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Where down south? I see it everywhere between here and Mobile, AL. Either way, 93 is fine. 91 is the minimum. Sometimes you will get some detonation if you use a lower than recommended octane.
That is the key right there. If you were to experience detonation then you must use higher octane gas or risk damage to the engine and other vital components.
HOWEVER, many cars that "require" higher octane do not actually need it to prevent detonation, so you can use lower octane without worrying. Sure you might get a little lower fuel economy, but that will be made up for in less expensive gas prices. Your performance might also suffer some, but as long as you are not into aggressive driving and the need for speed, you will be fine. Just make sure not to put crappy gas in the car with high ethanol because that will screw up most cars. In reality most gasolines come from the same refinery, and only the additives are different once they are mixed in after the tanker truck is loaded with the generic fuel.
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.
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.
Generally speaking, all states perform unannounced octane checks on fuel sold through fueling stations. Here in Texas it's handled through the Texas Department of Agriculture department. Stations found not selling the correct octane for the price is either fined or forced to stop selling fuel. So it's a big risk to sell low grade fuel under the false impression of being high grade fuel. I used to haul fuel, I know. Most people don't notice the difference driving modern vehicles, even modern vehicle requiring high grade fuel. The reason is due to modern ECU that can account and adjust for low grade fuel. It's the older classic none EFI cars that generally figures out who's scamming who. They don't have ECUs thats pulls timing and knock sensors etc. When they experience pre ignition, the owner knows there is a problem and quickly figures out if it's their car are the fuel and files a complaint if it's the fuel.
The 10 or 20 cents a gallon is not a big deal now that gas is between $3-$4/gallon. When gas was $0.89/gallon like it was when I started driving in 1998, that 20 cents bought you a lot of gas. Now it's not even worth driving across the street to save 5 or 10 cents a gallon.
You don't need exactly 91, it's 91 or greater ... As others have said the computers adjust the timing. Of course you lose horsepower if you use less than recommended octane. That's definitely not good if you're towing a trailer.
Do a Google search on octane requirements in cars (educate yourself). Some cars actually get better mileage on the higher octane so the cost difference is not that much ... Plus if you figure total mileage driven & total dollars spent on gasoline, the few extra pennies you pay for premium only adds up to a few hundred $$$ pet year
The engine's computer doesn't sense what octane you have in your tank and then adjust the timing to match. It waits for the knock sensor to report there is detonation occurring during combustion. It then retards the timing to stop it. There is no light on the dash to show it is happening. But it is happening.
If it says it needs a minimum octane it would be best to put that in. As you go up in elevation the highest octane you will find is 91.
If you keep your foot out of it you can probably stay safe. Until you need to floor it on a cool evening and damage is done.
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