Using the right fuel in turbocharged engines

Using the right fuel in any engine is of the utmost importance in achieving peak performance and fuel economy and fewer emissions.

The proper fuel choice is even more important in turbocharged engines, with it's higher temperatures and air/fuel rates leading to a higher risk of engine knock with the wrong fuel.

The Motoring TV team sets out to break down the correlation between gasoline quality and turbocharged engines, and figure out how it all plays out in Formula One racing.

(This segment originally appeared on Episode 26 of Motoring 2014.)

***Watch full episodes of Motoring TV at MotoringTV.com***

[Darkhunter]

People who think it's okay to run regular or midgrade on a turbo car are the reason why Subarus and many performance cars start knocking

[seyedziaeddinkanani]

I have a 2018 cr v with turbo charged engine and was recommended by some high end vehicle mechanics to use use 91 octane gas instead of 87 which is recommended by honda. Hopefully I'm not doing anything wrong. I'vebeenusing 91 octane gas since I picked up the car from the dealership.

[tonyb]

I drive a 2018 Volvo s90 with the turbo T5 package. If I use 89 or lower in a pinch to get me going I definitely notice a difference in the seat. I travel for work and depend on my car to be safe and quick. The Sonoco 91 is great but the v power from shell is silky smooth in my book. I suppose it depends on the engine and how well it is engineered to USE the premium fuels but its my experience that a better octane on turbos is key. Your mileage may vary with other model cars and even home brew setups. I know that most fuels all start at higher octane before they are sold to retailers as well as I work in the petro chemical industry. Your local gas station gets the same truck as any other gas station just with a different label on the side. The difference comes with the engineering behind certain grades of fuels and their retail customers. For example: Ferraris long relationship with shell and this video. Its not an ad.

[jamesj.litteriojr.]

Everyone should really check out Chris Fix's video..."What is the best fuel to use your car or truck and why". It's all about Shell V Power Nitro+ and it makes a lot of sense and has a lot of very useful information. Especially if you drive a Turbocharged or Supercharged automobile. I use every time in my 2013 Scion Tc slightly modified and it makes a huge difference in the way the car runs, performs, and cleans out everything in the engine. Just ask my tailpipe about all the carbon buildup on it! I would love to se the inside of my engine if taken apart! Yes it cost more for a gallon, but don't be buying an Ecoboost F-150 and run 87 Wawa gas in it and expect it to perform flawlessly. Besides the fact that your not cleaning anything with that crap gas...PunIntended! And your mpg will suck no matter what you do. Have some common sense...It ain't rocket science people. Don't spend $50, 000 on a vehicle and run shit gas because it will run like shit. Unless you lease it and really don't give a F&*k. No disrespect anyone, no offense. I live by "You Do You"! But in this case it wouldn't hurt to try it. Just my 2 cents/sense! Thanks for reading.

[AlainHubert]

A lot of bullshit in this video. ALL gasolines from ALL brands have cleaning agents, mandatory by law. At lest here in Canada. So, yes, if your engine is turbocharged then use premium because it's a higher than normal compression ratio engine. But it will also work on regular gas. Just not as efficient and very slightly less powerful. But it'll be as clean as with premium.

[macjc]

?if shell tells you, it must be true...THIS IS JUST A SHELL AD!

[topdamagewizard]

What a great Shell commercial. That being said. Science is science not matter if they are trying to sell gas or not. Have a turbo? Use premium. Full stop. No turbo? Buy normal gas.

[tvalenz]

What about bmw X1 2015 twin turbo? Does it need to have premium gas

[lorietalovings]

What kinda had is good for the ats 2.4 liter turbo sadan

[tacitus]

Try running 88 octane e15 in your small turbos. It's cheaper and seems to keep things clean and protect against pinging.

[skotsephrenia]

you don't need to use a particular and specific fuel or high octane fuel for any turbo charge engine whilst your timing and ignition are stock; your engjne won't benifit from those; it is just a waste of money...if you advance your timing to a certain degree above the standard set up and a much higher boost; then yes high octane would be significant;

[bryangrimeinmapipes]

normally when i was misbehaving in school would take me into his office and grab me and say "this is how you dont touch people"