I've been putting 87 octane (I believe based on the [R+M]/2 method: R = research octane, M = motor octane) into my car (Toyota Corolla).
But I recently re-read the owners manual, where I noticed that it states, "Fuel selection: Use only UNLEADED fuel: Research Octane No. 91 (Octane Rating 87) or higher."
Now, I'm wondering whether I should be putting in 91 octane or 89 octane. Do the words "Octane Rating 87" refer to Motor octane or the octane I get at the pump, which is the average of the two.
Would putting in higher octane now cause problems with the engine? The car has 195K miles on it, and other than a small oil leak, the engine runs fine most of the time. About once every 6 months, I do get a strange starting problem: after driving in hot weather on short trips, if I turn off the engine, the car won't start, and I have to wait about 5-10 minutes before the car starts. I attribute this to letting the engine cool, although the temperature gauge never gets above 45% of max.
2007-08-11
08:10:51
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5 answers
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asked by
RLE
2
in
Maintenance & Repairs