View Poll Results: What Grade Of Fuel Do You Use?
87
300
64.38%
90
55
11.80%
93
107
22.96%
Ethanol
4
0.86%
Voters: 466. You may not vote on this poll
Fuel Grades
08-23-2007, 08:14 AM
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-25-2006
Location: Enid, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,198
We have 3 shell stations in Enid, but none of them have 93 octane... Just 87, 89, and 91...
08-23-2007, 08:22 AM
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-17-2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,851
Do you have any Sunoco stations nearby? Sunoco has Ultra 94.
08-23-2007, 10:09 AM
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-16-2007
Location: Seaforth
Posts: 449
Ummm that could have been what I was thinking when I said Shell. But, no, there isn't a Sunoco in C4th. There is one in Stratford, where I work, but the 91 octane is fine and Stratfords gas prices really suck. IMO as the city does! lol
Maybe I'll try 91 next and see if it improves anymore.
08-27-2007, 05:58 AM
#86
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-30-2007
Location: Western New York
Posts: 132
I have to pipe in here. I have a restored 1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 that I would not put anything but the top shelf fuel in, but I also have a 1995 Tahoe with 425K miles on it that has never been apart and never had anything but the cheap stuff run through it. Most of today's cars are designed to run on 87 octane and if it was good enough for 425K in the Tahoe, the HHR is getting fed that also!
12-10-2007, 05:57 AM
#88
Member
Join Date: 07-23-2007
Location: Kansas
Posts: 54
Good, that's the ONLY thing you can do if you want "better." A good additive package is one thing (Top Tier gas is supposed to have that, but it doesn't necessarily mean all fuel NOT on the Top Tier list is bad).
For the benefit of others in this thread it should be said over and over: a higher octane rating alone does not improve ANYTHING if you're using the octane recommended by the manufacturer and your motor is factory stock.
OTOH if you own stock in some oil companies, you can look at using premium fuel as making a contribution to your retirement
For the benefit of others in this thread it should be said over and over: a higher octane rating alone does not improve ANYTHING if you're using the octane recommended by the manufacturer and your motor is factory stock.
OTOH if you own stock in some oil companies, you can look at using premium fuel as making a contribution to your retirement
12-10-2007, 03:11 PM
#90
Join Date: 12-05-2007
Location: Jackson, MI
Posts: 5
I can see how the 2.4 would like the higher octane. With the vvt, they should be able to push the limits on compression and valve event timing to enhance efficiency. I know mine is pretty sensitive to air temperature now that it is below freezing here...probably lost 2mpg using 87 oct. I think i'll try something higher next tank and see what it does.
As for av-gas... it brings some of it's own oxygen to the party...so the ECU will think it's lean and richen it up more....still sensing lean.... they blend it that way because a plane flies in high altitude (read low oxygen content) air....it's also colder the higher you go, so you can afford to run the engine on a hotter fuel. So not good at all for any street car....unless you are running a restricted carb class such as in circle track racing.
Also, as for Octane boosters...if you are trying to boost 87 octane...save your money. i did studies while in college on this and it doesn't make financial sense to add the booster....you are better off getting the next higher grade octane.
All gasoline fuel sold in the Sates is required to have a basic additive package which includes detergents and anti-oxidizers. It's not like 20 years ago where you could get gas with no detergents in it...that's what caused a lot of the coking/carbon build up on exhaust valves, etc. If you want to reduce the varnish build up on injectors, just get some of the seafoam fuel system cleaner...that works and you just use it once every few years. No need to buy higher octane gas thinking that it will keep things cleaner.
Buy gas at stations that have a high turn over(ie no water in the gas) and offer the octane that you are looking for. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
Scott
As for av-gas... it brings some of it's own oxygen to the party...so the ECU will think it's lean and richen it up more....still sensing lean.... they blend it that way because a plane flies in high altitude (read low oxygen content) air....it's also colder the higher you go, so you can afford to run the engine on a hotter fuel. So not good at all for any street car....unless you are running a restricted carb class such as in circle track racing.
Also, as for Octane boosters...if you are trying to boost 87 octane...save your money. i did studies while in college on this and it doesn't make financial sense to add the booster....you are better off getting the next higher grade octane.
All gasoline fuel sold in the Sates is required to have a basic additive package which includes detergents and anti-oxidizers. It's not like 20 years ago where you could get gas with no detergents in it...that's what caused a lot of the coking/carbon build up on exhaust valves, etc. If you want to reduce the varnish build up on injectors, just get some of the seafoam fuel system cleaner...that works and you just use it once every few years. No need to buy higher octane gas thinking that it will keep things cleaner.
Buy gas at stations that have a high turn over(ie no water in the gas) and offer the octane that you are looking for. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
Scott