FAQ: The Right Gasoline
08-09-2005, 03:16 PM
#21
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This old artical from Car&Driver is interesting too.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...4&page_number=2
Summary: "Cheapskates burning regular in cars designed to run on premium fuel can expect to trim performance by about the same percent they save at the pump. If the car is sufficiently new and sophisticated, it may not suffer any ill effects, but all such skinflints should be ready to switch back to premium at the first sign of knock or other drivability woes."
The premium gas is almost alway around 20 cents more than regular at most gas stations for many years. When regular was $1, that 20 cents is 20%. Now, regular is around $2.55 in So Cal and 20 cents more for primium representing only 8% penalty.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...4&page_number=2
Summary: "Cheapskates burning regular in cars designed to run on premium fuel can expect to trim performance by about the same percent they save at the pump. If the car is sufficiently new and sophisticated, it may not suffer any ill effects, but all such skinflints should be ready to switch back to premium at the first sign of knock or other drivability woes."
The premium gas is almost alway around 20 cents more than regular at most gas stations for many years. When regular was $1, that 20 cents is 20%. Now, regular is around $2.55 in So Cal and 20 cents more for primium representing only 8% penalty.
08-09-2005, 04:02 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by cthree,Aug 8 2005, 11:59 PM
Good article Tugz. That's the plain truth whether people want to believe it or not. Running regular gas (87) is not harmful at 11:1 NA compression. Now drop 1 bar of boost on that and you could have issues (1 bar is one atmosphere of pressure, about 12 psi depending on where you live).
On a stock S2000 running regular 87 octane probably wouldn't show on a dyno and appear as normal variation. The ECU will map back the timing if it detects knock (that's IF not when). So long as the ECU can ratchet back the timing enough to compensate (and it can) there is no problems with it. It's not cleaner, more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient or anything of the sort; it's gas.
I run 87 in the wife's bimmer (the only place it says use premium is on the gas filler flap in a tiny sticker that is the same color as the paint (you need a reflection to see it). There is no appreciable difference in performance in her car as compared to 91. For the S2000 I use 91 mainly because I drive the snot out of it in very hot conditions and I always have (it's a habit).
On a stock S2000 running regular 87 octane probably wouldn't show on a dyno and appear as normal variation. The ECU will map back the timing if it detects knock (that's IF not when). So long as the ECU can ratchet back the timing enough to compensate (and it can) there is no problems with it. It's not cleaner, more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient or anything of the sort; it's gas.
I run 87 in the wife's bimmer (the only place it says use premium is on the gas filler flap in a tiny sticker that is the same color as the paint (you need a reflection to see it). There is no appreciable difference in performance in her car as compared to 91. For the S2000 I use 91 mainly because I drive the snot out of it in very hot conditions and I always have (it's a habit).
Cheers!
10-07-2005, 07:54 PM
#23
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For whoever mentioned octane booster, it even says on the bottle "*can* boost octane up to 10 points". then it says in fine print that 10 points = one octane.
worthless crap. it won't even give you one octane in most instances.
worthless crap. it won't even give you one octane in most instances.
10-08-2005, 06:38 PM
#24
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my family don't use nuttin, but 87.
03 navigator requires premium (91+). we used 87 for almost 55k miles and it's still running strong...maybe too strong considering the gas money
This bitch takes almost $80+ to top off here in GA at 2.99 for 87. extra .20 difference for 91 is almost $20. Not happening as we fill that tank once or twice a week.
05 lexus rx330 requires premium as well. We actually planned on using at least 89 for this just because...,but damn katrina hit and the gas prices sky rocketed. So we said screw it and put 87. It's now over 2k miles and probabaly too soon to notice anything, but we're still getting over 20mpg so i assume it's okay.
02 s2000 requires premium. this is my car and i put 87. i don't usually vtec or shift above 4-5k rpm. when i hit the mtns. i use 91. i've had it for 15k+ miles and no problem.
We usually sell the car around 50-60k miles (excluding this navi) for a new one though...
03 navigator requires premium (91+). we used 87 for almost 55k miles and it's still running strong...maybe too strong considering the gas money
This bitch takes almost $80+ to top off here in GA at 2.99 for 87. extra .20 difference for 91 is almost $20. Not happening as we fill that tank once or twice a week.05 lexus rx330 requires premium as well. We actually planned on using at least 89 for this just because...,but damn katrina hit and the gas prices sky rocketed. So we said screw it and put 87. It's now over 2k miles and probabaly too soon to notice anything, but we're still getting over 20mpg so i assume it's okay.
02 s2000 requires premium. this is my car and i put 87. i don't usually vtec or shift above 4-5k rpm. when i hit the mtns. i use 91. i've had it for 15k+ miles and no problem.
We usually sell the car around 50-60k miles (excluding this navi) for a new one though...
10-08-2005, 08:57 PM
#25
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the extra $0.20 per gallon will only cost you an extra $20 if you buy 100 gallons of fuel. your fuel tank is probably what, 25 gallons at absolute most? so an extra $5 or less for premium. if you can afford a navi, you can afford an extra $5 or less on a fillup.
10-09-2005, 05:13 AM
#26
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dayum...you're right! my math got twisted there...sorry for the confusion. anyways, my point wasn't about whether i can afford the extra $ or not...i find it absolutely pointless so i'll keep that extra $5 in my pocket. That's $5/fill up and about $300/yr.
i've never heard of a story where a car needed a mechanical work due to using lower octane gas than posted. I know using 87 on boosted cars is pretty much equivalent to putting water in the tank (exaggeration) so there i would invest in 91+ every fill up.
like someone mentioned earlier, 87 on NA IMO is okay.
i've never heard of a story where a car needed a mechanical work due to using lower octane gas than posted. I know using 87 on boosted cars is pretty much equivalent to putting water in the tank (exaggeration) so there i would invest in 91+ every fill up.
like someone mentioned earlier, 87 on NA IMO is okay.
10-11-2005, 04:24 PM
#27
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You guys are all so funny.
In the manual it says 91 octane is RECOMMENDED.
that means yoou can do what ever the hell you want.
it is recommended for all the reasons that everyone has stated.
In the manual it says 91 octane is RECOMMENDED.
that means yoou can do what ever the hell you want.
it is recommended for all the reasons that everyone has stated.
10-12-2005, 08:05 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by accordr33,Oct 11 2005, 04:24 PM
You guys are all so funny.
In the manual it says 91 octane is RECOMMENDED.
that means yoou can do what ever the hell you want.
it is recommended for all the reasons that everyone has stated.
In the manual it says 91 octane is RECOMMENDED.
that means yoou can do what ever the hell you want.
it is recommended for all the reasons that everyone has stated.
"Your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noises in the engine and will result in decreased engine performance."
Honda recommends 91 or higher.
10-12-2005, 09:11 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by dp32185,Oct 12 2005, 08:57 AM
recommends
If you have a brain tumor, your doctor will recommend that it be removed. You have the option of leaving there.
Honda also recommends oil change intervals, but why bother, it is cheaper to leave it in for 20K miles.
You can burn used french fry oil in your S if you want. Although you might notice a decrease in performance.