Volvo backs 'Opal' initiative

In a bid to reduce crime and health problems arising from the sniffing of petrol in remote communities, the federal government introduced 'Opal' petrol earlier this year.

One unforeseen problem with the new 'safer' petrol (more here) is the potential for owners of certain cars being in technical breach of the car's warranty if fuelled with Opal.

Many cars -- usually from Europe -- are specifically tuned to run on premium unleaded fuel ('PULP') as a recommended minimum standard.

Since the Opal petrol is a non-aromatic petrol refined to 91 RON (regular petrol octane), its octane rating is lower than 95 RON octane of PULP.

Volvo has now announced that the company totally supports the federal government's initiative and confirms that short term use of Opal in engines tuned to run on PULP will not put owners in breach of their warranty conditions.

In fact, according to Todd Hallenbeck, Volvo's Public Affairs Manager, Volvo cars will run on 91 RON fuel over an extended period without failure, but the performance will be affected by the lower octane fuel. The engine management systems will automatically retard the ignition to run on the lower octane fuel with problem.

"The ECU will calibrate…basically pull ignition out of the engine and control it so that it won't detonate (but) the owner has to be aware that running it on a 91 octane will not offer optimal performance" Mr Hallenbeck said.

Interestingly, when asked about Volvo's stand on octane boosters for cars running Opal, Mr Hallenbeck specifically said "We do not in any way endorse an additive whether it's petrol or diesel."

In effect, the company is saying that lower than recommended octane is forgivable, but boosting the octane with an additive is a definite no-no.

To comment on this article click here