89 Octane question?
#1
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Hi all, first off my first post is going to be pretttty embarrassing. So my first car is a 04 350z. I've been ****ing putting 89 in it this whole time (10 months). I only put 1 tank of 93 in it. I see the other threads about this but I don't see anyone answer the question that I'm thinking. People are saying that there will be a loss in performance, they are saying that because I'm just running it on 89 right? Or do they mean running 89 causes the engine to just not as perform good forever? Also, once I start running 93 I should reset my ECU? Yes? Anyway thanks.... oh yeah, my car runs fine, no spark knocks or anything.
#2
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No permanent damage, or anything of that sort.
Modern engines will retard timing to keep from knocking on lower octane fuel. You can run down to 87 safely but it is definitely not recommended. If you get bad, low octane, 87 maybe 85 or so it could cause damage. By retarding timing it will reduce power so running 89 might have reduced performance in the short term.
You only need 91 for optimal performance, and a ecu reset is up to you.
Welcome, sounds like to have a lot to learn about cars. Read through the sticky threads if you are interested. Also next time try and search the forum for answers this question has been answered before. I think there is a whole thread on running 87 in the Z.
Modern engines will retard timing to keep from knocking on lower octane fuel. You can run down to 87 safely but it is definitely not recommended. If you get bad, low octane, 87 maybe 85 or so it could cause damage. By retarding timing it will reduce power so running 89 might have reduced performance in the short term.
You only need 91 for optimal performance, and a ecu reset is up to you.
Welcome, sounds like to have a lot to learn about cars. Read through the sticky threads if you are interested. Also next time try and search the forum for answers this question has been answered before. I think there is a whole thread on running 87 in the Z.
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Sokmarg (06-05-2016)
#4
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No permanent damage, or anything of that sort.
Modern engines will retard timing to keep from knocking on lower octane fuel. You can run down to 87 safely but it is definitely not recommended. If you get bad, low octane, 87 maybe 85 or so it could cause damage. By retarding timing it will reduce power so running 89 might have reduced performance in the short term.
You only need 91 for optimal performance, and a ecu reset is up to you.
Welcome, sounds like to have a lot to learn about cars. Read through the sticky threads if you are interested. Also next time try and search the forum for answers this question has been answered before. I think there is a whole thread on running 87 in the Z.
Modern engines will retard timing to keep from knocking on lower octane fuel. You can run down to 87 safely but it is definitely not recommended. If you get bad, low octane, 87 maybe 85 or so it could cause damage. By retarding timing it will reduce power so running 89 might have reduced performance in the short term.
You only need 91 for optimal performance, and a ecu reset is up to you.
Welcome, sounds like to have a lot to learn about cars. Read through the sticky threads if you are interested. Also next time try and search the forum for answers this question has been answered before. I think there is a whole thread on running 87 in the Z.
Last edited by Sokmarg; 06-05-2016 at 09:38 PM.
#5
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This; The ECU will relearn the base maps on its own but resetting it should speed up the process.
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#8
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Around me, premium is 91.
#11
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ah okay right on. So what your saying is once I put 93 in it I will see the full potential of the car performance wise? Or do I have to reset the ECU to THEN get the full 93 octane performance. Also would resetting the ECU make the timing and everything run right for 93? Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
The knock-sensor listens for ping and tells the ECU what's going on inside; then the ECU adjusts timing accordingly to run at the highest efficiency the engine can go without suffering.
Long n' short... Degraded gas, degraded performance. Best gas, best performance.... To a point. (Does not mean that running 101 av gas is going to help performance that much more.... too many other factors chime in at that point.)
#12
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Pengu
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
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04-03-2016 04:36 PM