If so, why, and how often should you do this?
2007-01-23 08:07:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
NOPE it's just a waste of money!
2007-01-23 08:10:12 · answer #1 · answered by wish I were 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your car is a US-spec'ed car, you can use the lowest grade gas, regardless of what the manufacturer claims or writes in their books. (Higher grade gas can give your car slightly higher performance if it is a high performance/compression engine. )
The US auto regulations allow all cars to be able to run on regular unleaded gasoline. The engine computers adjust the ignition timing if there is any indication of pre-ignition or 'knocking' during operation. Note that if you buy gas in the Rocky Mountain state (Utah, Colorado, etc.) they do not sell gas with 90+ octane ratings - the air is less dense, so the high octane gas is a total waste of money.
Many high-grade gasolines incorporate a higher amount of fuel detergents and injector cleaning solvents, so it can be a good idea to occasionally fill your tank with 93 or 95 octane gasoline. Or you can buy a bottle of good fuel injector cleaner at an auto parts store and pour it into your tank. Chevron's Techron is supposedly one of the better fuel injector cleaners/additives.
Once every 5 or 10 tankfuls would be fine.
2007-01-23 17:26:52 · answer #2 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your car makes a pinging noise when accelerating, try a higher grade gas. It is the only time I would recommend it. If it is a sports car with a high performance engine, it may be necessary to put 93 Octaine on it. Check the book.
2007-01-23 16:10:51 · answer #3 · answered by rob1963man 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife has a now-retired uncle who was a chemist with Shell in Ontario - specializing gasoline formulas. He told me it was wise once in a while to add a bit of a higher grade gas as there are additives which can help your engine. He said maybe every tenth fill up to add some high grade.
2007-01-23 16:13:43 · answer #4 · answered by waynebudd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. The compression ratio of you engine determines the grade of gas you should buy your car is designed to compust that octane rate optimally. If you put in a higher octane rating you are just adding unburned fuel to your exhaust and more pollution.
2007-01-23 16:13:56 · answer #5 · answered by cadillacrazy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No use the lowest grade that does not make the engine knock. Anything higher just goes out the tailpipe.
2007-01-27 12:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by big1sc0tt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, using a higher grade say once every 1000 miles is good for your engine and it only costs a couple bucks more.
2007-01-23 16:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by luv78779 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, unless you have a high performance vehicle, there's nothing wrong with the lowest grade. Buying others is just a waste of money.
2007-01-23 16:16:56 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. you should only use the grade your car model suggests. every once in awhile you can put in an additive. you don't have to do that very often.
2007-01-23 16:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by catwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO..stick to the manufacturers reccomendation...
2007-01-23 16:11:11 · answer #10 · answered by The Emperor of Ecstasy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