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Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth

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Old May 25, 2004 | 07:49 PM
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Default Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth

i know ppl have talked about this before, but i was just wondering whether ppl here in socal are like me ... adhering to chevron supreme ....91 ...

Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
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Old May 25, 2004 | 08:09 PM
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Chevron with Techron. That's the only gas I get.
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Old May 25, 2004 | 08:53 PM
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Default Re: Think cars run better on premium gas? It’s a myth

Originally posted by desiZ
i know ppl have talked about this before, but i was just wondering whether ppl here in socal are like me ... adhering to chevron supreme ....91 ...

Higher octane fuel doesn't make that much of a difference?
That article says... "switch to a lower grade unless it is specifically stated in your owners manual"... which ours does... so... i don't know why you wouln't use 91 octane...
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Old May 25, 2004 | 08:59 PM
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chevron supreme for me too....
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Old May 25, 2004 | 09:03 PM
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It's really simple. Cars that require premium-grade fuel run best with it (i.e., the Z) those that require 87 octane get no benefit from premium-grade fuel.

You'll generally find higher-compression engines require premium-grade fuel. That's evident in many high-compression, higher-horsepower engines that squeeze a lot of power out of a 4 or 6 cylinder engine like the VQ as well as Honda's 3.2 - to name a couple 6's.
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Old May 25, 2004 | 09:27 PM
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Union 76 for me...
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Old May 25, 2004 | 09:48 PM
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Smile Roger That - Chevron with Techron

Originally posted by SHO-TIME
Chevron with Techron. That's the only gas I get.
15,555 miles - just Chevron..

As I was still sleepy, and needed fuel.. I pulled into an Arco..
( Must have thought I was driving the Max ) and asked the Arco guy where was the nearest Chevron Station. Ha!

Cheers Amy -
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Old May 25, 2004 | 11:18 PM
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yeah it does run better... that's my Statistic Text Book says!
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Old May 26, 2004 | 07:31 AM
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I will only run 91 octane in my Z

I don't care what brand it is... whatever is cheapest.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:19 AM
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Originally posted by BJF2K
yeah it does run better... that's my Statistic Text Book says!
There are lies, damn lies, and...well...your statistics book
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:21 AM
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Comming from Delaware I had never seen 91 octane before. Back east, premium is 93 or 94 octane.

For now I am using Union 76 premium...
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:26 AM
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Preminum whatever. I don't have any brand loyalty with gas, epscially since they all mix and max where they get it from based on supply (so it varies anyway)
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Old May 26, 2004 | 11:10 AM
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3 Z'z, and they ALL get 91 oct. Usually Chevron or Shell.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 11:21 AM
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I think that most would agree:

Cars that don't have the compression necessary for premium gas, don't run better on premium.

Cars that do have high compression, like our Z, will knock if one uses less than premium gas. A family member drove my car (I won't say that it was my wife) and put regular gas in....definitely heard knocking when I accelerated.

California gas is 91 octane...rest of the country is 92-94.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 12:06 PM
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just out of curiosity...does anyone know what would happen if you use racing fuel?

also i've heard that porsche recommends chevron with techron.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 12:24 PM
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Our cars must run on 91 octane. Actually the car is designed for 92 but oh well, it won't knock...

Octane measures combustability under pressure. So with a low-compression engine, a lower octane is fine because it will not combust under pressure. Meanwhile on a high compression engine, such as the VQ, a 91 octane is a must in order to maintain compression and allow the spark to fire on time.

I double dog dare desiZ to run 87octane for a month.

Porsche recommends Chevron w/ Techron for one reason - because Chevron got in to bed with Porsche.

And code350z, our engine actually loves racing fuel. When Sport Compact car got their first 350z they tested it with California 91 and got about 230-240 at the wheels. Then they tested it with high octane racing fuel and got like an extra 15-20 hp (for $5/gallon).

Actually if you have your own garage you can store a barrel of racing fuel. Then everytime you fill up add 1 gal on racing fuel and effectively improve your octane rating to 92. If I had my own garage I'd do this in a heartbeat.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 12:55 PM
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I try to stick with Unocal gas (91 octane) when I can, but if not, then Chevron. Unocal has no MTBE in their gas and mixes ethanol in it, which supposedly means less knock. I noticed my car runs stronger than with Chevron, and I get better gas mileage. But this is in my Z32TT (8.5:1 compression) and it does require 91. For some strange reason, ARCO also gave me better mileage in my Pathfinder.

I read about a study that some 1G DSM guys did before comparing 91 octane ethanol vs. MTBE gas in Socal. They datalogged knock count and found gas with ethanol to be consistently lower. I'll be sticking with Unocal. I know comparing turbos and NA's is like apples and oranges, but I believe this could be good info for everyone.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:39 PM
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Default 101 octane for me

Alliance Gas at Woodley Ave. and Sherman Way in Van Nuys sells 101 octane race gas for $3.99 per gallon.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:10 PM
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At the rate fuel prices are increasing, we will soon be paying $3.99/gal for 91 octane!
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:11 PM
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remember if you run race gas,, be ready to replace spark plugs...
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