especially in these low speeds in traffic urban busy streets so yes I agree but I have it now. So until I get rid of it I have to put up with it good or bad

 

Sure I never said I was a perfect driver lol I'm sure i can learn some skills that would be useful. i B think with over 25 years of driving experience  I am doing ok never really had major issues.  

 

Mine are at around 39psi had them pumped up to that when we went away for a long road trip, haven't checked them since,  🙃  I guess I better have a look at them 😄. I normally keep mine at 36 but i think I've read others have them even higher in 40s. No no tools or junk in my car,  I keep it pretty clean,  no unnecessary weight. 

 

Yes it's these blow-out runs I'm wondering where and when I can do them.  What with work and other commitments plus only having access to the car 3 or maybe 4 days,  not to mention people frustrate me with their snail paced speed all around me nearly all the time, sitting at 10 or even 20km below the speed limit blocking the way, taking their sweet time. Oh yes now I remember that's when I have my blow- out runs 😂. 

 

Yes the fuel economy will suffer even more with blow out runs.  True but they are necessary or at least recommended for the vrs. 

City for me is average at about 12.0. Yes true I agree 👍 

 

 

7 hours ago, Winston_Woof said:

whats different between your E10 and the rest of the worlds E10?

Almost sounds like a FUD type statement (although ther eis a grain of truth it would appear)


https://heycar.com/uk/guides/e-10-fuel

I believe it's the low RON rating at 94. All I know is in was told that it would not be good for the car and I would void my warranty. So I just stick to 95 or 98 on some occasions.

7 hours ago, Winston_Woof said:

or if you prefer check on an Aussie site

https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/e10-fuel/e10-compatibility-check

Thats interesting

Whats different about down under?

 

Yeah it's annoying because I have to fork out a lot more at the pump.  E10 can be much cheaper up to 20 c/litre 

6 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

I thought the 1.8 and 2.0 FSI engines in the Octavia have a 5th injection in the inlet manifold to avoid this issue?

 

My previous car was a direct injection 4.2V8 with some owners complaining of power loss due to carbon buildup, but on proper investigation the power loss was due to vacuum leaks in the variable inlet flap system. So my experience is that power loss due to carbon buildup is greatly overstated.

I am not sure, it may. I'll have to investigate, never heard of it having an extra injection . 

 

Ok noted I'll keep that in mind too. Mine is fine at this point.  That's interesting thanks for letting me know.  .  

7 hours ago, LuxoviaRS said:

,  not to mention people frustrate me with their snail paced speed all around me nearly all the time, sitting at 10 or even 20km below the speed limit blocking the way, taking their sweet time.

 

 

 

Back in 2013 I spent just under 3 weeks riding a CBR1100XX in an approx 4500-5000km figure of eight between Sydney, Brisbane (inland via the Oxley on the way up,coast road on way down)  & Appolo bay (again mostly inland via the Putty Rd on way down, coast road back up) I can confirm that  around 99% of Aussies drtive at a snails pace.

What's really annoying are the ones (and there were a lot of them)  that when you get to a passing place on a single track road following a truck travelling 5-10kph below the speed limit still wont go past the speed limit to overtake!!!


Not my actual route, just a rough indication for those not familiar with down under. OG plan was to go through the Snowy Mountains on the way towards Melbourne but the roads were closed due to late snow.

 

@LuxoviaRS   I would investigate and take 7 years doing it while you have a manufacturers warranty & maybe when that has expired get in the Professional.

 

 

 

An old video but Scotty as straight talking as ever.  My old neighbour used to tell me about having to de-carbonise old engines regularly because the oils and petrols weren't so good a long time back, and Scotty in another video on cars not having engine oil filters and "Pur-O-Lator"  (pure oil later) oil filter being invented (in 1922/3, Purolator now part of Mann-Hummel, a twist to the usual take-over story).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIycEyNci1o

 

6 hours ago, Winston_Woof said:

Back in 2013 I spent just under 3 weeks riding a CBR1100XX in an approx 4500-5000km figure of eight between Sydney, Brisbane (inland via the Oxley on the way up,coast road on way down)  & Appolo bay (again mostly inland via the Putty Rd on way down, coast road back up) I can confirm that  around 99% of Aussies drtive at a snails pace.

What's really annoying are the ones (and there were a lot of them)  that when you get to a passing place on a single track road following a truck travelling 5-10kph below the speed limit still wont go past the speed limit to overtake!!!


