Newbie needs petrol advice
Discussion
I'm picking up a lovely shiny '96 Chimaera tomorrow morning, and am unsure as to what type of petrol I should or can use. It seems Optimax is the preferred petrol of choice on this forum, but what is the difference and is it necessary? Will I damage the engine or notice loss of power using normal unleaded? Is it best not to keep chopping and changing each time you fill up?
Finally, any advice for me as a total TVR virgin (except for the 3 cautious drives I have had in the Chims I have test driven)? Are there any bits and pieces I should make sure I have in the garage or in the car with me, just in case....?
>>> Edited by Gavstar on Friday 9th July 13:18
>>> Edited by Gavstar on Friday 9th July 13:19
Finally, any advice for me as a total TVR virgin (except for the 3 cautious drives I have had in the Chims I have test driven)? Are there any bits and pieces I should make sure I have in the garage or in the car with me, just in case....?
>>> Edited by Gavstar on Friday 9th July 13:18
>>> Edited by Gavstar on Friday 9th July 13:19
i would say you don't have to fill with optimax be i certainly would use super over premium unless your stuck with nothing else.
good idea would be invest in a battery conditioner with a cig lighter attachment, buy Steve heaths bible, a small tool kit, can or 2 of tyre weld (junk the space saver), fire extingisher and a spare serp belt assumings is a serpentine engine
Breakdown cover for extra piece of mind wouldn't go amiss either. with any luck though you won't need any of the above items.
oh and sunglassed and sun lotion, although its always raining these days
good idea would be invest in a battery conditioner with a cig lighter attachment, buy Steve heaths bible, a small tool kit, can or 2 of tyre weld (junk the space saver), fire extingisher and a spare serp belt assumings is a serpentine engine
Breakdown cover for extra piece of mind wouldn't go amiss either. with any luck though you won't need any of the above items.
oh and sunglassed and sun lotion, although its always raining these days
Do not buy supermarket own brand petrols, they lack the additives to keep modern fuel injection systems healthy and gung free.
Buy Shell Optimax if you wish, but availablity can be an issue and travelling miles to find some defeats the objective somewhat. I have found only a marginal improvement over BP.
I use the 97 octane high grade BP which seems to work well and is consistent and easily available. What you need to do is ensure that the car is filled with your preferred petrol at service, so that the engine is setup using this fuel.
>> Edited by PeterC on Friday 9th July 13:32
Buy Shell Optimax if you wish, but availablity can be an issue and travelling miles to find some defeats the objective somewhat. I have found only a marginal improvement over BP.
I use the 97 octane high grade BP which seems to work well and is consistent and easily available. What you need to do is ensure that the car is filled with your preferred petrol at service, so that the engine is setup using this fuel.
>> Edited by PeterC on Friday 9th July 13:32
Nano2nd said:
good idea would be invest in a battery conditioner with a cig lighter attachment, buy Steve heaths bible, a small tool kit, can or 2 of tyre weld (junk the space saver), fire extingisher and a spare serp belt assumings is a serpentine engine
Breakdown cover for extra piece of mind wouldn't go amiss either. with any luck though you won't need any of the above items.
oh and sunglassed and sun lotion, although its always raining these days
Where would you recommend getting the spares? (It is a serp engine I THINK!) And do you seriously recommend a fire extinguisher???
Hi all, new owner myself - got mine just over a month ago so thought might give my 2p's worth.
Would agree with Steve Heath bible - brilliant. I got a fire extinguisher from a marine supplier suitable for fibreglass fires - a lot of heat is kicked out by engine & I thought better safe than
IMHO I would also add: check seals & waterproof hood to ensure no leaks, get oil & filter changed unless you know this has been done recently & check alarm system works. Warm up engine before revving it hard, be careful in the wet & cover car if stored outside.
Then have fun!
Phil
Would agree with Steve Heath bible - brilliant. I got a fire extinguisher from a marine supplier suitable for fibreglass fires - a lot of heat is kicked out by engine & I thought better safe than
IMHO I would also add: check seals & waterproof hood to ensure no leaks, get oil & filter changed unless you know this has been done recently & check alarm system works. Warm up engine before revving it hard, be careful in the wet & cover car if stored outside.
