I see a lot of people saying that they think its better to put a higher octane fuel in their car that is meant for low octane. I know that is wrong and see all the anti higher octane people saying that the person is just throwing their money away. What about the effects to the car. Is there any damage to the car by putting in a higher octane than the manual says?
2007-03-26 13:18:43 · 16 answers · asked by Alan M 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most people who promote the use of higher octane fuel generally believe the higher the octane rating, the better/hotter the fuel burns, generating more power and efficiency. This is incorrect, in fact its quite the opposite. The higher the octane rating, the slower the fuel burns and there is less total energy per gallon in higher octane fuels.
The purpose of octane is to resist the spark knock, or instantaneous (and inappropriate) ignition from compression (instead of the spark plug).
Increasing engine compression and ignition timing generally improves overall engine performance, but creates higher cylinder temperatures and pressures and this is where higher octane comes into play. It is a fuel formulated to support the higher performance attributes. If your engine is not designed with these features, it will not benefit from high octane fuel, and in fact will have less power and fuel economy. There is also the potential for carbon buildup and catalytic contamination as the result is an incomplete mixture burn with the slower burning, higher octane fuel.
An interesting side note, octane is a hydrocarbon chain with 8 carbon atoms chained together and resists pre-ignition from compression very well, while heptane (9 atoms) handles compression very poorly.
2007-03-27 03:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by Dallas_Gay 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't do anything. Octane refers to the amount of pressure the fuel can withstand before it explodes. Higher performance cars require a higher octane, because they need a higher pressure in the combustion chamber (this is part of the reason that they have a higher HP). If your car is rated for 87, you can put anything with an octane rating of 87 or higher, without any problems. If you go below the recommended octane (ie 87 in an 89 octane engine), you could damage the engine, because the fuel will be exploded prematurely.
2007-03-26 13:28:34 · answer #2 · answered by Deasel98 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite what all the people say on here about how it wont cause damage, I have seen people claim that higher octane will cause carbon buildup on the pistons and other stuff. I have seen people say that carbon gets so packed on pistons, valves and the intake causing the engine runs rough at times and stalls a lot. I dont know if this is true, but i guess it could very well be. supposedly higher octane fuel burns more rapidly and hotter. higher octane fuel supposedly has more cleaning additives that will clean your fuel system better; so the moral of the story...
who gives a sh!t?
2007-03-26 13:39:40 · answer #3 · answered by x000794293 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know of, 89 Octane has a few more detergents/cleaners in it. However, THE question actually is...what is your engine DESIGNED to run with? I've owned several that state that 87 Octane is what it was designed to run on. The engine's internal parts & computer settings are designed around that particular octane. SO I'd consult your manual to find out what it is your vehicle is supposed to use.
2007-03-26 13:28:00 · answer #4 · answered by macgyverdb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it will make hardly no difference at all, at least not significant enough to notice. All you will be doing is paying more for gas. Unless your car requires a higher octane than 87, you do not need to put anything other than that in there. It will not make a difference. Your car is made to run perfectly on 87 and that's what you should put in it to save some money with the ridiculous gas prices.
2007-03-26 13:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by thomasjohn052000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
notaclue proved that his name is accurate. Unless your engine is tuned or designed to take advantage of the higher octane gas, you are wasting your money. Higher octane gas is designed for vehicles with high compression engines. An engine designed to run on 87 will not run a damned bit better, cleaner, or more efficiently on 89, 92 or anything else.
2007-03-26 14:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by MICHAEL S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Octane Rating does in no way reflect how "clean" or what "temperature" the gas burns. It is it's ignition point. If your car does not require higher octane gasoline, don't give the "man" any extra money. High octane fuel is for high compression engines or turbo/supercharged engines.
2007-03-26 13:27:00 · answer #7 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going from 87 to 89 octane will do nothing at all, 2 points is nothing. Higher octane is frowned upon because it is bad for your catalytic converter.
2007-03-26 13:29:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and it does not do one thing to it,its just a little less octane ,than the owners manual probably says to run in it,most of the gas you buy right now you cant tell the difference in it and the 91 octane,i can use either in my truck,and can not tell i got one more mile from it or any better performance from it,so for the difference in price you can save the extra few cents and use 87 in it,it wont hurt it,i guarantee you this,you might notice saving a few bucks over a long period of time,and that's about it,good luck i hope this helps.
2007-03-26 13:29:15 · answer #9 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a waste of money, and no it will not do any damage to the car. there are no effects from the higher grade gas, the higher grade gas just has a higher octane rating and is made for higher compression engines. Good luck.
2007-03-26 13:25:13 · answer #10 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