I was just wondering, with my 99 V70 (non-turbo) - do I need to be using premium gas or is regular (87 octane) ok to use?

According to my instruction manual (just read it yesterday) it should be at least 91.

I actually have a similar question with regards to fuel with ethanol. Here in Australia we have so called E10 unleaded fuel, which has 10% ethanol. Is it safe to use this fuel with my 1997 V70 2.5 turbo? From reading several articles on the web, depending on how the ethanol was made (alcohol or biological), it can deteriorate rubber hoses and plastics. The ethanol here is biological, but nobody seems to be able to give me a regular answer whether I can use this fuel or not.

answer number one, use the middle octane, at least. you might experience detonation if you use 87, or you might not. but do you want to risk it. for number two, i think you should be okay. as long as it doesnt go over 15%. there was something on the news that was similar to your question. good luck to both of you. :grin:

Thanks for that!! It's strange how they just implemented the fuel but not really given a lot of thought to whether the cars can withstand it.

it's always about the money. they could have implemented these changes years ago. they were doing it in california and the west coast about 15 years ago, then it suddenly appeared here on the east coast. just like that. so, as long as you stay abreast of the situation of how much ethanol is injected into the fuel you pump, you should be okay. oh, and are you the butler to the cats, or the driver? coming from experience :banana:

Question for your 'Mr Greek'....I use the 91 octane only because I have the twin turbo's on the S80....Have used 89 Octane w/ no problems although the gas mileage is better w/the 91....
My question, if you or anyone knows., is there a difference between octane rating here in the US and say Australia/Europe.? and if so would like to know....I have seen someplace or read that our 87 is 91 octane in Europe....Just like to clear things up a bit.....Thanks for any info....

Just as an update. I got the following reply on my question to Volvo Australia:

"Thank you very much for taking the time to write to us in relation to your Volvo V70 Ethanol Blended Fuel enquiry.

Please be advised that the use of E10 is suitable for all Volvo vehicles manufactured from 1986 onwards, provided that the petrol content is of the same octane rating as that recommended in the owners manual."

this is for damotu, no, the us rates it gas slightly lower than europe. most of by brood is in europe (THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) anyway, you can get 101 octane at the pumps. i remember that citgo used to have 100 octane here in ny about 10 years ago, then, nothing. their diesel is also different. goes with their epa standards. theirs are much more stringent, like japan. we are about 10 years, or so, behind them. because we loooooooooooooove our gas guzzlers. hey, just look at my fleet of cars. collectively i use about three oil tankers worth. idling. waiting for a chance at a burnout. :banana:

Damotu:
As a Swede living in the states I did a little research when it came to the octane levels. In Sweden 95,98 and 99 Octan is used when it comes for gasoline. Earlier the level 93 and 96 octane was used.
The 87 was used about 20 years ago and contains much more led which has been banned in fuel for about the same time of period.
However the majority of cars are runs on 95 or E85.
E85 (104 octan) is approximately 38 % cheaper then 95 Octan (for the moment). Last year 2007, the sales of diesel car outrun the gasoline car with 42 %. The diesel in Europe is somehow cleaner??? than over in the USA, therefor the diesel cars are not common yet. There are several advantages with diesel engines, they run cleaner with better effinciency, you will get a better torque, and you will get a better miles to the gallon, about 30% better.
Pricewise: there is allmost no difference in price between oktan 95 and diesel.
Sweden has the highest rating of diesel called MK1, which they are alone in the world to use. Then the rest of European countries follows with the Euro-Diesel.
When it comes to this question, I have included a link where you can the whole explanation (science) behind octane.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

To conclude this topic, read your owners manual, in it you will find what octane your car should run on.

All the best to Volvo owners around the globe.

Once a Volvo owner, allways a Volvo owner.
Volvo means I am rolling in latin :thumbsup:

for cheneyv70, the diesel in europe, besides sweden, is cleaner because the base product is more produced. for mercedes to offer a diesel here in the US, it needs to have urea injected into the fuel to keep it clean. the US standard is lower. our diesel cars can run on number 2 home heating oil. there is not difference, just the color. otherwise, we in the US would have had access to more diesel products like in europe and asia. e85, while comparable to 95 octane, needs more fuel to produce the same power. the benefit of e85 is the cost. cheaper than gas but in the long run, it's the same because you will have to fill up 2 1/4 times to 2 times for gas. that is an approximation based on a buddies monte carlo running on e85 with a blower as opposed to the same sized engine with efi and a blower. he got 17 mpg with the efi and 14.9 with e85. but in savings, he paid $3.86/gallon of 95 octane and $2.79 for e85. big difference. not much else can be said. unless we all buy a 240 d and convert to vegetable oil. hey, my restaurants will supply the old veggie oil. we can all smell like french fries. :haha:

:) Now I know...Appreciate your information and the web site...Is interesting..
I did partically copy some of the report for my own benefit....As I previously stated
the difference between 87 and 91 octane in my case is the additional 20 cents per gallon and I do get better mileage with the higher octane...BUT is one ahead of the money game...Its a toss up...I just feel the car runs better with 91 and attribute this to the twin turbos...Probably runs cooler, but cannot prove this..
Thanks again for the information...

also, the computer doens't have to retard the timing to keep the car from predetonation. thus saving the pistons and valves. your engine is running more efficient. i know that 20 cents a gallon is a lot of money, but hey, it's only money :grin: don't you have a money tree in your backyard?

:) Thank You Mr 'Greek Mason'..Am caught up on my knowledge for the day....
Have wondered about this octane thing reading the many posts from people in Europe and Australia and there remarks concerning fuel and octane ratings....
Again, thanks for the info...
PS..One more question.? What are you doing with so many vehicles..?/Dealer..??
Hate to pay your auto insurance..I've got two, plus a travel trailer and costing a bit over $1200 a year....Take Care....

:460: Whats a money tree..????Don't we all wish....

i used to have more. am a chef/restaurant owner. these were all the toys i bought over the years and never got rid of. there were more, but the mrs wouldn't have it. said some had to go. had 15 cars and bikes at one time. most of them were track cars, and some were just being put together, not insured yet. with mine, the lincoln and the dodge run collectors insurance, 1/10th the price as long as i don't go over a certain mileage limit. the bikes, three are collectors, just for shows, the mrs mercedes is paid for by her company. so that just leaves the camaro, track car, the volvo and the impala. the volvo and the impala are driven daily, raced on the highway, and used to annoy neighbors with burnouts. :grin: