[DanZ]

In reading various post on this forum I see that most people are using regular gas in their cars, about 87 octane. I've been using 91 octane since the day I bought the car (2-10-17). Would I be damaging my car in any way by using the higher octane fuel?


Do any of you fellas use gas additives? The typical ones you see at the auto stores.



Thanks

[Dustya]

Originally Posted by DanZ

In reading various post on this forum I see that most people are using regular gas in their cars, about 87 octane. I've been using 91 octane since the day I bought the car (2-10-17). Would I be damaging my car in any way by using the higher octane fuel?


Do any of you fellas use gas additives? The typical ones you see at the auto stores.



Thanks

Not at all the higher octane fuel is better for your engine.

Without getting into it to technical there is a low octane map and a high octane map. When your car sees X amount of knock it will drop you down to lower timings to compensate for detonation the lower octane fuel is causing.

There is no negative side effect to higher octane fuel

[HCI2000SS]

Also you can probably pick up a handful of horsepower with premium fuel on a warmer type day over 87

[Glen e]

I disagree...the v6 is mapped for 87 and you wont get a damn thing thing except wasting your money putting in anything higher....

https://www.cars.com/articles/if-my-...1420684149356/

[Raptor Jesus]

Originally Posted by Glen e

I disagree...the v6 is mapped for 87 and you wont get a damn thing thing except wasting your money putting in anything higher....

https://www.cars.com/articles/if-my-...1420684149356/

You can disagree all you want, you still are 100% wrong. Like was said before, the car has a low and high octane map. It is not mapped for 87 octane only.

[Silverado57]

I always use what the manufacturer recommends in cars, motorcycles and power equipment. YMMV

[Dustya]

Originally Posted by Glen e

I disagree...the v6 is mapped for 87 and you wont get a damn thing thing except wasting your money putting in anything higher....

https://www.cars.com/articles/if-my-...1420684149356/

Hey Glen!!! Hope you are doing well :-). Our camaros have 2 diff Map Tables with higher and lower timings based on the type of fuel you use.. Now the engine doesnt know what octane you have put in the car so you are correct in that measure but if you are getting X amount of knock counts caused by lower octane fuels it will drop you into the lower timings MAP. Its does take time to move back and forth something like 2-300 miles.. so if you do switch to 93 the only way to get back into the high octane map is to keep using it.

[cellsafemode]

I only use premium. The difference in cost is negligible and the octane rating gives you a nice buffer in the case where they're low-balling the rating or the gas is contaminated with some water due to winter/etc. Never had a problem with knock or bogged engine feel.

[karmatourer]

Originally Posted by Dustya

Hey Glen!!! Hope you are doing well :-). Our camaros have 2 diff Map Tables with higher and lower timings based on the type of fuel you use.. Now the engine doesnt know what octane you have put in the car so you are correct in that measure but if you are getting X amount of knock counts caused by lower octane fuels it will drop you into the lower timings MAP. Its does take time to move back and forth something like 2-300 miles.. so if you do switch to 93 the only way to get back into the high octane map is to keep using it.

So I'll ask the obvious question,what if I use mid-grade? Which map then and if I switch,does it take 2-300 miles as you say?

[karmatourer]

Originally Posted by cellsafemode

I only use premium. The difference in cost is negligible and the octane rating gives you a nice buffer in the case where they're low-balling the rating or the gas is contaminated with some water due to winter/etc. Never had a problem with knock or bogged engine feel.

As far as any tangible benefits to filling up with pricier gasoline, the chances are slim to none. Up to .60 per gallon is significant if you drive 12k miles or more per year. I don't but I occasionally waste money on a bit of premium too. Maybe a bit more detergent in premium...………..or not.

[Raptor Jesus]

Originally Posted by karmatourer

As far as any tangible benefits to filling up with pricier gasoline, the chances are slim to none. Up to .60 per gallon is significant if you drive 12k miles or more per year. I don't but I occasionally waste money on a bit of premium too. Maybe a bit more detergent in premium...………..or not.

It's .40 more where I live. So that's $14 more a month for 93 over 87. For that the engine will produce more timing due to less knock, better throttle response, and more power.

[Dustya]

Originally Posted by karmatourer

As far as any tangible benefits to filling up with pricier gasoline, the chances are slim to none. Up to .60 per gallon is significant if you drive 12k miles or more per year. I don't but I occasionally waste money on a bit of premium too. Maybe a bit more detergent in premium...………..or not.

Lets call it a no knock table and a knock table.

The no knock table has higher timings = better performance
There is knock tolerance meaning its takes X amount of knock and X amount of events to drop you into the

Knock table = lower timings = less performance

Adding timing is the main method for increasing performance this is what determines at what point you are going to create combustion in the chamber

87 89 91 93 will all have different thresholds for detonation 93 being the best as far as pump gas goes. 87 being the worst. So if you are in the High Octane map from running premium or my guess 91 octane and you put 87 in your car will create knock and eventually have enough knock counts logged that it will put you in the lower octane map with less timing to protect the engine.

For cars that do not have diff map tables and are rated for 87 of course running 93 isnt going to do anything but these cars are smarter then that these days.

looking at a stock tune file there is an average of 10 degrees of timing pulled for being in the low octane map.. That is significant... This isnt something like its only pulling 2 degrees of timing etc.. not to mention it will pull even more timing to protect the engine for seeing knock.

[Evil-Bee-NH]

Originally Posted by Raptor Jesus

It's .40 more where I live. So that's $14 more a month for 93 over 87. For that the engine will produce more timing due to less knock, better throttle response, and more power.

Never thought I'd agree with you.

[Raptor Jesus]

Originally Posted by Evil-Bee-NH

Never thought I'd agree with you.

Polar vortex - cold day in hell