Then have fun!
Phil
I've had mine for a week now.
I've got the 'bible' coming to me next week by way of a birthday present.
I've got a tool kit, nothing special, and a can of tyre weld, that's about it.
To be honest, if the car breaks down, or I get a puncture, I was told by the lovely people at Fernhurst to call the rescue people and let them sort it.
Also, check with your insurance, I'm with Direct Line and the breakdown cover is very reasonable.
Most importantly, get plenty of rest before you collect the car, because you'll need all your energy for driving it all weekend
You are gonna love it....
I've got the 'bible' coming to me next week by way of a birthday present.
I've got a tool kit, nothing special, and a can of tyre weld, that's about it.
To be honest, if the car breaks down, or I get a puncture, I was told by the lovely people at Fernhurst to call the rescue people and let them sort it.
Also, check with your insurance, I'm with Direct Line and the breakdown cover is very reasonable.
Most importantly, get plenty of rest before you collect the car, because you'll need all your energy for driving it all weekend
You are gonna love it....
Thanks chaps. I just had another flutter of excitement....still can't believe I'm actually going to own one...I remember seeing it when it was launched at the Earls Court motor show when I were a lad (and all this was fields etc etc).
Is there anywhere else to get the bible from other than the TVRCC site? I can't complete the transaction cos of our firewall at work...
Is there anywhere else to get the bible from other than the TVRCC site? I can't complete the transaction cos of our firewall at work...
Just buy the second edition of Steve Heaths bible.
That will tell you everything you need to know. Even how to drive it.
Welcome to PH
Heres to many sucessful years of TVRs for you.
Let me know when you are thinging of up grading to a Griff
Im only saying that coz I know N17 will see it!
That will tell you everything you need to know. Even how to drive it.
Welcome to PH
Heres to many sucessful years of TVRs for you.
Let me know when you are thinging of up grading to a Griff
Im only saying that coz I know N17 will see it!
Optimax and ultimate make no difference to my performance. It seems a little lump when crawling on Optimax though, but I dont ever intend to crawl much, prefer to sprint.
Even though I belive that supermarket fuel is Ok , I still dont risk it.
How ever, for the diesel i do, but you could poo in a diesel and it would still work!
Even though I belive that supermarket fuel is Ok , I still dont risk it.
How ever, for the diesel i do, but you could poo in a diesel and it would still work!
Nano2nd said:
Do not buy supermarket own brand petrols, they lack the additives to keep modern fuel injection systems healthy and gung free.
Peter, do you have or know of any evidence to support that statement? what additives are we talking about here?
I read an article in EVO about 18 months/2 years ago when they studied 3 types of cars using supermarket unleaded for a while and then Optimax to see if it really did "do exactly what it says on the tin". They tested each car (one was a Civic Type-R, can't remember the rest) for things like performance/economy etc and even stripped the engines down to see if the Optimax really did keep it clean. To cut a long story short, the optimax did EVERYTHING it's supposed to do, increase performance/mpg etc, and was very strongly recommended. It's the only thing that goes in my Griff but then again I only live a mile from a Shell Garage.
All the best - Chris
banjolucknicker said:
I've got a tool kit, nothing special, and a can of tyre weld, that's about it.
To be honest, if the car breaks down, or I get a puncture, I was told by the lovely people at Fernhurst to call the rescue people and let them sort it.
Two recommendations then
1) Get another can ... it would be embarassing if one just didn't quite manage the job wouldn't it?
2)If you need to call the rescue people let them know that if you need to be towed you want a low loader or it could (I've been told) do damage the car bodywork/paintwork.
Gavstar said:
Finally, any advice for me as a total TVR virgin (except for the 3 cautious drives I have had in the Chims I have test driven)? Are there any bits and pieces I should make sure I have in the garage or in the car with me, just in case....?
Spare 100A Fuse
Screwdriver and a 8mm socket/spanner to change it
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