Does fuel octane affect engine performance...

[bjlarson]

on the standard engine of the AWD Model? Does using a higher octane gas increase the engine's horsepower, acceleration and performance? I'm using the minimum octane now, which is 87. I can also get 90 and 93 in my area.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by bjlarson »Does using a higher octane gas increase the engine's horsepower, acceleration and performance? No.If an engine is designed for 89, it won't perform any better on 93. Some performance fuels have detergents, but IMHO those detergents aren't worth the added costs -- just get a $3 bottle of techron.

[bjlarson]

That's what I thought. Thanks.

[Stang2Vibe]

Actually, I've seen dyno tests of the same vehicle being run on regular (87 octane) and premium (93 octane) and the horsepower and torque numbers do improve a bit on premium gas. But it only works up to a certain octane rating so more isn't always better. Premium gas can help an older engine because the additional octane provides more resistance to predetonation.

[micbarric]

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but I've lately been wondering if the fuel recommendations in most owners manuals are made by marketing people rather than engineers. Check this link:http://www.usatoday.com/money/...x.htmAbout half way down the page, the reviewer of this '03 Accord refers to Honda engineer Yasuaki Asaki's info on the V6 power ratings:"The Accord V-6 ratings assume regular-grade fuel, and Honda will market it as a regular-fuel engine. But — pssst — it's good for another 10 hp and 10-plus lbs.-ft. on premium, acknowledges V-6 engineer Asaki."I don't know if higher octane gas would improve the base 1ZZ-FE engine performance, but is there a Toyota engineer who knows something we don't?

[northvibe]

mmmm when i was car shopping i saw some import v6's that HAD to have premium and of course the s/c or turbo's need them. I think most cars use 87 so we dont think we should race them, ive heard 93 etc. add extra power not a ton of course, maybe when gas is sorta cheap again ill go grab a tank of 97 and see how it goes.

[theangrydwarf1]

I know that if I use anything lower than the required 90 octane gas, my car runs rough. I know this much about octane ratings: the higher the number, the more resistant it is to predetonating. I'm not sure about added power though.

[Mavrik]

I always thought running a tank of higher octane every now and then would help clean out the engine a bit. And I will agree, all supercharged/turbocharged vehicles require 90octane and higher.

[Vibe_dude]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »maybe when gas is sorta cheap again ill go grab a tank of 97 and see how it goes.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH...sorry just thought that was really funny.lol ireally do wish it would go down.

[theangrydwarf1]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »I always thought running a tank of higher octane every now and then would help clean out the engine a bit.I have been told that also. I can't see that it would hurt anything(except for the wallet) to run higher octane gas. I believe it is the equivalent of putting fuel treatment in. From that stand-point I can see it. I'm tempted to buy 5 gal. of 100 octane fuel and see if there is any difference in performance. hmm.....

[TheShadow]

I have a bubby that gets 101 octane by the barrel. I run it often. Especially if I am going ot on a sat to race. I dont know about more hp but I seem to get better response from the engine. My "seatofthepants-o-meter" does read a little more pull with it also.

[millster]

Careful with that 100+ stuff though. Some of it has lead in it and that's rough on the catalytic convertor.

[Mavrik]

with only 90 octane available in alaska... lots of people buy octane boost... then per tank you can dump in a certain measurement to bring it to the desired octane you like.

[TheShadow]

Quote, originally posted by millster »Careful with that 100+ stuff though. Some of it has lead in it and that's rough on the catalytic convertor.It would have been....hehe

[theangrydwarf1]

I notice a little increase with octane booster, but you have to watch what kind you buy. Anything with MMT in it will eat the block, at least that is what the manual states. I may just have to make me a purchase of some high octane fuel.