LRP vs Super Unleaded

LRP is only 95 octane, the same as unleaded.

Apparently LRP is fine in cat equipped cars, but I wouldn't want to chance it.

I have my doubts about this, given that I can't tell the difference between a tank of LRP and ordinary unleaded.

However, Optimax, or any of the 98 octane alternatives definitely do make a difference.

The theory is that the additives in LRP won't harm a catalyst, but given that even the cheapest cat is £150 or so, I really wouldn't want to risk it for more than the odd tank if I was desperate.

Besides, you'd have a bit of a problem filling a catalyst equipped car from a full-sized nozzle.

This answer is brought to you by the TSIRWI[1] Organisation:

Super unleaded is petrol that has been refined to a higher standard than standard 95 octane petrol. LRP is standard petrol that is on more additives (bought at a cheap price) than a high-profile rock star. If that's the case then petrol refining companies are passing on the cost of refining to you. OTOH... Perhaps it's just because Mr Kevin Nova is happy to pay that price.

I'd *guess* you could run a few tankfuls of LRP in a cat-equipped car without any serious damage. However, I don't know what the added whatsits are in LRP - they're probably not too good for cars with a cat.

Tom.

No, it's 97.

No again. See:-

Having been involved in the running of a petrol site (I was the line manager for it in a Supermarket)..... Trading Standards only ever tested the volume delivered.

That's actually bollocks.

Potassium is the lead substitute in LRP, and _shouldn't_ kill a Cat. But I don't think anyone has done enough research to say for certain.

Should be OK-ish in an emergency.

Since its whole purpose in life is for older cars which were designed for

Fairy nuff. However, Weights and Measures (if they're doing their jobs properly) sample and test randomly from the forecourt. I would expect them to check that the petrol delivered was the volume charged for and was free of water or other contaminents and also that the octane advertised on the pump was correct.

Try this then (mind you, it's from a TV programme!)

True. :-)

Then they jolly well ought to test octane. As a teenager, many years ago, I worked on a petrol forecourt during school holidays. The manager would order petrol a couple of days in advance, estimating how much he could actually take when the tanker arrived. It was common practice to order slightly more Regular (2*) than needed and slightly less Super (4*). The idea was that once the 2* tank was full, the extra few hundred gallons of 2* could be shot into the 4* tank, making the garage an extra 4d per gallon sold. (minus of course the driver's 'tip').

I'm sure this sort thing doesn't happen today! :-)

I bought one recently for a Rover 400 for £60, obviousley a 3rd party part, but at that price...

It was marked up "97 RON" in big letters on the pump. Sainsburys next to Meadowhall in Sheffield if you want to go and have a gander?

Doki ( snipped-for-privacy@spamtroNspidar.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Marketing...

Mmm. LRP is normally 97. SuperUndead is often 98 now, though.