Vibe GT and octane

[Kurt V]

The owner's manual says to only use 91 octane fuel. But what if I can't find 91 octane on a trip? Can I go with a lesser octane without damaging the engine. Does the GT have a knock sensor to compensate for lower octane fuel?Kurt V

[NovaResource]

Yes, you can run lower octane without damaging the engine. The computer will compensate but you will lose some power. Just don't "hop on it". And get some 91 octane (or higher) in it as soon as you can.

[NovaResource]

That's correct, you aren't getting optimal performance. It seems strange to me to pay extra for the GT model but then not pay a little more for premium fuel to get the extra performance out of the GT engine. If fuel cost is a concern why not save a few more bucks and purchase a base Vibe?

[DABEAR95]

Your right Nova. I based my decision on the fact that the initial purchase price was within my limits, and around here it works out to an extra 2.50 per tank for an extra 40+ HP.Jason

[Herb]

I've seen some octane boost bottles that you can buy at automotive stores. Just dump in a bottle before filling up with regular unleaded.

[DABEAR95]

The octane boost that says it boost 4 points is a bit misleading. If the octane it 87, it will bosst it 4 points to 87.4.Jason

[NovaResource]

DABEAR95 is correct. The "points" octane boost claims are the "tenths" on the right side of the decimal point.quote:If I fill up with premium next time I have an empty tank will I notice a difference when I drive?You might but it depends on how you drive now. If you drive it easy you probably won't but it you like to rev it to the redline, you probably will feel a difference.

[NovaResource]

Only to the 5000's?! Why did you buy a GT then? A base Vibe would have cost you less. The GT redlines at 8200 the base at 6400. Wind that puppy up! Wait 'till you feel the acceleration above 6000 rpm.Don't worry, hitting the fuel cutoff won't feel like hitting a wall. It's just stops acceleration but it doesn't really slow.

[DABEAR95]

Yeah, it’s not too bad hitting the rev limiter. Yesterday I decided to get on it for the first time all the way(break-in) and what do ya know, I screwed the shift and bounced of the limiter. No biggie, that’s what it is there for. The factory provides this so you do not damage the engine. Although if your doing 80 and shove it in 1st, the rev limiter won't help you. It only prevents it from revving higher as you accelerate in a gear.

[Lorin]

My turbo Eclipse required premium too. I ran some comparison tests, and the loss in fuel economy with 87 Octane erased any savings from buying cheaper fuel. No cost savings and loss of performance meant a bad deal all the way around.

[DABEAR95]

I also had an Eclipse turbo. 99 GS-T Spyder. I filled at the same station every time I got gas. One time I had to get gas somewhere else and the premium nozzle was on the other end of the pump. I ended up filling with regular on accident. The difference in that car was dramatic. At that time I only had a CAI and couldn’t believe what the regular fuel did to the performance.

[TRICKEDVIBEGT]

just stick with premium cause regular slows the acceleration. i know i have tried both.

[millster]

AtWork,Best place to shift the GT is at the redline. Run it to 8200 and shift. Don't be afraid of it, it's a little dramatic at high RPM, but it's rev-limited so you can't go too far. Just wait, when that thing hits 6000, it's pretty cool. You'll be hooked!

[Cubanpete]

Everytime I drive mine in the city.....even on the Highway and my distances are short...I can feel the GT engine waiting to get redlined.....it has good pep........ I love it, I can't wait when the ice-snow is gone, and I put the 17" tires back on!

[DABEAR95]

Same here, my black wheels and snow tires along with the 20 degree weather aren't cuttin it!Jason

[jackospades]

When I drive here in Detroit Metro Area I try to punch it as much as possible. Especially merging on the hi-ways around here. But I have found out the GT loves high Octane gas. I feed her it all the time with the way I drive.

[Keely]

AtWork, I assume you have the base 16" wheels? I have the GT with the 17" Dunlops and haven't had any problems whatsoever on dry or wet roads - just in the snow.

[Keely]

AtWork, keep in mind that it seems like the tire size is a delicate balance. There's been a lot of discussion in the Tires forum about snow tires - good reading for newbies like you and I - and the crucial difference that the width of the tires makes for snow driving. I SHOULD have a set of snow tires on because the high-performance 17" Dunlops are too wide to grip in the snow well (you just slide over the top, as best as I can explain it). Our winter's been one where a big dump of snow will melt within a day or two on the roads anyway, and I've been loathe to give up the better handling I get with the 17"ers on the wet (not snowy) and dry pavement. (We don't do salt in Calgary, just a lot of gravel.)Like you, I'm new to driving a manual transmission and I'm having way too much fun.