Just got my brand spanking new 03 WRX and are well pleased with it (its my first scoob). This is probably a really dumb question but I'm rapidily getting to the point of needing to refil it and have noticed that on the fuel flap it says use only 98 ron unleaded, is this essential or can I get away with the 95 stuff, the reason I ask is mainly because I can't seem to find many local petrol stations that have the 98 ron stuff

Cheers

Paul

get used to rapidly requiring more fuel.It's one of the joys of scooby ownership. Use 98 RON don't even consider 95 RON it's not the type of fuel your car should run on.

I would use only Shell Optimax or a super unleaded fuel. The standard unleaded lower RON fuel has caused big problems for some.

Like who?

This is a UK spec WRX, right?

I was slightly surprised to read that the manual says "98 RON" when I got mine on Saturday. The dealer tells me that 95 is fine, and indeed put a tank of 95 in it!

Cheers,
Nick.

95 Ron is fine, if you want a tiny bi more performance then slap in Optimix but for everyday commuting save your money :)

95 ron means less power- the scoob is a car whose entire purpose goes against using lower octane fuel. You would be better off in a Vectra if you want to use 95.

Also edited to add the manual says 98 Ron eh? I wonder if that is a mistake or the advice of the manufacturer- be interesting to know if in the case of engine damage (very unlikely)it would cause a warranty problem?
[Edited by scooby-new - 19/03/2003 12:48:06]

[Edited by scooby-new - 19/03/2003 12:49:49]

I noticed this too when filling up for the first time last night (STi8). I just put super in which was labelled as 97 ron.

Hope this won't cause problems :confused:

Phil

I'm sure that in the glossy brochure for the 03 WRX and Sti it says 95RON minimum, not 98.

Don't get me wrong, my MY00 was always run on 97 (preferred Esso SUL to optimax). I could have had a vectra as a company car, but decided not to thanks all the same ;) :D

I find it strange that the manual states "98 RON" when a) it isn't available and b) it isn't (probably) necessary. The manual does also cover the STI too...

I thought that the Subaru claimed MPG improvement figures for the MY03 WRX is based on the fact its been refined to run on 97 RON fuels, not 98 RON? So although Optimax is 98 RON thats equally the wrong fuel for the MY03 WRX as 95 RON fuels are, surely?

Anyway, if you read your manual it tells you which fuels it delivers the best MPG on and it also says 95 RON (or normal unleaded) fuels are the minimum, so are fine to use.

TimboMY03

PS.. I use Shell Optimax - just for that extra resposiveness :-)

I have often wondered just how much difference putting 97 ron petrol would make to a cars bhp.

Optimax is 98 ron (so I beleive)
I'd never use anything but optimax anymore. I used optimax in my Mini cooper 's' and it certainly made a slight performance difference. I'll only be putting optimax in my wrx when i pick it up on saturday (or super unleaded if optimax aint available) :).

Chiark
I was talking about Jap Import WRX's, I know one that had big problems (new block) caused by using 95RON fuel. Have also read about others.

I've never used 95 Ron in any of my 3 UK Imprezas, or my Euro import STI, and wouldnt advise anyone else to either. If you think i'm not qualified to answer then tough, I did.

Why buy a performance car and put lower grade fuel in, that will make it perform slower than other available fuels. These are not economy cars, if saving 5p a litre is a big issue, you have bought the wrong car.

Right, handbags at dawn ;) :D :)

Sorry if you misread the intention of my post, or if I came over as challenging your post.

I used 97 always, and will do in my new car. However, if someone's asking if you can use 95 without danger, then the fact that the supplying dealer uses 95 seems to me that the answer is "yes", for UK spec cars. If it does go bang, that's what the warranty is for.

Still on first tankful myself, but Esso SUL will be going in tonight :D

Cheers,
Nick.

Having spent all that money on a a new car, why not put the best petrol in it-the engine will be happier on the higher octane and it is better for it too!

Les

Subaru 2003 WRX performance figures of 221 bhp are based on 97 ron fuel as Auto car states in its road test figures. In the owners manual for WRX 03 it states 225bhp on 98 ron fuel so you pays your money and makes your choice.The ppp certificate that you get with the car states that you can run the car on 95 ron ok but you will not get the maxium performance from the conversion this is of course if you have chosen this option.
John

In the glossy it states power quoted using 95RON for the WRX....Autocar got it wrong.

I take delivery of a nice Rally Blue one Friday PM

optimax is 98 ron, and , going out on a bit of a limb, i've been told that even filling up now and then with 95 means that the EMS will reduce boost from the turbo accordingly to prevent preignition. this oisn't easily reversible, so i'd bite the optimax bullet personally. maybe that's all rubbish but it's my tuppennyworth!

The last post is a bit worrying - with a range of only 300 miles or so, sod's law is that I will need to fuel up somewhere I don't know and may not be near a Shell garage.

Surely the cars cannot be that sensitive to fuel type can they?

I think the newer cars will cope with Octane changes and readjust fairly quickly. It's the older cars that remember the fuel settings and refuse to reset accordingly. To recap you can use 95 RON in your car without damaging it but why would you want to? (except in an emergency of course)

I'll continue to use Optimax when I can and then SUL (97 RON) if I have to fill up somewhere without access to a Shell garage.

Anyone have an electronic list of Shell garages in the UK - I have to travel quite a bit so an overlay for my navigation system would be a bonus and help ensure my scoob gets the juice it desires (needs?!)

300 miles !! I wish !!
Try 200.

I'm getting about 270-300 miles to a tank of Optimax at the moment (MY03WRX), depending on the motorway miles vs other miles that I'm doing.

Still running the car in slightly (1,300 miles done now) as well that may be helping.

I drove really, really careful the other day on a motorway just to see what I could get and managed 27mpg over 100 miles. Thats was really using the boost lightly.

as a point of interest I use any type of 98 RON here in France and always try to pick places that have a very high turnover of fuel so the stuff I get is of the best possible quality. I think this is more important than sticking to one brand (although in the UK Optimax is all I will use but that is a longer story!). Try to get your fuel from stations that fill up regularly themselves as fuel does degrade over time. I average about 320 miles from a tank in mixed driving- MY96 Turbo Wagon with recent service after which MPG jumped from 250 miles per tank to 320!

edited to add: we don't have traffic jams where I live thus the good MPG!

[Edited by scooby-new - 3/19/2003 6:05:34 PM]

I put 2 star in mine

didnt think you could buy that anymore- your showing your age!

if you use shell geostar, shells route mapping software you can plan your route including shell garages.

On most of the Volkswagen Group car brochures, they quote either 97 or 98 RON as fuel type, I think it's 98RON.

Small print says 95RON can be used but there will be a 5% drop in performance and economy.

That could equate to 11-12 PS on a new MY03 WRX, if they operate similar.

Bogie