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Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:411,970 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 1:29:56 PM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse If the owner's manual recommends/suggest that a high end brand car only use 93 octane, would putting 87 REALLY damage the engine and parts? Also is it more recommeneded you only use 87 as emergency gas and run it out before putting 93 back in?

Firedawg99

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California

Posts:103
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Joined:Aug 2011

Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 1:29:56 PM

Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse

If the owner's manual recommends/suggest that a high end brand car only use 93 octane, would putting 87 REALLY damage the engine and parts?

Also is it more recommeneded you only use 87 as emergency gas and run it out before putting 93 back in?

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Z03 Sophomore Author New York Posts:216 Points:100,140 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 2:08:29 AM Ignore Z03 Report Abuse Use 93 if it says 93
JimBlake56 Veteran Author Akron Posts:376 Points:75,060 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 12:43:34 PM Ignore JimBlake56 Report Abuse I'm surprised it would say "audible knocking" etc. Modern engine controls can handle that pretty routinely. If they can put a knock sensor & the software to pull back spark timing on a base-model Civic or Hyundai, then why would a "high-end" car be any worse? The question/answer is beginning to get pretty specific, so we can decide whether we're talking in generalities vs. specific to a certain model & year of car.
gascomber Veteran Author Durham Posts:269 Points:53,955 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 9:20:04 PM Ignore gascomber Report Abuse idk but i wouldn't try it
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,260 Points:358,155 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 9:16:32 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hello, I sent Firedawg99 a very detailed explanation of Octane ratings and how they relate to engine timing, both pre-detonation and post-detonation. In it I referenced modern engines to those of bygone years and how with computer driven engines, there is only a limited amount of adjustment possible and virtually none by a mechanic (save "performance" chips which may void warranties). I also recommended searching the Internet for various topics to better understand the answer to his question. As always, thank you GBs for your feedback. I too learned a few new things :-). MGY
Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:411,970 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 1:07:34 PM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse After looking at the manual, it states that anything other than 93 will cause an audible knocking and acceleration will be greatly decreased.
Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:411,970 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 3, 2013 12:39:30 AM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse titanic- thanks for the info. I will have to look it up for the "exact" wording and get back with you all. Nice to see folks really care and trying to help out.
DasAuto92 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,449 Points:175,645 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:55:30 AM Ignore DasAuto92 Report Abuse Running the recommended octane delivers the best power and gas mileage. Saving a couple cents on gas when filling up doesn't equate to the loss of power and mpg. Running a higher octane than recommended usually does nothing for an engine since the ECU isn't mapped for it. Bottom line:If your 2nd most important purchase in life besides a home needs to be fed fillet mignan, don't feed it regular hamburger.
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,666 Points:868,070 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:52:49 AM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse follow the owner's manual.
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,260 Points:358,155 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:37:13 AM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Good Morning Firedawg99. There is a vast difference between the words "recommends" and "suggest". Most Owner's Manuals clearly state what is REQUIRED for your vehicle to operate properly. What would help you and fellow Gas Buddies is to provide the exact wording and information about the vehicle and its engine. From your last sentence, I am assuming (that usually gets me into trouble) that the engine was designed to run on a higher Octane rating than 87. If that be the case, yes it would be prudent to use it before filling up with 93 Octane. I would suggest driving the vehicle gently as you are dealing with engine timing (pre-detonation & post detonation) and perhaps variable valve timing (my engine has this). The computer can only "adjust" an engine so much. Using 87 Octane shouldn't cause major problems one time unless you really push the limits on the engine. I also question what would be an "emergency" condition that would prompt someone to use 87 Octane instead of 93 Octane or why that would be mentioned in the Owner's Manual. I found an Exxon FAQ document which may help you: Exxon Fuel Frequently Asked Questions You will note that it refers you to your Owner's Manual for the recommended fuel. You can also read other articles by doing a Google search on "gasoline octane". Best Wishes :-) . MGY [Edited by: Titanic1985 at 2/16/2013 10:39:05 AM EST]
Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:411,970 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 11:16:07 PM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse Thanks for the info. I just like to see what everyone says.
DriverMatt Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:15,492 Points:2,000,000 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 6:36:10 PM Ignore DriverMatt Report Abuse I made the mistake of buying a "premium only" car once before but never again. I used 87 a few times but would agree that its best using what the owners manual calls for.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,249 Points:122,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 5:40:57 PM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse If you can't afford to run premium as the manual says you can't afford the car. If it was a one time mistake don't worry about it.
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,196 Points:359,515 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 11:27:53 AM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse I've done this in the past. It won't ruin your car, but you will feel the weaker response when you need it.
Saab93turbo Veteran Author Washington Posts:485 Points:85,235 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 11:24:40 AM Ignore Saab93turbo Report Abuse A few cars (usually more than 10 years old) require premium. I wonder if they mean 91 octane (premium in most or all of California)?
kellyoneal Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,410 Points:704,590 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 10:56:49 AM Ignore kellyoneal Report Abuse 93 will make it run better
JimBlake56 Veteran Author Akron Posts:376 Points:75,060 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 9:25:57 AM Ignore JimBlake56 Report Abuse I think it's more often related to advertized power. If a carmaker wants to claim a bit more power, they can tune the enigne to take advantage of the higher anti-knock-index. Then they'll say to use 91-AKI "recommended". That doesn't always mean a lower AKI will do any damage. The damage question needs to address the "minimum required" AKI, rather than the "recommended" fuel. Still, there's probably a few cars where the EM will back off the spark or boost just a bit too slowly, and lower AKI might just cause trouble over the long term. But you can't just make a blanket statement for any & all cars because I think that situation is not very common. You have to ask that question for a very specific engine.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:14,969 Points:1,875,915 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 9:24:16 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse Use what the owner's manual says to use. You don't want the pinging from not having the right octane.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,526 Points:2,836,065 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 9:18:03 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse There is a difference between recommended and required. If it is required, then you should use premium. If it is recommended I see no reason why you couldn't use 87 octane.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 5:19:18 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse THere's a reason that manufacturer recommends a particular grade. They feel comfortable with their warranty at a particular grade, but don't with other grades; so I stick with what they recommend.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,788 Points:2,895,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 5:12:13 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse If the owners says to burn it, by all means burn it.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,165 Points:3,352,475 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 5:00:18 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse Follow the owners manual. Fuel octane recommendations is one of the first things I take into consideration when purchasing a vehicle.
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,553 Points:2,380,205 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 12:48:07 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse It won't damage the engine, but your fuel economy will be noticeably worse, so it may be the better deal to use premium
14smoke Champion Author Birmingham Posts:13,204 Points:1,924,165 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 4:19:49 PM Ignore 14smoke Report Abuse The computer will retard the timing so you won't get that knocking sound that used to be associated with running low octane fuel in a car requiring higher octane. However, if the manufacturer recommends it, the performance will suffer and, over the long-term, yes, it could cause damage to the internals of the engine. I wouldn't do it often.
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,606 Points:789,560 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 2:17:35 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse It could. But one should also differentiate between a "recommended" fuel and the specified minimum requirements. Many who purchase high end vehicles want to be told they have to spend lots of money to keep it happy and those who write the owner's manuals know how to keep their clientele happy. "Your car is so good that it has to have the most expensive gasoline you can find." "Your car is so good it has to have the most expensive synthetic motor oil you can find." "Only authorized <fill in the blank> dealers have mechanics smart enough to keep your car running." In 2000 Toyota worded the Avalon owner's manual to say to owners who wanted to have to buy premium that they should do so. But to a careful reader it said 87 octane was the specified fuel used for EPA ratings.