Any problem using regular gas?

[JRA2000TL]

Only difference I noticed was my 93 ATX that I had 13 years ago. For whatever reason it hated regular. Both my 89 and 95 MTXs use 87 just fine with no problems.

 

[frosho]

So basically. If you use 87, the computer retards the timing when it hears knocking so gas mileage is less but the gas is cheaper.

Not quite. Lower octane fuel has a higher energy content (BTU's) than premium, so you can potentially get better gas mileage with the lower grades. It's a question of whether or not the EEC is pulling timing with regular fuel (based on feedback from the knock sensor), and I don't think you can answer that question without datalogging.

 

[SHOtime2511]

If your car is slower,runs poorly or gets worse gas mileage on 87 you have a problem other than fuel grade.
I've trapped 1/4 mile passes at over 99 mph on 87 and had road trips with 28+ mpgs.

 

[Irish Pride]

I'm no chemist and i'm certainly no expert, but my 91 gets better mileage on 92-93 octane than it does on 87, plain and simple. I get a steady 23-24mpg city and 31hwy with my car. Thats pretty damn good mileage if you ask me. I only use premium for that reason.

 

[vortex2450]

^ I with him. The science behind the arguement for 87 vs 91,92,93 is vaild but both of my SHO's had problems when I ran 87 octane.

Plain and simple, I can tell a noticable difference in power and fuel economy when I run premium, and I would dare to say that I do a good job of maintaining my car.

Even at idle, the car will run better running 93 octane vs 87 octane.

Just my $.02

-Josh

 

[RonPorter]

For those that DIDN'T read the Bedard article.....and it's moire than obvious by some of these posts.

It's not "hearsay".....he talked to the engineer, who was quoted.

it explained the "Premium Fuel Recommended" stickers they used. Which were changed at the Christmas break in '88.

That discussion with Bedard told us all we needed to know in '89. And it wouldn't have been released with a Ford engineer's name and quotes if Ford didn't want it out.

For all of you that now think you know better, sorry, your fulla shyte. Already been proven over the years, and Chris Smith did an excellent test a few years back.

Now, not saying that particluar cars, now with the agoe they are, as well as with varying local gas quality, that a particular fuel won't work better in a particular car.

BUT.........if you have a basically stock SHO, and higher octane gives you better results.....your car has some issues. Something ain't right......

 

[220ksho]

My Vibe GT and my SHO both get the premium that they recommend in writing on the dashboard.

I feel like the quality of the fuel is better with higher octane. Maybe it's not, but it gives me a warm and fuzzy inside. I like the way it smells better too.

It makes me laugh and shake my head when I see a corvette waiting in line at the Kroger gas station, with his engine running and his ass sticking out into the road, to get a $.06 per gallon discount.

I try to find the best brand, best gas, possible for my rust bucket.

 

[RonPorter]

My Vibe GT and my SHO both get the premium that they recommend in writing on the dashboard.

I feel like the quality of the fuel is better with higher octane. Maybe it's not, but it gives me a warm and fuzzy inside. I like the way it smells better too.

It makes me laugh and shake my head when I see a corvette waiting in line at the Kroger gas station, with his engine running and his ass sticking out into the road, to get a $.06 per gallon discount.

I try to find the best brand, best gas, possible for my rust bucket.

Smart dude @ Kroger. If I had a Lambo, I would be in line there also. As I am now with all our vehicles.

Oh, you must not shop enough at Kroger. It's $.10 discount/gallon at any Shell station with the Kroger card, but I have gotten up to a $1.00/gallon discount at the Kroger stations. Thank You, Nobamacare for tripling my medical expenses since 2010!!

Oil company advertising has brainwashed you!! Quality is NO better with higher octane!! In fact, the BTU count is lower. ANY additive to gas has a lower BTU than pure gasoline. Gas is, as Bob Lutz said years ago, the "miracle fuel".

Anyway, thank you for spending the needless extra $$, that help out my oil company investment holdings that will help fund my retirement!!

See my comments above about getting "pure" gas (back when it was generally available) versus RFG or alky fuel.

 

[220ksho]

Good talk.

 

[jedhead]

My bro's stock GEN1 SHO runs fine on the crappy 87 Octane here in California. However my modded GEN1 runs like crap on 87. Throttle response is much better with 91 Octane. My STS-V which is premium required runs better on 100 Octane gas blended to give 94-95 Octane. During the summer when its hot outside, the PCM is pulling timing out to prevent detonation because the IAT is very high, but the engine has a supercharger and can take advantage of the higher octane rating to get more power.
Ron is correct that unless your car is set up to produce more power with higher octane (forced induction, aggressive timing, high compression etal), you are fine with 87 Octane. Cars that are designed to run on 87 have shown to loose power on a dyno when 94 was used because the lower BTU content of the fuel.

Bob

 

[19sho90]

I have always ran 91 in mine. No particular reason, Just makes me feel good.

 

[Irish Pride]

Smart dude @ Kroger. If I had a Lambo, I would be in line there also. As I am now with all our vehicles.

Oh, you must not shop enough at Kroger. It's $.10 discount/gallon at any Shell station with the Kroger card, but I have gotten up to a $1.00/gallon discount at the Kroger stations. Thank You, Nobamacare for tripling my medical expenses since 2010!!

I dont know about other parts of the country, but here in Nashville Shell is the most expensive gas you can get. Even with the Kroger discount it is very easy to find cheaper gas at other stations.

 

[jc2001s]

One thing I think many people are also forgetting is this:

Gasoline loses Octane at about 2 points a month, in a non full tank situation.

So I used to work at fuel station that was highly used, we would get Reg Unleaded about 3-4 times a week (9,500 gallons each drop = 28,500-38,000 gallons/week), but we would only get Prem or Midgrade about once a month. The state of WI allows for this 2 point drop below what the posted Octane level, as does MN that I know forsure.

So lets say you fill up with 89 3-4 weeks after they received their fuel, the octane that you are putting in could be 87 or 88 octane.

I have never noticed any difference in any car I have owned, by changing octane points. **** my father has a new Hemi Challenger, he did a few tanks at 87 and has yet to notice any preformance or fuel mileage issues.

I agree if you have a stock car and you cannot run 87 then something could be messed up, our dashes say PREMIUM RECOMMENDED not Premium Required!

 

[RonPorter]

I agree if you have a stock car and you cannot run 87 then something could be messed up, our dashes say PREMIUM RECOMMENDED not Premium Required!

Minor bit of SHO history, but the early '89s, up until about the Christmas '88 plant shutdown, said "Required" on the dash. That was then changed to "Recommended" around January '89.

 

[RonPorter]

Cars that are designed to run on 87 have shown to loose power on a dyno when 94 was used because the lower BTU content of the fuel.

Bob

Over the years, there's been a coupla magazine tests done on this. One might have been MM&FF, and another was one of the import tuner mags I subscribed to in years past that ran a test on a Honda.