Mustang Road Trips - Grand Touring - Australia

[00GTXX]

We need a thread for Australian road trips past or planned. Maybe people can meet up along the way, or maybe you saw a car in your travels.

This morning (Sunday) I went from Henty NSW, through Albury/Wodonga to Beechworth VIC. Grabbed a quick coffee and went back.
The weather forecast for the day, no rain, but 32 deg+ temperature, I left early, 6.30am and was back about 10am, a good 3 hours or driving.
It was nice and cool initially 17 deg and 25 deg upon return.
Leaving so early on a sunday there was hardly anyone on the roads on the way south, which was great. On way back was a bit more traffic, but not bad.
I only saw two other Mustangs, none of them waved! One on the Olympic Way was a S550 Gun metal grey. The other was a grey S650 with factory stripes also on Olympic way, but on the way back.
No Highway Patrol sighted, but there was a stationary/mobile speed camera set up south of Culcairn on the way back.
Mustang went well, still has less than 1000 km travelled. A good wash was in order to remove the bugs once home.
Cant wait for the next outing.

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[5.0ALM]

I only saw two other Mustangs, none of them waved!

Blasphemy!
That will not be tolerated.

Were they both S550s?

 

[LouG]

Not a lot of waving over here either. But I did get a good deal on a new fireplace from an S550 owner

 

[Frogdog1]

I used to work slightly outside Brisbane often and was amazed at how you mates obey speed limits unlike us savage 'mericans. I guess the consequences for speeding are worse down under.

 

[fredm666]

I did a road trip 10 days ago, Perth to Adelaide via Albany/Esperance/Flinders Ranges. But it was in our 4WD and loaded with camping gear

Hopefully I will be able to hit the road properly with the GT in the next weeks or so, when back in Sydney.

 

[00GTXX]

Blasphemy!
That will not be tolerated.

Were they both S550s?

550 and a 650 obviously just another mode of transport for them

 

[LouG]

I used to work slightly outside Brisbane often and was amazed at how you mates obey speed limits unlike us savage 'mericans. I guess the consequences for speeding are worse down under.

Hefty fines and the points system will have you off the road in no time. And Aussie cops are worse than ours. Vicious.

 

[00GTXX]

I entered the Canberra Mustang Show on the 8th of February. It rained most of the time but was pretty good despite this. Many people drove a long way to go to the event. Was about 150 cars in total.
I took a couple of short videos.

 

[00GTXX]

Last Saturday I drove the S650 with a friend from Henty NSW to Bright Victoria, via Albury and Wodonga.
The google maps distance is about 170 km and time to travel a bit over 2 hours each way.
Trip was good, excellent weather and temp about 22 degC.
Got fuel at APCO Wodonga, think the price was $1.84 for 95. Only cost about $50 to fill from half was OK.
From there its down via Yakandandah and on some nice roads. Wasn't too much traffic on this day. Bright does get quite busy at times.
Had lunch at Visit us at The Riverdeck Kitchen Bright - The Riverdeck Kitchen which was really nice.
A wonder about the town for a look and then hit the road back again before it got too late to avoid the kangaroos.
Stopped in for some groceries at Albury and then home. Was a good day.
I probably only saw about 2 other Mustangs the whole way from memory and I think they were both S550s.

 

[5.0ALM]

Got fuel at APCO Wodonga, think the price was $1.84 for 95. Only cost about $50 to fill from half was OK.

You're running 95RON?
Manufacturer calls for 98RON..

Have you noticed any knocking, slower acceleration and performance issues?

 

[00GTXX]

Hi ALM, thanks for bringing that up.
In our crazy online manual they provide us with it does state a minimum of 95 Octane can be used. Ive attached a screen shot.
I always use 95 in it unless there is none available and I then I use 98.
I drive pretty sensibly usually, only really give it a bit when overtaking.
I've not noticed any pinging, rattling or knocking and power seems fine.
Since you have mentioned it, I might ask my dealer their thoughts on whats acceptable to use this Friday when I see them.

 

[5.0ALM]

Manufacturer information is all over the place!

The specs call for 98;

Yet behind the fuel cap says E10 suitable;

E10 is based on 91RON.

So in other words, anything from E10 > 91 > 95 > 98!

I guess the fuel injection system adjusts timing to avoid knocking, but this usually comes at the expense of power and fuel economy. ie; it can be a false economy filling up with a cheaper lower RON fuel if the economy/mileage is worse.

It would be an interesting exercise for somebody disciplined enough to repeat a tank worth of driving for each to see what the real-world impacts are. For the results to be meaningful, you'd need to replicate the driving around to be similar.


With only a ~10 cent/L difference, and a 50L fill from near empty, ~$5 difference, I'm not sure I could be bothered personally.

Please let us know what you dealer says though.

 

[fredm666]

I think these V8 or turbo engines work as supposed to with 95 or 98. The E10/91 can be used if needed in particular situations or emergency, but engine may not perform properly if this type of fuel is used constantly.
There is still a chance that, when a car maker says "use 98 or 95", it is to provide a 'premium feeling' to the customer and in reality there are no problems in driving with 91.

 

[fredm666]

Before this new GT I had a 1964 Mustang V8, and few mechanics told me to always use the 98 and never use the 91.
Of course different age of the engines, so probably comparable to a certain extent.

 

[Brisvegas]

Everyday driving with the odd WOT will be fine using E10 which is 94 ron , whilst i normally use U98 over the last couple months ive been filling with E10 due to price and you would not know the difference TBH out side a small drop in economy .... Clearly if you track/race your car use the best fuel you can but for the average old dude in a Stang you will be fine

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