Just drove my new BRZ home... on the wrong octane. - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Stang70Fastback · 10-18-2014, 08:16 PM

So I just drove my new BRZ off the lot. The salesman filled it up with a tank of gas (it was only at 1/4 tank.) I know for a fact that he put 89 octane in it. I then drove it 90 minutes home. I'm now reading the owner's manual and it says never to use less than 91, and there are lots of posts on the forums about how 89 will cause damage.

This is a brand new car (had less than 10 miles on it.) Is 89 octane "safe" in the sense that you just don't want to do it long term, but that the car will just adjust timing and run poorly until I use up this tank, or are there larger forces at play here and should I be doing something else...? Will it cause even MORE problems due to the fact that I'm breaking the engine in with the wrong octane? I'm really hoping it's one of those things that's really not a big deal and that I shouldn't worry about causing damage.

Texas BRZ · 10-18-2014, 08:52 PM

From my prior experiences and past vehicles, I've also found out that many dealers put less than what's recommended, and that's why I've specifically written on paper of 'no fuel up' for my ordered BRZ. It doesn't make much of a difference however I'm just very OCD.

You should be just fine, I'm sure. As others would mention, go ahead and follow the break-in process and burn the fuel as you normally would so that you can focus on your next fuel up with the correct octane.

No worries, partner.

raven1231 · 10-18-2014, 08:54 PM

Yes, no worries at all.

*LongFella · 10-18-2014, 09:08 PM

You'll be fine. Just get some 91 in there asap

Rapiddan45 · 10-18-2014, 09:21 PM

Oh no! That's all bad!!!

ITS TOTALED

Tcoat · 10-18-2014, 09:33 PM

My dealer did the same and then argued with me when I said minimum 91. They thought that 91 was only recommended. Showed them the manual and they were rather embarrassed.
Not a huge problem as the ECM will adjust for it for the short time the tank will last.

VacantSky · 10-18-2014, 09:38 PM

And then you posted, in the WRONG FORUM... No BRZ's allowed in here

lol just pulling your leg.

But really you'll be fine! You were (hopefully) driving her easy as she is new. The car is factory tuned for 91, and that's how it will perform best, and make it's best power figures. On 89 you'll see poor power and poor fuel economy. Just fill up with premium min 91 and you'll be fine.

86-tundra · 10-18-2014, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapiddan45

Oh no! That's all bad!!!

ITS TOTALED

post like this should be automatically deleted.

calmtigers · 10-18-2014, 09:53 PM

it'll be fine, go out and enjoy your new brz!!

Stang70Fastback · 10-18-2014, 09:55 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah I realized this was in the wrong forum when I couldn't find it after I posted, lol. I'm definitely following the recommended break-in procedure (under 4k, no heavy throttle) so I haven't ragged on it at all. I kind of figured it was probably okay. I texted the sames guy and he said he asked their mechanic and the mechanic said 89 is fine, lol.

wbradley · 10-18-2014, 10:05 PM

There's a knock detection sensor that will make the ECU pull timing until you refuel with 91 or better. Most likely as previously stated, mileage and power will be marginally reduced but absolutely no harm will be done. The person who fueled up is a moron. And sadly it could have been the sales rep. They sometimes know the least as this doesn't deter their overall ability to close deals.

mid_life_crisis · 10-18-2014, 10:08 PM

As soon as there is any room in the tank start putting in the highest octane available. They'll average out.

Stang70Fastback · 10-18-2014, 10:10 PM

I'm going to wait till it gets to half and then put 93 in it. That should bring it to 91! :P

And 93 from here on out!

iStanley · 10-19-2014, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevorovert

post like this should be automatically deleted.

You shouldn't be so salty and learn to take a joke.

10-18-2014, 08:16 PM	#1
Stang70Fastback A.K.A. Starlord Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2015 Series.Blue Location: Illinois Posts: 1,842 Thanks: 845 Thanked 2,100 Times in 834 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Just drove my new BRZ home... on the wrong octane. So I just drove my new BRZ off the lot. The salesman filled it up with a tank of gas (it was only at 1/4 tank.) I know for a fact that he put 89 octane in it. I then drove it 90 minutes home. I'm now reading the owner's manual and it says never to use less than 91, and there are lots of posts on the forums about how 89 will cause damage. This is a brand new car (had less than 10 miles on it.) Is 89 octane "safe" in the sense that you just don't want to do it long term, but that the car will just adjust timing and run poorly until I use up this tank, or are there larger forces at play here and should I be doing something else...? Will it cause even MORE problems due to the fact that I'm breaking the engine in with the wrong octane? I'm really hoping it's one of those things that's really not a big deal and that I shouldn't worry about causing damage. Last edited by Stang70Fastback; 10-18-2014 at 08:28 PM.

