Petrol - I watch the pennies

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Petrol - I watch the pennies

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Smpl Mnmlst
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#2710428 21-May-2021 02:35

Scott3:

In short most of the NZ petrol retailers charge a perineum for higher grades.

A***holes! That’s worse than charging an arm and a leg!

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sbiddle

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#2710442 21-May-2021 07:26

Inphinity:

I find Gulls 98 generally cheaper than 95 at most major retailers, and while it may be marginally less efficient, it still works out better value in my experience. However, I have noticed the price gap between their 91 and 98 has increased over recent years, it was about a 12c difference a couple years ago, and now is regularly a 20c jump. BP and Mobil near me are generally a 35c jump to 95 and about a further 7 - 10c for 98. It's crazy.

Despite what the Govt would have you think based on their highly flawed Commerce Commission study, fuel is such a cut throat industry right now with razor thin margins due to the incredibly intense competition. They're trying to create margin from 95 and 98 to cover for the 91 which is still being sold effectively below cost in some areas - fuel pricing now is a case of having different prices all over the country and trying to ensure that the average figure is one that is above the cost price!

Dingbatt

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#2710448 21-May-2021 07:30

The Gull outlet on Hobsonville Road has its price influenced by the PaknSave and Z rates in Westgate. Hence their price is discounted on a Wednesday in line with the ‘Pumped’ discount by the other stations. As someone who regularly fills at Hobsonville I hope Gull doesn’t look at BP to set their prices.

Remember the government has conducted an investigation into fuel prices to stop us getting ripped off. Nothing to see here, move along.

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alisam

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#2710460 21-May-2021 08:13

My Kia Sportage 2.4litre was built in 2018 and I have owned since new.

Reading the Manual tells me, the average reader would have no idea what the words mean and you have to read the paragraph which has the heading 'Except Europe'.

To summarise, it says RON 91 / AKI 87 or higher. Do not use methanol blended fuels.

There is a sticker on the fuel flap (unfortunately I put my own sticker over it so that anyone driving the car, would know what petrol to put in). But I can see the symbols E5 and E10.

The salesman wrote on the cover of the manual '95 unleaded or higher'.

(it's a bit like reading the sticker on the driver's door, telling you the tyre pressure.

I check the tyre pressure once a month and used the information on the sticker.

After the first full service I questioned why the tyre pressure was much higher than what was on the sticker and the garage said, they use ?? tyre pressure for NZ roads.

I then 'calibrated' my tyre guage to reflect what the garage had put in)

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frankv

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#2710464 21-May-2021 08:25

alisam:

On Hobsonville Road, West Harbour/Hobsonville, Auckland, a new (fantastic) BP Petrol station (with advertised Cafe) opened a couple of days ago.

BP does show the prices for 91, 95 and 98 and has a massive canopy, but you still need to walk to the building where you pay (as most are)

BP does a loyalty card 10c/litre discount, instead of the usual 6c/l "discount" that's available all the time) usually once a week on a Wednesday. You can stack the discounts for up to two months, which effectively doubles them. BP also has the BPme app, which also gives you the loyalty discount, but allows you to pay in your car. You can also order coffee in the app.

Dingbatt

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#2710466 21-May-2021 08:30

alisam:

To summarise, it says RON 91 / AKI 87 or higher. Do not use methanol blended fuels.

The salesman wrote on the cover of the manual '95 unleaded or higher'.

If the manual says 91 or greater, you are wasting your money putting anything higher than 91.

Was the salesman an ex-mechanic or Automotive Engineer? Or someone who got NCEA Level 1 Science?

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alasta

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#2710467 21-May-2021 08:34

If there is any doubt around the required octane rating then give Kia NZ a call, or the service department at your local dealer. Their customer service is usually very good.

Most Japanese and Korean cars will run 91 octane. My Mazda Skyactiv has a 13:1 compression ratio, and even that is specified for 91.

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dafman

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#2710499 21-May-2021 09:19

alasta:

If there is any doubt around the required octane rating then give Kia NZ a call, or the service department at your local dealer. Their customer service is usually very good.

Most Japanese and Korean cars will run 91 octane. My Mazda Skyactiv has a 13:1 compression ratio, and even that is specified for 91.

A workmate purchased a new Sportage a few months ago and rang Kia for fuel advice. Advice was it could run on 91 or 95, but service person on phone said if it was them, they would opt for 95.

I have a 2019 Outback, advice from Subaru is either 91 or 95. Salesman said the boxer prefers/performs better on 95, so that's what I use.

alisam

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#2710548 21-May-2021 09:31

I have emailed Kia at Westgate.

cshwone

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#2710552 21-May-2021 09:45

alisam:

I have emailed Kia at Westgate.

Your extract from the manual gave you the answer. 91 RON or greater. So if you are really having to watch the pennies 91 works quite happily and is approved by the manufacturer.

Oblivian

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#2710587 21-May-2021 10:21

sbiddle:

They're trying to create margin from 95 and 98 to cover for the 91 which is still being sold effectively below cost in some areas - fuel pricing now is a case of having different prices all over the country and trying to ensure that the average figure is one that is above the cost price!

Also noticed the variance of 91/95 has gone from 6-9c 'back in the day' to 10-12 and a whopping 19c now. When I believe the cracking cost to get the higher octane is basically no skin of the refineries nose. Just a different processing blend on the day. I was putting blame down down to the easy market of eco car takeover. Your 3 cylinder turbo units like Swift Sport, Ford Focus etc recommend 95 now. Easy capital target for the sellers.

I won't say what were paying that is considered 'expensive' down here in canterbury. I'll just sit quietly groaning that it is higher than it was last month..

Scott3

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#2710598 21-May-2021 10:47

alisam:

My Kia Sportage 2.4litre was built in 2018 and I have owned since new.

Reading the Manual tells me, the average reader would have no idea what the words mean and you have to read the paragraph which has the heading 'Except Europe'.

To summarise, it says RON 91 / AKI 87 or higher. Do not use methanol blended fuels.

There is a sticker on the fuel flap (unfortunately I put my own sticker over it so that anyone driving the car, would know what petrol to put in). But I can see the symbols E5 and E10.

The salesman wrote on the cover of the manual '95 unleaded or higher'.

(it's a bit like reading the sticker on the driver's door, telling you the tyre pressure.

I check the tyre pressure once a month and used the information on the sticker.

After the first full service I questioned why the tyre pressure was much higher than what was on the sticker and the garage said, they use ?? tyre pressure for NZ roads.

I then 'calibrated' my tyre guage to reflect what the garage had put in)

I would go with the minimum grade recommended in the manual. The data in the manual would have been written and reviewed by automotive engineering team. I would trust this a lot more than what the salesperson wrote on the cover with a marker....

Note that modern cars change parameters like timing depending on what fuel is run. As such, many engines will make a touch more power, and be a touch more efficient on higher than minimum octane fuel. Typically this is not noticeable, but feel free to do a comparison yourself. Give the car a tank of the new grade to "get used to it" before you record data.

Given your car is designed to run on 91, and in NZ many petrol retailers effectively rip people off who buy higher grades, if you are watching pennies, running 91 is the way to go...

[edit] - just did some internet reading. apparently the 2.0L turbo sportage has a reputation of cracking sparkplugs, and running higher octane is a suggested fix. Don't think this applies to the naturally aspirated 2.4L

openmedia

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#2710650 21-May-2021 10:55

alisam:

My Kia Sportage 2.4litre was built in 2018 and I have owned since new.

Reading the Manual tells me, the average reader would have no idea what the words mean and you have to read the paragraph which has the heading 'Except Europe'.

To summarise, it says RON 91 / AKI 87 or higher. Do not use methanol blended fuels.

There is a sticker on the fuel flap (unfortunately I put my own sticker over it so that anyone driving the car, would know what petrol to put in). But I can see the symbols E5 and E10.

The salesman wrote on the cover of the manual '95 unleaded or higher'.

I had the same issue with my Mazda CX5. All of Mazda's docs recommend 91, and the sales man said to never ever use anything less than 95.

Only every used 91 in the car.

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Batman

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#2710652 21-May-2021 10:57

i have never seen a car manual that says use 98 fuel ...

so why should someone put 98 fuel in their car?

duckDecoy

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#2710654 21-May-2021 10:58

I don't know anything about this topic, but can I ask why people are saying that Gull 98 isn't any good compared to say BP? I always use 98 and buy it from my local Gull because it is always cheaper, even after the AA fuel discount. Should I not be??

And the reason I use 98 is because without it my 2005 Toyota Avensis (please be stolen today please be stolen today please be stolen today) can get stuttering from takeoff, which can be terrifying when you are leaving a stop or give way with another car bearing down on you. My friend was looking at buying one and the car inspector he hired happened to mention that you have to put 98 in it or it will stutter/stall , since then i always have and the problem completely disappeared. Every so often my partner will forget and put regular 91 in, and the problem returns.

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