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Nope, run 93. My Caddy says "Premium Fuel Only" on the dash and I have never put anything but 93 in it. Don't cheap out or you will risk damaging the engine.
Both of my vehicles require, or maybe request, a minimum of 91 Octane fuel or "expect a reduction in performance and/or mileage."
Although I have only used Shell V-Power Premium in either one, I cannot imagine a "reduction in performance" would be noticeable in the 2005 SSR but the 1986 Jeep CJ-7 could be much worse.
Either way at only 10 to 20 cents extra per gallon . . . not worth the negative possibilities.
My "new" 2003 Vibe GT requires 91 octane. I did put some 87 in it before I remembered it needed premium and I guess it did not like it. The check engine light came on and I got a few fuel system/ catalytic converter codes. So I've been using 93 and some 89 since then.
From the owner's manual:
If your vehicle has the 1.8L H.O. DOHC engine
(VIN Code L), use only premium unleaded gasoline
with a posted octane of 91 or higher. In an emergency,
you may be able to use a lower octane as low as 87.
if heavy knocking does not occur. Refill your
tank with premium fuel as soon as possible. Otherwise,
you might damage your engine. If you are using 91 octane or higher
octane fuel and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Use the 93 octane. High compression engines require higher octane due to spontaneous pre-ignition caused by the instability of heptane (a major component of gasoline). It has nothing to do with and cannot be 'fixed' by retarding the timing (as if that was even a simple thing to do anymore). It has to do with the stability of the chemical composition of the gasoline. If you don't run the proper fuel, you run the risk of damaging the engine. The extra 20 cents per gallon is a small price to pay considering that a new engine or a rebuild will be cost you a few thousand dollars.
Get the 93. If you go with 89, any savings you get at the register will go away with the engine retarding timing at the least... and that is as long as it doesn't do damage.
Saving a few pennies at the pump by going below recommended grade is not the best way to be frugal.
It has nothing to do with and cannot be 'fixed' by retarding the timing (as if that was even a simple thing to do anymore). It has to do with the stability of the chemical composition of the gasoline. If you don't run the proper fuel, you run the risk of damaging the engine. The extra 20 cents per gallon is a small price to pay considering that a new engine or a rebuild will be cost you a few thousand dollars.
You don't know a lot about cars, huh?
Just about any modern ECU can adjust to running different octane fuels, and for regular driving, it's not going to harm anything.
Now if its a turbocharged car, or any type of forced induction, the higher octane is necessary... unless you stay out of the throttle and baby the car and never use the turbo.
No car comes from the factory requiring 93. It's 91, because that's the highest that is sold in some markets. The difference between 91 and 89 is very slight, it isn't going to harm anything.
I laugh at people who think they are getting 93 out of the pump because they push the button that says 93.
whether you want to believe it or not, you have burned 87 in your car plenty of times, you just don't think so.
Fill your tank with 93, calculate your cost and mpg. Do the same with 89 and do a cost vs mileage comparison.
Meanwhile, try and get a feel for performance differences, then make a decision.
Then post your findings for us to see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr
No car comes from the factory requiring 93. It's 91, because that's the highest that is sold in some markets. The difference between 91 and 89 is very slight, it isn't going to harm anything.
I've got a theory about that. Your 93 octane at sea level is our 91 octane on the eastern plains of Colorado and our 89 octane in the mountains.
I'd love to drive my old Chrysler down to sea level, put that 93 octane in there and see how it runs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bummer
Either way at only 10 to 20 cents extra per gallon . . . not worth the negative possibilities.
I'd agree with this.
Say you pay 20 cents extra for premium or 4 bucks a tank but get 1.5 or better mpg... do the math.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr
That was obvious.
At this point, why don't you two just DM each other and give the OP a chance to respond?
Last edited by McGowdog; 08-29-2014 at 09:01 AM..
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