Not my actual route, just a rough indication for those not familiar with down under. OG plan was to go through the Snowy Mountains on the way towards Melbourne but the roads were closed due to late snow.

 

I think it's all those speed cameras that are everywhere that has scared people to snails pace, whether it's 99% i don't know.  I myself use the gps speed and adjust my speed to suit that which i set 2 or 3 over, which means i pass most other motorists with a few passing me. I have never gotten booked and I've done many trips including Sydney to Melbourne, Sydney to Frazer island, Brisbane etc as I'm within the speed limit and only when overtaking do i exceed it.  

 

Yes that annoys me too. You really want to pass and I find a lot of time also those on the slow lane suddenly speed up as well,  so you need to speed up 20 km over. It's like all this time you're sitting at 90km and now you decide to speed up..

Edited 2 April, 20242 yr by LuxoviaRS

20 years ago we were on one of our multi-marque "classics" and sportscars club's weekend tours away in Suffolk, England, an area quite rural and near and on the the east coast where things are laidback and people go to retire.  The villages had 20mph (32kph) limits which was fine but new (-ish?) to us at the time but also the roads between them were down to 40mph (64kph), instead of 60mph (96kph), which was unusual.  Even on the Saturday (or any other day I guess) we encountered elderly local "Sunday drivers" which was fine.  I couldn't get by one and we dutifully followed at below 40mph (64kph) on the road between villages, which was fine.  When we got to the villages we obviously slowed (even more) to 20mph (32kph) to watch the old couple sail on through the village at their below 40mph but well above 20mph.  By the time we got out of the village having stuck to the speed limit the elderly couple were well ahead and by the time we caught up nowhere to overtake and back into a village, us at 20mph them at below 40mph . . . not so fine. 🙂

 

This Saturday we ventured over the county boundary into the posh area of North Oxfordshire, back roads so they wouldn't notice us, and the cut across country road was now limited to 50 mph (80kph) and all villages 20mph (32kph), last time were on that road not too many years back it was at National Speed Limit (single-lane)  60mph (96kph) and 30mph (48kph).  Must be all these really heavy and large (even "small") modern cars with overpowered engines and driver aids, robbing drivers of driving abilities and common sense that need restricting.  😁

 

3 hours ago, LuxoviaRS said:

I think it's all those speed cameras that are everywhere that has scared people to snails pace, whether it's 99% i don't know.  I myself use the gps speed and adjust my speed to suit that which i set 2 or 3 over, which means i pass most other motorists with a few passing me. I have never gotten booked and I've done many trips including Sydney to Melbourne, Sydney to Frazer island, Brisbane etc as I'm within the speed limit and only when overtaking do i exceed it.  

 

Yes that annoys me too. You really want to pass and I find a lot of time also those on the slow lane suddenly speed up as well,  so you need to speed up 20 km over. It's like all this time you're sitting at 90km and now you decide to speed up..

I kept scaring the crap out of the guys I was riding with by riding like I was back home ;o)

There are a couple of factors that would lead Skoda to specifying a 95 Ron minimum in Australia but basically it comes down to the recognised poor quality of our petrol.

 

The current general Australian requirements are that our 91 Ron fuel can have up to 150 ppm of Sulphur while 95 and 98 Ron petrol can have up to 50 ppm. Compare this to Europe and the US where the petrol is limited to 10 ppm of Sulphur. 

Ethanol is added to our cheap 91 RON fuel (which can boost it to 94 RON) but the quantity added is notoriously fickle so it will potentially have the highest sulphur and not necessarily meet the RON rating.

The sulphur content of our base fuel would destroy a ppf in a very short time.

 

It was the same with sulphur in diesel; in the 90's it was about 10,000 ppm, from 2002 its was reduced to 500 ppm and then in 2009 it was reduced to internationally recognised 10ppm which then allowed a flood of good European diesel engines to enter our market.

 

The Australian government has pledged to introduce legislation to reduce sulphur in petrol to 10ppm this year but it will probably be half-arsed about dealing with RON standards and use of Ethanol.

Ethanol has patchy history here with shonky petrol retailers, and shonky ethanol producers making shonky donations to shonky state government parties about accepting substandard application of ethanol to petrol. I am afraid that corruption is rife at State government level.

Done correctly there seems to be no problem with putting upto 10% ethanol in petrol as long as there is a guaranteed minimum octane as in UK/Europe and it is transported and stored correctly. 

