Octane is rated different in EU and NA. There are 2 ways, we actually average the 2 in NA. Anyway 98 in EU is 91-93 here.

Running a higher octane won't help.

 

I heard on the news today that the price of gas right now, corrected for inflation is the same price that was paid in the 50s; if you think about it gas is one thing whose price hasn't inflated over the past decades...think of it as a correction for inflation Remember the days when gas was under $1 a gallon for 87 in '98?

 

Actually I am confused to why we use premium gas since we are n/a?
My 300zxTT used premium but it had 2 turbos and then later on power over 450HP. If you didn't use premium gas you would get engine knock which is verrrry bad!!

 

Simple 11:1 compression is why

 

A friend of mine had an Audi TT (that his fiancee forced him to sell). It required premium (91) but he would only fill it up with regular (87). He did this for about two years before having to sell it. The engine never pinged or knocked... I was amazed.

That said, sometimes I will put 89 octane in the S especially when the gas stations look like they are gouging for premium. It doesn't make sense when 87 is $2.09, 89 is $2.19, and 91 is $2.49.

 

Most of the new engines have "protection" built into the ECU and can sense lower octane thus retarding timing and engaging the knock sensor.. and you get less hp because of it. that said, unless you absolutely must use lower octane, I'm pretty sure it is not good for the engine long term.. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Shell premium or Sunoco 260 is all I use;been right around 1.99-2.02 a gallon

 

I use Chevron with Techron that acts as fuel injector cleaner.

 

Some of you guys are so lucky that premium isn't too much over $2.00! If it was only a dime difference, I wouldn't mind. But with a thirty cent difference, that's an extra $3 at the pump every time I fill up. Since I fill up two or three times a week, sometimes I cheat and buy 89 and then follow that up with 91 the next time at the pump.

I'll let you guys know if my engine starts falling apart as a result of this.