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What octane do you put in your 8?

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Old 09-13-2007, 06:55 PM
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What octane do you put in your 8?

So ive been hearing alot of things regarding fuel octane and mileage. What does everyone fill their 8 with on a regular basis?

Does it matter if im doing all highway driving on a low octane fuel?

Trying to get some ideas on whats good and whats bad for my car.

When I lived in MN we had a few stations that had 93 octane and call me crazy but i noticed i had alot more power on 93 and 92 than i do down here in cali with 91.

Whats everyones opinions
Old 09-13-2007, 07:32 PM
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yes you get more power with the higher octane.
now on the other hand my car gets a steady diet of
the cheap stuff. call me cheap, but i only use the good stuff
when i feel like she needs to be cleaned out so to speak.
there are others that only use the factory recommened
93 octane. and they'll also say i'm killing my car by using
the cheap stuff. but i'm in over three years with this car
and no problems...
Old 09-13-2007, 07:33 PM
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Nuttin but 93 in mine..........ever!
Old 09-13-2007, 07:34 PM
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How bout mileage per tank for everyone? I run 89 here and there and seem to get better gas mileage on it. Mostly highway driving im getting about 240 to a tank
Old 09-13-2007, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Spinbreakz
How bout mileage per tank for everyone? I run 89 here and there and seem to get better gas mileage on it. Mostly highway driving im getting about 240 to a tank
That's pretty good, but I will come close to that with 93. I probably average right around 230, but I never let it get very much beyond the light coming on(if that) and then fill it. Also, if your on the highway more, you'll probably get better....around town less. Just as you'd expect.
Old 09-13-2007, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by scremn8
yes you get more power with the higher octane.
No, no, you don't.

I usually just put in 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, unless I am feeling randy. Then I go for the 2-methyl-2-butene.
Old 09-13-2007, 08:07 PM
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For our cars, more power lower octane, better gas millage higher octane. The higher the octane the slower the gas burns, and like I said in the other thread, if our cars aren't' tuned for anything higher 93, it won't do anything but put a hole in your wallet.

I think there is a thread in the rx8 discussion about octane. Careful the thread police might get you for creating a new thread about this.
Old 09-14-2007, 12:40 AM
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I do about 275hwy per tank with Mobil 1 91 octane
I think if you use lower octane it will give you something similar as if you were to use 91 from Arco (240hwy)

Say NO to cheap fuel
Old 09-14-2007, 12:58 AM
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87 arco for the last 44k miles..... not a problem yet.

The oil is pretty clean when it's changed every 3k miles.
Old 09-14-2007, 01:07 AM
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91 FTW. No ping.
Old 09-14-2007, 02:26 AM
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octane doesn't have anything to do with "power" it's just the volatiliy rating of the gasoline. the higher the number, the higher temp it requires to burn, preventing detonation. that is the reason why honda motors would experience lower performance on lower octane rating, maybe even pinging/knocking.

for the rx8, there is basically no effect on the performace or gas mileage with what octane rating we use, as previously discussed on dozens of threads. there are rx8 owners that have been using 87 since they bought the car and have encountered no performance problems.

but, the manual says to use 91 or higher so that's what i use. i've put 87 and 89 a couple of times "just to see" what the difference is and it was pretty much the same.
Old 09-14-2007, 02:49 AM
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^^ Uh Yea sure
Old 09-14-2007, 02:50 AM
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91.
Old 09-14-2007, 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Galen Darkmoon
^^ Uh Yea sure
Yep. He is correct.
Old 09-14-2007, 04:33 AM
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Partially, but bold statements only covering one aspect of many is only clouding the issue and confuses other people when octane is but a small part of the story. But I'm not going into whats been covered in many threads.
Old 09-14-2007, 05:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Galen Darkmoon
Partially, but bold statements only covering one aspect of many is only clouding the issue and confuses other people when octane is but a small part of the story. But I'm not going into whats been covered in many threads.
no he is correct..

beers
Old 09-14-2007, 05:43 AM
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LOL Comedy Central at its best
Old 09-14-2007, 06:47 AM
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What I'm trying to get across is confusing higher octane against the ability of the fuel to burn. Premium grades of fuel often contain more energy due to it's makeup. Our wonderful ethanol blends tend to ruin this by giving higher octane ratings with a lower energy content. Also, not all fuels are created equal, just look at how many people on this forum alone swear by Shell fuel. The wife and I have both taken the 8 to Texas and after filling up with Shell 93 our highway mpg has gone from 23 mpg to 25 mpg going home "we only have 91 octane fuel here" Go Figure
Old 09-14-2007, 09:17 AM
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As the manual states 91.

Not to go off topic, but if the octane does not affect power, why do people at the track always put in 100 octane?
Old 09-14-2007, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Galen Darkmoon
What I'm trying to get across is confusing higher octane against the ability of the fuel to burn.
It has nothing to do with the ability of the fuel to burn. Octane is a rating that describes it's ability to not ignite under pressure.



You should get better fuel economy with the lower octane fuel. You *MIGHT* have some reduced power, if your car detects knock and pulls timing. Most of us will have no issues with 87.

Last edited by mysql101; 09-14-2007 at 09:47 AM.
Old 09-14-2007, 09:54 AM
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87. Shell, speedway, BP, mobil.

275miles/14gallons (mixed driving + heavy foot) almost every time.
Old 09-14-2007, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by mikeferz42
octane doesn't have anything to do with "power" it's just the volatiliy rating of the gasoline. the higher the number, the higher temp it requires to burn, preventing detonation. that is the reason why honda motors would experience lower performance on lower octane rating, maybe even pinging/knocking.

for the rx8, there is basically no effect on the performace or gas mileage with what octane rating we use, as previously discussed on dozens of threads. there are rx8 owners that have been using 87 since they bought the car and have encountered no performance problems.

but, the manual says to use 91 or higher so that's what i use. i've put 87 and 89 a couple of times "just to see" what the difference is and it was pretty much the same.
i agree, but even at that all i use is 91 dont know why?i just do i guess its peace of mind, i guess ill try 89 today and ill post what i feel about it in a couple of days
Old 09-14-2007, 10:09 AM
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91 shell
Old 09-14-2007, 10:24 AM
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chevron with techron 91...
Old 09-14-2007, 10:53 AM
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the reason they do this is cause the motor takes more detonation, as they call it. using different octanes really doesent matter to me, the higher octane burns cleaner as the lower does not..have you ever seen your plugs after 3000mi. using 87? i've seen some f'ed up ones..that really blow my mind..as oposed to the 93rx7 where they only use 91 there spark plugs are alot better..i've done a few 8's and they seem to be the same as the 93's but i havent seen anything hardcore.

:AA:

Originally Posted by MazdaJeff
As the manual states 91.

Not to go off topic, but if the octane does not affect power, why do people at the track always put in 100 octane?


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