Volkswagen reviews fuel recommendation

Volkswagen and Skoda have just completed a review of the minimum recommended fuel standard for the two brands' passenger car ranges.

Most models, including the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs, are now approved by the importer to run on 95 RON unleaded petrol. This is a change for the better from the company's previous minimum, 98 RON, which was effectively the top shelf stuff from street-corner retailers.

Volkswagen's General Manager Press and PR, Karl Gehling, advises that the change reflects the gains in fuel quality from Australian pumps -- and specifically the reduction in sulphur content.

"Fuel quality in Australia has improved dramatically over the past few years," he told the Carsales Network. "We've just had confirmation from Europe that our engines are now able to be run on 95 here."

There have been no changes to the specifications of the vehicles to tolerate the lower octane fuel. Previously, Volkswagens run on the 95 RON fuel for short periods would not be in breach of warranty conditions, says Gehling.

"Obviously it was more about the long-term reliability that was why we recommended the higher 98 fuel. On some engines, the risk of having knocking or pinging of engines was part of the reason.

"But one of the major changes is the sulphur content in Australian fuel was also quite high."

According to the press release issued by the company, the change applies to all 2010 Skoda and Volkswagen models, other than Passat R36, Passat CC V6 and Golf R32 from the Volkswagen range.

The company, in conducting this review, has taken into account "current Australian fuel quality standards" and the operating range of the petrol engines affected by the decision.

For motorists, it means that running costs should be lower, particularly as the fuel consumption is not adversely affected, says Gehling.

"It has no impact on fuel consumption figures or performance figures," he said. Gehling was uncertain as to whether the fuel consumption figures published for pre-2010 vehicles were based on tests using 98 or 95 RON petrol, but presumably, if the factory conducted the testing, it would have done so using German-sourced 95 RON petrol.

Drivers of vehicles such as the Touareg V6 FSI will be able to travel further afield without worrying about finding a fuel outlet that stocks 98 RON petrol, although Gehling says that the V6 petrol Touareg sells in smaller numbers than diesel variants and there's been no known feedback from owners that this has posed a problem for them.

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