 

I'm not sure whether @LuxoviaRS 's RS has a ppf fitted or not, although I know the Superb 208 sold here did, but yeh I'd avoid our E10 like the plague until there is some clear resolution from the government(s).

 

It was my belief (although not 100% certain) the RS did still have the dual fuel system with both multi-point and direct injection which would definitely minimise carbon build up on the inlet valves.

My 1.4tsi with only the direct injection system is 10 years old and has done 105,000 km and is not showing any indication that there is any carbon build up on our fuels. I only use 95 RON and the car spends >95% of its time in urban areas which accounts for about 80% of the distance travelled.

 

 

A couple of lifetimes ago IIRC (always doubtful) the Japanese cars ran on 2-star UK petrol (see below).

 

Didn't Aus used to import (higher quality*) Japanese/Asian vehicles, what made them go over to (lower quality*) German cars?

 

* Note, I'm a rarity on this site as I've never been a VW fan (other than Mk1 Golf Gti and some old older BMWs) but I did own three (proper) Skodas in the UK in the 1980s when the Newspapers had their sheep reader turn the marque into literally laughing stock, possibly because of the low retail selling price and longer warranty period than the accepted marque that advertised in their "news" papers - so I've paid my dues (some of the jokes going about then were very funny). 😄

 

1 hour ago, nta16 said:

A couple of lifetimes ago IIRC (always doubtful) the Japanese cars ran on 2-star UK petrol (see below).

 

Didn't Aus used to import (higher quality*) Japanese/Asian vehicles, what made them go over to (lower quality*) German cars?

 

* Note, I'm a rarity on this site as I've never been a VW fan (other than Mk1 Golf Gti and some old older BMWs) but I did own three (proper) Skodas in the UK in the 1980s when the Newspapers had their sheep reader turn the marque into literally laughing stock, possibly because of the low retail selling price and longer warranty period than the accepted marque that advertised in their "news" papers - so I've paid my dues (some of the jokes going about then were very funny). 😄

 

 

 

Heated rear window to keep your hands warm pushing it?

4 hours ago, Stonekeeper said:

Heated rear window to keep your hands warm pushing it?

Now that was ironic and doubly funny as those that repeated it possibly didn't know or forgot that some BL cars at least were devoid of such luxuries.

 

Best one I heard was when I got my first speeding ticket, in 1985 in my 1985 120LS (4-speed) Estelle 2, the pedestrian copper waved me down at the roadside and apologised for having to report me but locals had been complaining, I didn't say so but was glad he'd pulled me over where he did as I was yet to get into 3rd off the lights, a wag at work later said "wot, did he write down your VIN number as you passed him at the roadside", one of the most original and best I heard.  Doesn't look so good on paper and perhaps you had to be there to get the off the cuff speed, wit and intonations of it.

 

I'm too young for 1976 driving and a new 1979/80 car so don't really know the 110R but I was once given as a courtesy car, not that they really done such things then, the Dealership (backstreet, lowly, friendly garages unlike the VWSKoda ever (but never) changing ones now) "flagship of the fleet" 105 Mk1 Estelle with huge mileage which I was told they couldn't kill despite giving it no attention, it was great fun slow but very willing and always trying, probably down in the 30s for hp, but a relatively light car (unlike lardy German stuff and modern cars) but boy was the steering stiff and heavy, even for the time and for such a relatively light car.  I was overtaking something on a dual-carriageway when it cut out and sailed to a stop, no fuel.  When I moaned about this when I returned the garage co-owner said "I told you to ignore the fuel gauge not the red low warning light".  I was young having some fun, the Estelles were great fun, particularly the 2s and with wide (185/70r13 IIRC) Goodyear Eagle tyres, easy to embarrass a de-badged (ETA: BMW), even in those days, (probably 1.6) on the back roads.   

Edited 7 April, 20242 yr by nta16
forgot to put the make! BMW

On 01/04/2024 at 09:13, LuxoviaRS said:

Hi I was wondering 

 

Is it worth getting a turbo engine professionally decarbonised. If so when should one do it and how often. My car has just over 7000 km and still has approx 8 months to the next service. How much does it cost about.  I'm in Australia. 

No mate, leave it alone. Just have it serviced per the schedule, absolutely avoid e10 (in any car), use 95 or preferably 98 if you can afford it.