octane question

[buck513]

My owner's manual say octane number 86 or higher. so that being said should i put the highest octane in or just 86? So is higher better or not?

Thanks
Ed

[TxShadow49]

Originally Posted by buck513

My owner's manual say octane number 86 or higher. so that being said should i put the highest octane in or just 86? So is higher better or not?

Thanks
Ed

87 is fine.

[dernp]

Fuelology

The above sticky should answer all of your questions.

Good luck.

[MikeAstringer]

Ed, I learned a good lesson from the folks on this forum. I use the highest octane fuel in all of my vehicles. We have a Jaguar, an Audi and until recently a BMW in our stable of vehicles and all three required higher octane fuel. I just got used to doing so and when I bought my VLX I always went with the highest octane the station offered.

I was getting horrible MPG and complained about it here. Members here suggested I try a lower octane fuel since the higher octane fuels have higher ethanol. It worked.

[buck513]

So what i gather here. would be best to use say 87 octane.

Mike they told my sister years back with her saturn not to use the high octane because it would burn her valves .

thanks
Ed

[MikeAstringer]

Originally Posted by buck513

So what i gather here. would be best to use say 87 octane.

Mike they told my sister years back with her saturn not to use the high octane because it would burn her valves .

thanks
Ed

I don't know. I'm not mechanical at all. In fact a few weeks ago someone asked me for a jump. I've had my Jaguar a few years and didn't even know where the battery is (I since made it a point to find out!!). All of the high end cars I've owned - Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW and Audi - have all indicated in the owners manual to use premium fuel only.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by buck513

My owner's manual say octane number 86 or higher. so that being said should i put the highest octane in or just 86? So is higher better or not?

No. Not.

If the fuelogy sticky doesn't answer your question (and it won't if you don't read it) then here's as simple as it gets: Your engine doesn't require any more than 86 octane so buying anything higher than regular (87 octane around here) is wasting your money.

[buck513]

Ok i got it now. 86 is all she needs. and all i need to spend.

Ed

[robpedersen]

I run 91, not sure why I do it, the cost difference is minimal, so I don't mind doing it.

[TxShadow49]

Originally Posted by robpedersen

I run 91, not sure why I do it, the cost difference is minimal, so I don't mind doing it.

I'm not sure why you're doing it either. You should mind doing it. Best case scenario, you waste money. Worst case scenario-you get poorer mileage and actually do long-term harm to your engine.