Just a quick question for those that have took their cars across the water....
How hard is it to find decent fuel over in Europe? My car is (and going to be) mapped on V-Power and find it hard enough to find it in this country
Are the pumps labelled according the the RON? Can you even get 98+ over there?
A switchable map is an option as I'm getting Syvecs fitted week.
Any opinions guy/girls?
Many thanks,
Paul.

 

What countries are you heading to?
I travel a lot through Switzerland and Germany. They have shell Vpower Racing which is 100
France is 99 from Shell as far as I remember.
I have found most other garages have super unleaded, and it's usually 98


Ps forgot to say, that's just where I've been driving. I'm sure it's different depending on where you're driving.
I found the international Shell websites handy when I was in your situation. They have route planners showing where all their stations are.

 

Only issues we've found is Belgium, their V-Power is a lower Ron it appears. Otherwise 98+ is easy to find! mine runs a dream on 102!

 

I am off to France tomorrow; Shell there is definitely 97 ron in France. Duncan knocked back the timing for me.

 

France is a BIG country fuel quality can differ a lot from Region to region, I've got a place in Brittany and I really struggle to even find 97ron in most places.

I always carry octane booster in the car with me when abroad and will be thinking of getting a "low boost" map when my next set of mapping is done.

Probably different for other regions of France but in Brittany I doubt you'll find and 99ron.

A handy hint I've found is (although obviously more expensive) motorway petrol stations tend to have the higher rated fuel.

Tom

 

THIS

Try and plan your fueling a bit ahead. If you know you are heading off piste then fuel up on an autoroute/main road where they stock the higher RON. You are never too far from a main road which will have decent fuel. The main place we encountered problems was up in the lakes in Italy. France generally ok.

 

I also found that once I left the main routes and into the countryside the petrol stations were closed from midday to two or three in the afternoon. PLAN AHEAD.

 

http://www.shell.com/global/products...or/online.html

This may help.

 

Mine was mapped on V-Power, (I wish it wasn't, now, since the nearest Shell station to me now is 30 miles), and runs quite happily on French98 octane**, which is USUALLY available at ALL garages, including supermarkets, where you get the best prices.

BUT: there have been rumblings about phasing out 98 octane, the petrol companies "Nobody needs it any more......".

** but I DO have a Knock Link at eye level, so back off as soon as I see activity.

 

Run my WRX Hawkeye on 98 ron over here (France - Loire Valley/Le Mans), don't think I've ever seen a 99 ron in this area.

 

AFAIK, Shell V-Power is 98 in France.

 

Alcazar you are right; my bad. Octane booster is not friendly with cats, allegedly . Not meiow cats.

 

I've always managed to find 98+ RON no problems in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.

Admittidley I only ever had to fill up on the Motorway in Belgium though.

 

My knock link lit up like a Christmas tree on Belgium vpower...

 

I had the same last year but I only put a splash in to get me through, not enough to trip Syvecs knock but the KS3 wasn't happy!