FUEL - Will this put an end to the myth?

[Scooter Dave]

Will this put an end to the myth that using a higher octane fuel in an engine that the manufacturer engineered to run on 87 makes it run better, more power, and/or better mpg? Probably not, but…This is an exchange with Pat Goss the master mechanic from “MotorWeek”.:45:49 ‹ken› If your car has knock sensor is it possible to achieve better gas mileage by running on high octane even though the car wants regular? 08/10/2009 11:46:08 ‹ken› Any downside to this? 08/10/2009 11:49:36 ‹Pat› Ken: No all the knock sensor does is retard ignition timing if the fuel is too low on the octane scale it has no affect on too high octane. One way to do away with a knock sensor is to require the engine to run on premium then it isn't needed. 54 ‹Pat› Ken: You seem to be of the opinion that premium would give better mileage but that isn't true at all. The higher the octane the slower the fuel burns but also the less energy it has. So running premium in a regular fuel engine may decrease mileage and almost guarantees a dirtier engine.ken› True but I have heard of people getting better mileage by doing so, especially if the car recommends 89 octane min.Pat› ken: There are folks that say you can run your car on water too but it ain't gonna happen. There is this little thing called physics that controls everything in the universe. When it comes to gas mileage it's all about inertia, moving resistance and the number of BTU's of energy in each gallon of fuel.‹guest476› Pat, I am on a few auto forums and it is amazing the number of people that think they are doing their "regular gas" car a favor by running high octane fuel.Pat› Dan: That is so true, but it's amazing how many people think premium is better at cleaning or ????

[jake75]

Assuming all of that is true, and I have no doubt that it is, then the advertising you see for Shell V-Power and BP whatever they call their 92 octane fuel, is most certainly a "deceptive or unfair act or practice" that is prohibited by Section 5 of the federal FTC Act and similar laws in virtually all states. So why is the government not cracking down on this? But then you see a lot of ads for enlargement of this or that body part, or for effortless weight loss too.

[star_deceiver]

And here's a few more to drill the point across.... http://www.wanderings.net/note...Moneyh ... ...htmlect ect ect... but some people will never be convinced!

[L5K]

I run premium at 91 octane because that's what the 2ZZ calls for. Any other vehicle I use the ethanol blend at 89.

[Scooter Dave]

Sure, bottom line is, if the manufacturer recommends premium – run premium. If they recommend regular – run regular.

[micbarric]

This is an old article (2002), but there have been some cars that benefitted from premium even though regular was recommended by the manufacturer:http://www.usatoday.com/money/...x.htm"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."

[jake75]

There was a link to "Is cheap gas bad for your car."http://www.wanderings.net/note...urCarWhile the thrust of that was "gas is gas", there is what is known as "top tier" gas that supposedly exceeds EPA minimum requirements for the additives that keep your engine clean. I drank the Kool-Aid and try to use only brands like Shell that are designated as "top tier". The Shell site strongly infers that their higher octane blends have even more of those additives. Perhaps those higher levels are good to reduce existing build ups, but the level in regular 87 is sufficient to prevent such build ups in the first place. Also, while I do not know if there is a difference in ethanol content, the BP pumps say "may contain up to 10% ethanol" whereas there is no such labeling on the Shell pumps.

[Old Tele man]

...like all good myths, it won't be debunked until it's "busted" by the guys (and pregnant gal) on MYTHBUSTERS....my new sticker: "BUSTER for President...like a TIMEX, he can take a licking and keep on ticking!"

[L5K]

Why, oh why, did Kari get pregnant? Now I have to pine for the Progressive Insurance chick...

[Old Tele man]

Q: why'd she get pregnant?A: because she wasn't Kari-ful (bada-boom)...Flo is probably next, with a "Baby On-Board" slogan on her apron!

[L5K]

She better not!