Interestingly enough, I drive about the same running both 89 and 91 octane and I get the same average MPG no matter which one I use.

I have heard that when you buy gas, it isn't really exactly the number they say it is, because the gas gets all mixed together somehow in the process of delivery. Is this really true? One of my friend's fathers delivers gas for a living, so I trust him. He's also told me that Shell is one of the worst places to go for gas (at least in Northern California) because their holding tanks are filthy and not maintained well...

By the way, I don't fill up on 89 very often. I only do that when premium is over 20 cents more than midgrade for more than a week or so. It makes me wonder if they are just trying to gouge people...

I suppose, however, with all the calamities you guys are describing, that saving a few bucks here and there won't do me any good when I have to spend loads of money on a new engine.

 

Correct me if I am wrong please but my understanding is also that with todays engines being so efficiently controlled by the computers and the fuel being metered so exactly and burning at such a precise temp. that using gasoline with the incorrect octane rating will lead to increased carbon build up.

 

Benny, I do believe that was mentioned a few posts before yours.

 

minako...just get 91. no need to make things complicated.

add up the total amount of money you've saved by using 89. any sensible business person would know it is a useless thing to do.

...i thought you loved the S...is this how you treat the things you love...?

 

I heard his engagement ring was bought from one of those $0.50 machines at the front of Fuddruckers.

 

You are right... I was just being silly. Thankfully, I haven't filled up with 89 that often. Let's hope I haven't done any lasting damage yet.

The only reason I tried it out a few times was because of my friend being able to use regular in his Audi without any (known) complications. Thanks to you guys, I've learned about what could happen - and I definitely don't want that to happen to my baby.

 

I hope that was just a joke!

First of all, I'm not a boy.

Second, I think it's really immature to insult another person just because they may not know as much as you do. Give a girl some credit.

I really am trying to learn something here.

 

Ya, I was just joking!

 

ah okay! right back at ya

*thinks*

Do you think it would be worth it to use a fuel injector cleaner in my next few tanks of gas to try and do preventative damage control? Or if there already is carbon build up, will it be hopeless at this point?

 

OK, thx, i wasn't sure if the laws actually had ever gone into effect. However, it is arguable about their efficacy, and I have Googled and not found much or any enforcement of detergent performance. It is well known that all mfr's use Chevron with Techron when their cars are tested by the EPA, so certainly they would want every part of the fuel doing its best in those tests, and obviously not every mfr of gasoline "makes the grade".

Plus, there is no standard of detergency that covers the variances in all cars; same as with oil. The Camry V6's are known to muck up their oil passages. I have seen a number of cylinder heads and combustion chambers, and the variance in cleanliness is startling. That is why BG products, Bosch, and many other mfr's make systems to clean injectors, intake valves, top cylinders, etc. And of course, there are excellent aftermarket cleaners, like Techron, Regane, Red Line SI-2, BG 44K (very strong) etc.

Many dealers make use of these products as part of regular maintenance - they may be motivated in aprt or in whoile by money, but they also see driveability problems from deposits.

Also, laws passed in 1996 may not reflect subsequent gasolines, especially the alcohol-laden "reformulated" gas used in California and in many cities during the winter. They are notorioius for leaving residue.