if your car takes premium gas what happens if you only use 87?

Question

been putting only 87 every time can't afford premium what type of damage or is it okay just less performance

Answer 1

Not many cars need Premium fuel. Higher octane fuels are used mostly by modified or high performance vehicles. If you are using 87 octane & you don't hear a rattling noise from the engine & you have no warning lights flashing, you should be just fine. The rattling noise comes from pre-ignition, sometimes caused by inferior or low octane fuels. In other words, the fuel is causing a small premature explosion in the piston chamber. This could result in burnt valves, fowled spark plugs among other things. But again, if your vehicle runs fine without the higher octane, all is o.k..

Answer 2

If your car is not 'knocking', then it should be okay. All an octane rating is doing is notifying you that of how much of this type of gas can be compressed before it self ignites. Self ignition is what makes the knocking sound. In hi compression muscle cars, race cars and the like, they all need a higher octane rated fuel to prevent knocking. Some might even use racing fuels. Compression ratios that are 9.5 and lower should not need the higher octane fuels. 87 should work easily on most newer vehicles. As long as your car does no knock, paying extra for higher octane is a waste. That's really all that number 87 is, as well as 93, and so on. One more thing, octane ratings do not follow 0-100 scale, as they are not a percentage. Racing fuels are well over 100, they need to be with the high compressions used. So 103-114 octane, not unheard of.

Answer 3

You're eventually going to have problems with your valves. Lower octane gas in a high-compression engine will cause "knocking". Running regular in a motor designed for higher octane can be disastrous. At higher temps and compression ratios the regular will ignite too soon and can cause loss of power, exess heat and even engine damage. At high rpms the fuel actually ignites while the crank and rod are still on the uphill side of the rotation. This causes knocking and really pounds the rod bearings.

Answer 4

Read your owner's manual, first and foremost, for information specific to your car. However, late-model vehicles in general are designed such that the engine can adapt to lower octane gas. You might notice a decrease in performance, especially during fast accelerating that can be necessary for merging, passing and changing lanes. If you notice this difference, you may find yourself wanting to stick to premium as a matter of preference. Otherwise, only use premium if your owner's manual absolutely requires it (not just recommends). You'll save 20 cents a gallon on gas on average, and your car won't be any worse the wear.

Answer 5

Nothing really it's ok to put 87 in your car but keep in mind that Premium gas is a more refined gas that helps keep you fuel system clean and you also get better milage on it. Imagine you drinking a $3 wine compared to a $15, you are going to get just as drunk but it won't be as good and you won't enjoy as much...

Answer 6

It will probably knock a bit on acceleration. It won't hurt it, but you will get less gas mileage also. The mid-grade is better for the difference in price and improved mileage and performance.

Answer 7

Bottom Line: It will knock and your car will lose performance. It might also make your burn more fuel. If you have to get lower octane, try to add some octane booster.

Answer 8

if you hear knocking you will damage you engine.

not worth it in the long run

Answer 9

there will be less performance but you could also damage your engine....SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY......you wil thank me later

Answer 10

possibly slower response and sluggish performance and 'knocking'