PRP: Higher octane gas is not better gas!! PANDAMOOO's RESEARCH PROJECT #1!

[some2]

Originally Posted by zoedragon

Hmm, fuel injector cleaner... thanks for the tip! Will it say that on the bottle? I know nothing about engines. I'll definitely give that a try.

I'd recommend asking the person at the counter. I was directed to "lucas oil"'s fuel injector cleaner (about $3/bottle), but I have not had a chance to check too many others out. Below is a list of cleaners offered at Kragen. In this case, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

Fuel Injector Cleaner from Kragen

[ak]

Don't buy STP fuel injector cleaners. They are not that efficient.

I prefer Lucas, Redline, or Valvoline.

[Admin]

I've watched a Valvoline commercial few months ago where Valvoline technicians highly recommend adding one of their Valvoline injector cleaners at 75,000 miles.
Is it really necessary though? I like the assurance that the product will help remove chemical buildup and what not but is it true? Why doesn't our car manual say anything about injector cleaners in the maintenance section?

Doesn't the engineers from the automaker know best of what is good for our engines?

[some2]

I'd say 50k-75k miles to start, then every 25k or so after would be more than sufficient. I mistakenly said "every couple tanks". Also, some gasolines have fuel system cleaner built in to them, such as chevron's "techron".

[david90]

Just follow what your manufacturer recommends.

using octane higher than what your manufactuer recommends won't harm your engine but less will. If ur superchargeed or turboed u probably need 91 octane

[PandaMoOo]

Originally Posted by david90

Just follow what your manufacturer recommends.

using octane higher than what your manufactuer recommends won't harm your engine but less will. If ur superchargeed or turboed u probably need 91 octane

HIGHER octane can potentially damage your engine by putting extra carbon "gunk" into it, because unburned gasoline will remain in the engine causing more friction, heat, and wear and tear. Less octane can harm your engine much more, but too high will harm your engine too.

[Aristo]

I agree with following the manufacturers reccomendation. My car requires 91 and I will only put that in it. However I have been contemplating putting a higher octane but it as this study shows, it won't make a difference.

[david90]

Originally Posted by PandaMoOo

HIGHER octane can potentially damage your engine by putting extra carbon "gunk" into it, because unburned gasoline will remain in the engine causing more friction, heat, and wear and tear. Less octane can harm your engine much more, but too high will harm your engine too.

yeah TOO high octane rating can harm your engine. For those who uses 91 on an engine designed for 87, don't worry you're fine. 91 is not high enough to do anything but put a dent in your wallet.

Kinda off topic but are there any automotive type groups or events at or near cal poly pomona (besides clubs)?

[david90]

Originally Posted by Aristo

I agree with following the manufacturers reccomendation. My car requires 91 and I will only put that in it. However I have been contemplating putting a higher octane but it as this study shows, it won't make a difference.

What kind of car do u have? U can get extra HPs by retarding your timing and using high oct gas.

[zoedragon]

I didn't know putting octane too low for your car could damage it. How does it do that? I know higher octanes can leave gunk in an engine that doesn't need it, but what does lower octane do to an engine that needs it to be higher? Doesn't it just burn the fuel less efficiently? I'd like to understand.

[david90]

Originally Posted by zoedragon

I didn't know putting octane too low for your car could damage it. How does it do that? I know higher octanes can leave gunk in an engine that doesn't need it, but what does lower octane do to an engine that needs it to be higher? Doesn't it just burn the fuel less efficiently? I'd like to understand.

The lower the octane #, the easier it is for the fuel to ignite. When fuel in an engine ignite when it is not suppose to, it causes different forces to be in conflict with each other.

imagine a piston going up on a compression stroke and the gas ignite before the stroke can be completed. The force of the premature gas ignition force the piston to go back down when it is not suppose to. This put alot of stress on your rods.

[RFIbanez]

My mini requires 91 octane, I accidently put 87 and it started to knock really bad. I only use 91 octane now. I put in some 92 octane in Vegas and I didn't notice any difference.

[david90]

Originally Posted by RFIbanez

My mini requires 91 octane, I accidently put 87 and it started to knock really bad. I only use 91 octane now. I put in some 92 octane in Vegas and I didn't notice any difference.

r u supercharged or turboed? Most non turbo street cars use 87.