VF Park assist (manual)

[Skylarking]

Also, would filling up consistently with special unleaded suffice, or is it advisable to only put in premium fuel?

Modern engines have knock sensors and can cope with poor fuel where the ECU will adjust spark advance to cope with poor fuel and any knock that it picks up.

Holdens LS3 V8 is capable of running on 91 or better fuel. I assume the v6 is the same.

The owners manual specifies “high octane recommend”, the fuel filler flap has a sticker that states “high octane recommend”. GM’s US engine specs state the engine can cope with 91 (or 87, Ron/Mon? can’t remember)… Down under, high octane starts at 95 so it doesn’t even have to be 98. However, Holden states that if you use 91 the engine will produce less power and as such they “recommend high octane for best performance”.

If the car couldn’t run on 91RON they’d be legally obliged to use stronger language like “must use high octane only”. If it couldn’t run on 95RON they be required to be explicit and state “must used 98Ron only”. Holden doesn’t use such mandated language as “recommend” has a very different meaning than “must”.

Basically, the v8 will run fine on 91RON. I assume the v6 is the same.

Obviously a modern engine will make the most out of a higher octane fuel and you’d probably notice better performance (especially on hot days) by using 98 but by no means is it mandatory.

 

[Forg]

However, Holden states that if you use 91 the engine will produce less power and as such they “recommend high octane for best performance”.

They prolly state their fuel consumption figures based on 98 too ... that way they if they "recommend" it, the numbers aren't a bit of a bodge.

 

[Skylarking]

They prolly state their fuel consumption figures based on 98 too ... that way they if they "recommend" it, the numbers aren't a bit of a bodge.

Yes Holden does use 98 when doing their bodgy mandated fuel consumption lab testing.
Obviously they do their power testing based on 98 which wil yield more bragging rights

Interestingly, In court, Nissan essentially call their fuel consumption figures a bodge as they are comparative lab tests based on unrealistic mandated indoor driving routine…. Nissan were defending a dealer that was sued because before signing on the dotted line the dealer told the buyer his fuel use would be better with the new car new but he got worse fuel consumption than his old Nissan Bodgy at best