Does my car really need octane 93 gas?

[SLCentral]

My dad's got a BMW 545i (V8), and we're wondering whether or not we really need to use Octane 93 gas, like the dealership told us. Could someone give me some insight? Thanks!

 

[Taggart]

what does the owners manual say?

 

[Stunt]

You will likely get less performance and if you have enough money to buy that kind of car you can afford the minimal cost difference. I mean the dealer told you what to do...

 

[torpid]

My car only requires 91 octane. But no one sells it.

It will reduce performance if you put lower grade in. In the winter, however, sometimes it helps due to additives they put in the fuel in winter (in some areas).

 

[fallensight]

Read the manual, if it says min91 octane, use a min91 octane. Some engines(though very few) can actually sustain damage with an incorect grade of gas

 

[Shawn]

DON'T USE ANYTHING LESS THAN THE MANUAL SAYS!

 

[Syringer]

Try a lower grade, if you don't hear knocking or pinging you're fine.

 

[Stunt]

Use diesel...it's even cheaper!

 

[mb]

If he spent that much money on the car, don't cheap out on the gas. Use what the manual says, nothing less.

 

[imported_goku]

There is no point in using less than Octane 93 for cars these days since the premium is so small compared to what it used to be.

 

[garkon]

Use what the manual says to use, they wouldnt tell you to use higher grade for their health. I wouldnt even consider putting cheap gas in my BMW, why spend so much money on a car and ruin it.

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: goku
There is no point in using less than Octane 93 for cars these days since the premium is so small compared to what it used to be.

Um, unless your owners manual says to use somethign lower? If I use anything more than 87 it is worse for my car.

 

[middlehead]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Use diesel...it's even cheaper!

:thumbsup:

 

[Eeezee]

Use vegetable oil.... it's even cheaper!

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: goku
There is no point in using less than Octane 93 for cars these days since the premium is so small compared to what it used to be.

WRONG! There is NO reason to use premium if your car only needs regular. In fact, it is actually harmful.

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you use lower octane you may start experiencing knocking/pinging... if the engine is supposed to use 93, USE 93

 

[Wag]

Yes, yes, yes. Follow the manual. Use what it says. It wouldn't hurt if a few times you used lower octane if you couldn't find it, but not longterm.

BTW- What gas station chain do you use that doesn't carry super and premium? I've never seen one that didn't, not even the no-name ones. They all buy their gas from the same distributors anyways.

 

[squirrel dog]

That car has an aluminum motor(block/heads) I would follow the owners manual . You can run reg thru it to see,just monitor that carefully . Big thing to watch is temp . alum motors will warp the heads very quickly . So keep a keen eye on temp .

 

[amol]

RTFM!

 

[Nebor]

It needs premium. It's a high performance aluminum block v8. If you use anything else, the car will have to retard timing to compensate and you'll net worse performance and worse gas mileage.

 

[biggestmuff]

For future reference, ensure you've thought of all costs involved before purchasing a vehicle.

 

[ballmode]

yes

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: Amol
RTFM!

QFT

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Try a lower grade, if you don't hear knocking or pinging you're fine.

This advice was applicable in 1970. Use the octane that the rock salt tells you to.

Btw, for a lot of cars, 87 is what the manual says, but they actually perform better with higher octane.

 

[habib89]

definately use what the manual says..