Discovery 3 Petrol

[specwarop]

Hey Guys,

I purchased a 2006 Discovery 3 4.0L about a month ago now, and will be travelling out to a remote(ish) farm in WA.

I was wondering, prior to leaving I will of course put the recommended 95RON petrol in, but I doubt there will be any PULP available out there.
Will it be alright to put 91RON in? I know there will be a performance reduction, but will any actual damage be done?

I always thought it was fine, until I owned a VW Jetta which is 98RON, and heard engines in those fail if using anything less.

Thanks for your help!

[DiscoJeffster]

I've seen 95 nearly everywhere I go. You can look it up I think on some of the apps I've come across, so maybe think about where you're likely to refuel or need to refuel to avoid it. As for whether the engine's knock sensor is able to detune to 91, I'll leave that to someone else to answer. Personally I'd avoid it and plan refills.

[cripesamighty]

Any of the fuel apps will show what fuel is available at whatever location you will be passing through (city or country) when you do your trip planning. If you get caught short, maybe an octane booster added to a tankful may keep you out of trouble. I don't know how effective these products are, but I saw this site the other day (see below), and it looks like the Perth based NF branded booster was the best of the ones tested. I'm sure more learned fellows (petrol D3 owners) should be along shortly to give you more definitive advice.

Octane Booster Shootout (http://www.fuelexpert.co.za/Octane-Booster-Shootout.php)

[The Mighty Range Rover]

It does say in the manual that you can use 91 rated. I have used it for over a year with no issues. An outback trip will be fine.
Plus the manual says 91 can be used.

[Aussie Jeepster]

I've run 91 in mine and no problems. It seems to feel and driver better with 95, but when there are no other options, 91 is no problem.

[PhilipA]

You could always use 10% ethanol which is 94 octane.( in NSW anyway)

in your case it could work out cheaper also as the ignition would not retard so much as when 91 is used.

Regards Philip A

[specwarop]

Yeh according to FuelWatch WA, there isnt any 98RON east of Narrogin, (and 95RON is even more sparce)...

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[Roger63]

I had a Petrol D3 4.0l till just recently and over the years learnt that filling it with 98 only made money go away faster. There was little appreciable difference in performance or economy regardless of octane rating rating. We did a trip from Adelaide to Sydney, averaged around 13/100 using 91.

[Roger63]

I had a Petrol D3 4.0l till just recently and over the years learnt that filling it with 98 only made money go away faster. There was little appreciable difference in performance or economy regardless of octane rating rating. We did a trip from Adelaide to Sydney, averaged around 13/100 using 91. Mostly around town it would do 17- 18/100.

[specwarop]

Well did the first leg today and the 4.0l averaged 13.4l/100km which is good I think vs what I've read others get in here...I think.

Did notice that the radiator fan really saps the power and acceleration when it's running (seems to be all the time)... Wasn't even that hot a day... Might need to look in to that, or maybe go an electric set up....