-+= graq =+- wrote:
> I'm running a 1.4 Polo (2000), it is my first car and I am not exactly
> an expert - any help and advice would be fantastic.
>
> I think I know what pinking is, and I think the card pinks - like a
> tiny tapping (almost purring) sound? Is this really bad? Should I
> avoid it, and if so how?
>
> My car manual says the fuel type is Super 95/Normal 91. I have been
> using Super unleaded - should I be using Premium (which has higher
> octane?)?

Under normal conditions you should be able to use the range indicated
91 - 95 What is the octane of the fuel you have been using?

I suggest that you try a couple of tanks of the higher grade and see
what happens. If the pinging goes away then you could continue to use it,
but if you are using fuel in the recommended octane range, and it is pinging
and it goes away with higher, you may have an engine problem. A compression
check may indicate carbon build up for example or the engine may be running
hot or other possibilities.

>
> The oil level doesn't seem to be going down at all. Colleagues of mine
> have said that 'these days, cars hardly use any oil and wont need
> re-filling more than once or twice a year'. But I am concerned.

Actually many modern cars use more oil than the older cars. Not using
oil is not bad, it is good. That does not mean you should add oil once a
year. You should change oil based on the time or miles (which ever comes
first) recommended by the manufacturer in your owner's manual.


> And finally, I recently travelled a few hundred miles (on the
> motorway) getting the car up to 100 mp/h. It never felt strained,
> shakey, nor any loud noises, but it has started a low whine sometimes
> when I accelerate in 5th gear (it's about as noisy as the plinking,
> but gets louder the faster I go).
>

That's great, but I don't think your car was designed to travel that
fast for long periods. It is likely to damage the engine, and it is likely
to be unsafe, not to mention illegal in most places.

> Sorry for all the questions!
>
> I did look for some FAQs (and got diverted onto the LTV site and
> such), but it all looks a bit technical for me.
>
> Thank you.
>
> PS: The mail address aove is a spam trap, switch 'google' with
> 'vwpolo' for email replies.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math