Total confusion

[Clippy]

This is true. I blame the Yanks.

Sums it up well:

[mudskipper]

There is no "ordinary", only Better and Best. Every grade is above average. And you thought that "Premium" meant "better than something"?

Have a coffee. Would you like the Large or the Extra Large?

This is true. I blame the Yanks.

[Mich the Tester]

I've got a crappy Mondeo and doing motorway driving you notice a big decrease in fuel consumption using the higher octane fuels

But then I'm usually late up and flooring it along the motorway to get to the client site, if you were stuck in traffic on the M25 everyday it would be pointless

Hmm. I suppose I could experiment and find out which works best. But then I don´t think I could really be bothered playing around with the on board computer and then calculating the financial difference.

[amcdonald]

Most cars don't rev so high and most drivers rarely get above 4000 rpm, so they can't really need the higher octane fuels.

I've got a crappy Mondeo and doing motorway driving you notice a big decrease in fuel consumption using the higher octane fuels

But then I'm usually late up and flooring it along the motorway to get to the client site, if you were stuck in traffic on the M25 everyday it would be pointless

[VectraMan]

Is an S2000 one of those sports cars that revs up to about 10,000?

No. Only 9000.

Most cars don't rev so high and most drivers rarely get above 4000 rpm, so they can't really need the higher octane fuels.

That's cobblers. Because modern ECUs can adjust, any car can take advantage of higher octane fuel and run more efficiently, though that doesn't necessarily mean it works out better overall for every car.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Pumps labelled Diesel, Premium unleaded and Excellium unleaded. WTF? Which is 'regular' unleaded?

There is no "ordinary", only Better and Best. Every grade is above average. And you thought that "Premium" meant "better than something"?

Have a coffee. Would you like the Large or the Extra Large?

[Mich the Tester]

I look at the numbers. 95, bad. 97, 98 or 99 good. If you see 93 (which you get on the continent), that's basically water with added essence of petrol.

My S2000 needs super unleaded really, but recently I tried regular and was a bit shocked at how much the fuel economy suffered. It really was cheaper on super, plus it meant stopping less often. YMMV.

Is an S2000 one of those sports cars that revs up to about 10,000?

Most cars don't rev so high and most drivers rarely get above 4000 rpm, so they can't really need the higher octane fuels.

[VectraMan]

I look at the numbers. 95, bad. 97, 98 or 99 good. If you see 93 (which you get on the continent), that's basically water with added essence of petrol.

My S2000 needs super unleaded really, but recently I tried regular and was a bit shocked at how much the fuel economy suffered. It really was cheaper on super, plus it meant stopping less often. YMMV.

[Mich the Tester]

Is it just me who can't work out what petrol I'm supposed to be putting in my car?

In the old days you had

Unleaded
Super Unleaded
Diesel

(Actually, in the very old days you had 2*, 4* and diesel)

Just stopped at our local Total garage.

Pumps labelled Diesel, Premium unleaded and Excellium unleaded. WTF? Which is 'regular' unleaded? Both Premium and Excellium had green and white labels. Decided 'premium' = 'super' so selected Excellium.

You've got it easy. Here on le continent we have Premium Diesel, Super Diesel, Eco-Diesel, Bio-Diesel and Tractor Diesel. And LPG.

[mudskipper]

Just you grandma.

It means you're getting old.

When I was your age I'd've got a clip round the earhole for saying that...

[MarillionFan]

Just you grandma.

It means you're getting old.

[mudskipper]

Is it just me who can't work out what petrol I'm supposed to be putting in my car?

In the old days you had

Unleaded
Super Unleaded
Diesel

(Actually, in the very old days you had 2*, 4* and diesel)

Just stopped at our local Total garage.

Pumps labelled Diesel, Premium unleaded and Excellium unleaded. WTF? Which is 'regular' unleaded? Both Premium and Excellium had green and white labels. Decided 'premium' = 'super' so selected Excellium. Fortunately checked the price that came up - 137.9. As unleaded was advertised at 'only' 130.9 realised I'd got the wrong one. Why can't garages just label stuff properly and stop using the ridiculously confusing adjectives.

And it's the first time ever my little Corsa has cost over fifty quid to fill.