10-18-2014, 08:52 PM	#2
Texas BRZ Imperfect Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2025 C8 Z06s and more! Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 925 Thanks: 374 Thanked 307 Times in 193 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	From my prior experiences and past vehicles, I've also found out that many dealers put less than what's recommended, and that's why I've specifically written on paper of 'no fuel up' for my ordered BRZ. It doesn't make much of a difference however I'm just very OCD. You should be just fine, I'm sure. As others would mention, go ahead and follow the break-in process and burn the fuel as you normally would so that you can focus on your next fuel up with the correct octane. No worries, partner. __________________

10-18-2014, 08:54 PM	#3
raven1231 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 2013 Firestorm FR-S, 2016 DGM WRX Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,580 Thanks: 8,264 Thanked 3,118 Times in 1,667 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Yes, no worries at all. __________________ http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59870

10-18-2014, 09:21 PM	#5
Rapiddan45 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S M/T Ultramarine Location: Hill AFB, Utah Posts: 127 Thanks: 41 Thanked 103 Times in 50 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Oh no! That's all bad!!! ITS TOTALED __________________ 2013 Ultramarine 6MT- Feal 441 coils, Whiteline 20mm front/18mm rear swaybars. RPF1 17x9 +35. 245/40/17 RS-3 V2. OFH, Invidia OP, Spencer Fab HFC FP, Invidia N1 C38 JRSC, JROC, Delicious Tune, Radium PCV Catch Can

10-18-2014, 09:33 PM	#6
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,841 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,295 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2499 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	My dealer did the same and then argued with me when I said minimum 91. They thought that 91 was only recommended. Showed them the manual and they were rather embarrassed. Not a huge problem as the ECM will adjust for it for the short time the tank will last. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

10-18-2014, 09:38 PM	#7
VacantSky The Angry Brit Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 1991 E30 318iS Location: NM Posts: 424 Thanks: 148 Thanked 361 Times in 155 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	And then you posted, in the WRONG FORUM... No BRZ's allowed in here lol just pulling your leg. But really you'll be fine! You were (hopefully) driving her easy as she is new. The car is factory tuned for 91, and that's how it will perform best, and make it's best power figures. On 89 you'll see poor power and poor fuel economy. Just fill up with premium min 91 and you'll be fine.

10-18-2014, 09:53 PM	#9
calmtigers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2014 Whiteout TRD FR-S 6MT Location: Fresno / DTLA Posts: 928 Thanks: 628 Thanked 376 Times in 214 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	it'll be fine, go out and enjoy your new brz!! __________________ "I love dinosaurs so much that I’ve based my life on burning as much black melted dinosaur flesh as I can on a daily basis...even the screaming sound of prehistoric reptilians being burnt through any of the classic Japanese four cylinders gives me great joy."

10-18-2014, 09:55 PM	#10
Stang70Fastback A.K.A. Starlord Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2015 Series.Blue Location: Illinois Posts: 1,842 Thanks: 845 Thanked 2,100 Times in 834 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Thanks guys. Yeah I realized this was in the wrong forum when I couldn't find it after I posted, lol. I'm definitely following the recommended break-in procedure (under 4k, no heavy throttle) so I haven't ragged on it at all. I kind of figured it was probably okay. I texted the sames guy and he said he asked their mechanic and the mechanic said 89 is fine, lol.

10-18-2014, 10:08 PM	#12
mid_life_crisis Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: FR-S 10 #103 AT Location: NC Posts: 1,519 Thanks: 101 Thanked 599 Times in 347 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As soon as there is any room in the tank start putting in the highest octane available. They'll average out. __________________ Necessity may be the mother of Invention but Desperation is quite often the father. “Sex is like Bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand.” - Mae West Papa said, "son there's a lot of evil temptations out there. Best to try 'em all so you know which ones to avoid."

10-18-2014, 10:10 PM	#13
Stang70Fastback A.K.A. Starlord Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2015 Series.Blue Location: Illinois Posts: 1,842 Thanks: 845 Thanked 2,100 Times in 834 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I'm going to wait till it gets to half and then put 93 in it. That should bring it to 91! :P And 93 from here on out!

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