Regular Unleaded

[strat61caster]

Wow.

Yes you should put premium, its not that much more expensive.

There will be zero damage or lasting effects with 87, that's the whole point of those annoying computers, they make the car adaptable and resiliant because it can detect a problem and correct if possible or shut down entirely. The consequence of running a lower octane will be retarded timing resulting in a less efficient burn which will give you less power and potentially a less even running engine.

The reduction in power usually equates to an increase in fuel consumption, you may not feel it if you were blindfolded and had a truly scientific comparison and if you pump the gas yourself I don't think you can offer a truly objective opinion, I know I make up stuff all the time like how it feels snappier after an oil change.

In the end its your car, run it on moonshine and tell the rest of us to fuck off.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_timing

[DuMa]

no 93 in CA... have to run 91 or 92 Shell V-Power wherever i can find it. Although i'm very wary its actually 92 octane.

[cywinr]

I've tried it. The most noticeable difference is that the car stutters a lot more in low revs, especially in first gear. You feel a big difference. Power delivery doesn't feel smooth, you can feel it through the throttle. MPG goes down.

You can try filling 87 just once to see the difference. It can't be that bad, right? Just once. It becomes clear why 91+ is recommended. I fill 94 with 0% ethanol now. Worth it.

[N1rve]

Technically the car will run on 87 no problem. The ONLY issue will be pre-detonation of the gas..which will result in knocking...which will then mean retard the timing...which means less HP.

If that's okay with you... then fill up with 87. This car is tuned to run on 91+.. you WILL benefit from running on 91+ Octane..unlike other cars that require only 87, they will not benefit from running 91 Octane.

[Wilso]

Originally Posted by n8dog11914

I don't want to be a jerk, but people shouldn't be buying this car and modding it only to complain about the price of premium fuel. Daddy probably shouldn't have bought you the car in the first place.

Funny thing is, I own the car and pay for it myself, my dad just likes giving advice. So take that comment to your daddy and shove it

[Wilso]

Thanks for the info and replies, snarky or not I'll just stick to telling him that this car is too finicky to try it and I'll stick with 93..

P.S. I'd be much happier if my dad was paying for my car and giving me allowance still. Would help with all the other bills I need to pay for!

[nelsmar]

Yes I have done it. the tip in knock can be quite horrid. It will also drop the advance multiplier near immediatly and your performance will suffer as the Ecu is going into a panic due to knock feedback. Stick to the proper fuel!

[stugray]

Everyone who says that the ECU will pull timing to reduce detonation are correct up to a point.

Once true "pre-detonation" occurs, spark timing cannot do anything to stop it.

Detonation that occurs due to too low of an octane and too high of a compression ratio can occur before the spark occurs.
When that begins to happen, the ECU pulling timing will make no difference.

The only way you can run non-premium fuel in this car and have it be "OK" is if you are at really high altitude.

[dizzario]

Dude fucking-a stop listening to idiots (Dad included) and run the correct fuel grade. This shit is checkers, not chess. Fuck.

[Wilso]

Originally Posted by dizzario

Dude fucking-a stop listening to idiots (Dad included) and run the correct fuel grade. This shit is checkers, not chess. Fuck.

A) haven't done anything but use premium B) my dad is giving
A suggestion C) act like a **** someplace else if you don't read the OP. Was
Asking if anyone's tried it and what the repercussions were.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Wilso

Thanks for the info and replies, snarky or not I'll just stick to telling him that this car is too finicky to try it and I'll stick with 93..

P.S. I'd be much happier if my dad was paying for my car and giving me allowance still. Would help with all the other bills I need to pay for!

Not too finicky... Too carefully tuned. 200hp on a 2L engine N/A is pretty good from the factory. Octane really just measures how controlled the burn is. Less unexpectedly explosive means you can keep the valves open longer or spark closer to max compression.

My dad owned a VW bus for years and carried a spare engine in parts because that was part of ownership, so he's always understood. Not everyone is so lucky.

Enjoy the ride.

[JARE_ee]

I don't think its worth it, but i feel for some reason to treat it like it was my kid. Give it the best i can give.

[fatoni]

despite the fact that most of the responses are pretty harsh, you should stick with 91-93. something to consider is that no matter the price of gas, the difference between the two is typically static and it really doesnt add up to that much. another thing is that your car will probably get better gas mileage on the recommended octane so that may more than offset the cost of gas if you look at the much more useful cost of mileage.

[dizzario]

Brother I'm saying don't listen to an internet forum. It's good to get input but don't keep asking questions when you're getting answers that are 50/50. The owner's manual says what to do. Live by it. Anyone else saying you can do otherwise is a fucking cheapskate. You're the twat here, kid. Stop asking lame questions. Can you seriously get mad at the rest of us? Don't cut corners ANYWHERE and you'll be just fine.