Originally Posted by Amaru (Post 6377212)

Out of the factory, almost no car needs anything more than 91 Octane, since that's all that's available across most of the US.

It may be different for $100k+ supercars, but normal whips like your 300Z will be more than fine with 91.

Furthermore, I think it's silly that you blame lower octane gas for your breakdown. Low octane just means shit performance, I highly doubt you damaged your engine.

Originally Posted by Amaru (Post 6377212)

Furthermore, I think it's silly that you blame lower octane gas for your breakdown. Low octane just means shit performance, I highly doubt you damaged your engine.

Originally Posted by Amaru (Post 6377212)

It may be different for $100k+ supercars, but normal whips like your 300Z will be more than fine with 91.

Originally Posted by Johnrb (Post 6377224)

so are you saying if you drove a turbo car designed to run on 91 with 87 for a few months and went WOT like i dunno 5 times a week that there would be no adverse effects?

i do know of knock sensors.. but I'm still doubting It would be adviseable? to run a lower octane on a car that needs premium

wouldn't this cause detonation/knocking/pinging ? after time possibly..

Originally Posted by Amaru (Post 6377254)

Yeah, that's certainly possible, but the car in question is an NA 300Z.

I think in modern cars with knock sensors, turbo or not, the timing would be adjusted for low-grade fuel. The result would be poor performance but not any damage. I tend to think dirty injectors or a clogged fuel filter would be more of a problem if you're consistently using shit gas.

Anyway, I'm no expert, so perhaps someone who is more knowledgeable can chime in. But, I do know that his 300Z will run perfectly fine on 91... seeing as how every other car in the US manages on 91 octane, including Ferraris, according to the last poster.

Originally Posted by Amaru (Post 6377290)

My apologies, I should have guessed from the "Holly" username... :P

Originally Posted by HollyZ32 (Post 6377265)

HAHAHA
lol THANKS!
im a girl btw hahaah

and what happend when my car broke down was if i can remeber
the guy that fixed it said that my engine extreamly suverly flood itself and it cause my car to have grounding issues ? and i needed new spark plugs and what not i cant remeber there was more stuff but it happend along time ago

Originally Posted by death_blossom (Post 6377366)

changing spark plugs on a Z32 is a bitch of a job I hear (as is any maintenance work on that car). I don't doubt the labour charges were unjustified.

but Holly, you should really know what kind of fuel your car requires! knowledge is power, start reading up. oh yeah, Chevron's Supreme fuel is 92 octane as opposed to the normal 91 octane at other gas stations. you can buy that grade of fuel for that extra "peace of mind".

Originally Posted by shenmecar (Post 6376679)

didnt we have a thread about "its okay to put regular in a car that requires premium"?

i think it should be fine unless its a turbocharged car.

Originally Posted by Manic! (Post 6378352)

Talked to a Petrocan rep today. They are getting rid of 94 oct at all there stations.

Originally Posted by Manic! (Post 6377232)

Ferrari recomends Shell gas and the highest they sell is 91.
No stock car from the factory sold in North America needs anything higher than 91 oct.

Originally Posted by Lomac (Post 6376969)

Kinda... Here's the Coles Notes of it:

If your car states that it "Requires Regular unleaded", you're fine putting in 87. If it "Requires Premium," your minimum octane is 91. If it "Recommends Premium," you can put in Regular as the car will adjust the timing to prevent detonation, though at a possible loss of horsepower and/or fuel consumption.

Conversely, putting 94 octane into an engine that only requires 91 or less can also have an adverse effect. Higher octane means a higher detonation point. An engine that is designed to run on a lower octane needs to run hotter in order to try to burn the higher octane. As a result, you end up with hotter engine temperatures, more unburnt fuel going through your exhaust (which will lead to a premature death on your cats), and worse fuel mileage.

The only reasons why you would put higher octane into your engine than what the manufacturer recommends is if you've modified it in such a way that you have higher compression, and/or are running some type of forced induction.