Date:         Tue, 23 Sep 1997 00:11:47 UT
Reply-To:     Tom Brunson <TABRUN@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Tom Brunson <TABRUN@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Bad Fuel? (long)
Comments: To: TBill <tbill@STARTEXT.NET>

TBill,

I agree with you on all points. My '87 (160,000) and '91(104,000) are both
perfectly happy on 87 (pump octane) regular. "If it doesn't knock, don't knock
it." People forget that "pump" octane rating is (RON+MON)/2 - so 87 pump
octane is essentially equal to 91 RON. I've also never had injector problems
on any Bosch car since my first injected BMW in '77. Much more trouble free
than carborators were.

While my '91 (non-camper) feels OK at 70+, the '87 gets to feeling stressed
(or at least I do) above 65. If you want speed, why choose a VW? (However the
'97 VR6 camper just feels to be warming up at 70 : <2500 rpm!)

Tom
Austin
'87, '91, '97

----------
From:   Vanagon mailing list on behalf of TBill
<snip>
There is always someone who wants to argue with me, but there is NO
benefit in running a higher octane than the book calls for.  You are
just throwing your money away.  Octane SLOWS down the burn rate to
prevent knocking.  If you are not knocking, you don't need it.  And if
you are knocking, you need to check your timing and a couple of other
things.

 Is 70-75mph a healthy driving speed when on flats?

How close to wide open are you?  Quite healthy if you are not at the
limits.  If you reduce speed to 60-65, your mpg will improve
dramatically!  (or follow trucks).

TBill

***Honk if you love peace and quite***