Fuel for 1971 super beetle
20

Asked by Lblossom Nov 29, 2023 at 10:42 AM about the 1971 Volkswagen Beetle

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I just bought this car and of course the manual was written before ethanol and
the change in other gas formulations and ratings. Is it different in its fuel needs
from earlier models? Do I need to add a lead additive and should I use regular
or premium? It seems the regular may be higher now than it was in 1971. I may
well just have to use whatever ethanol free is available. The sound of the car is
so different from my Prius - but familiar in a long ago way when I rode with my
boyfriend in 1970 in his beetle.

1 Answer
310,565

Gene answered about a year ago

If you can find ethanol free fuel that would be ideal. Yes you should run a lead substitute unless the engine has already been redone(hardened valve seats, valve guides and valves)to handle unleaded fuel. Regular unleaded fuel will work unless the engine has been modified with a big bore kit then midgrade is as low as you should go as far as octane rating. Hope this helps.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Fuel for 1971 super beetle 1 Answer

    I just bought this car and of course the manual was written before ethanol and the change in other gas formulations and ratings. Is it different in its fuel needs from earlier models? Do I need to a...

    1971 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Engine for super beetle 9 Answers

    I have a 1974 volkswagen super beetle ,is there a newer engine, fuel, injected, water cooled,that I can put in it? The air cooled engine always needs work. I am looking for a dependable engine, tha...

    1974 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • New engine for 1974 super beetle 14 Answers

    Hi it's Andy again sorry for being so much trouble I don't know anything about cars. My last question about a newer motor for a 1974 super beetle I forgot to mention it is a semi- automatic , dose t...

    1974 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 1976 super beetle, electric fuel pump 1 Answer

    the fuel pump in my 1976 super beetle gets power when I turn the key to start and it starts right up but as soon as I release the key the power is cut off to the fuel pump, any ideas why? could it b...

    1976 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Can I put bumpers from a 1974 beetle on a 1971 super? 1 Answer

    I would like to replace my bumpers on my 1971 super with ones from a 1974. Is this possible?

    1971 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Shortcuts

Search Volkswagen Beetle Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    3,220
  • #2
    Chris Billings
    Reputation
    2,980
  • #3
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    2,150
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Porsche 911
28 Great Deals out of 481 listings starting at $21,888
Used Ford Mustang
60 Great Deals out of 1,365 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford Bronco
24 Great Deals out of 1,289 listings starting at $37,000
Used Toyota Corolla
146 Great Deals out of 2,444 listings starting at $3,900
Used FIAT 500
4 Great Deals out of 139 listings starting at $3,493
Used Dodge Challenger
22 Great Deals out of 455 listings starting at $7,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.