Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: $4.00 a gallon not doin it for ya?
You could put a lower octane fuel in it but I wouldnt recommend it, it also wouldnt surprise me if you started to hear an engine knock, check engine light, drop in fuel econ, when using a lower grade fuel. And i dont think you wanna deal with any of that stuff! You might be able to get away with it every once in a great while to switch to mid grade but dont consider it long term at all.
I've been putting regular in my 04 is300 for over 10k miles and it still runs great.. I notice it's a lil more responsive when I do buck up for premium...but barely....
Most all cars built after 1994 with electronic fuel injection, knock sensors and electronic timing control will automatically adjust timing to compensate for lower (and higher) octane fuels.
If you put low grade in it, the computer will retard the timing, meaning a slight reduction in performance and fuel efficiency. Some brands of gas don't put the same detergents in low-grade, so you may be missing out on some engine cleaning, as well.
If you put high grade in (which is 'safer' in that it reduces the likelihood of detonation) the computer will advance the timing, giving you a slight performance and efficiency improvement.
Big differences, like going from 89 to 94 octane, are usually noticable in how smooth and powerful the engine sounds and runs. But small differences in octane will hardly be noticable from tank to tank.
Bottom line, you won't break anything either way - the car is designed to adjust. But if you spend the extra on premium, it'll probably be more fun to drive.
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