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Running less than 93 octane?

9

98TredSVT

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
540
Location
Plainfield, IL
Has anybody tried running 87 or 89 octane gas in there svt contours? I just wanna save some money but if it will damage the engine then I wouldn't try it. The reason I ask is my step dad owned a g35 which was recommended 93 octane but not required, and it ran perfect, and my friend just picked up a 97 m3 which I would guess requires premium gasoline but he runs 87(cause the previous owner did) and has no problems. I drive my car hard and its hot here now so let me know what you think.
 
first search the general forum as this has been covered many times ...

second are you really going to save that much money? I mean it isn't that much more for my to fill my contour with 93 then my mystique with 87 ...


a few have but if you have high miles I wouldn't make a change ... also if buying premium is hurting you that bad maybe you should get a vehicle that doesn't require premium ...
 
It hurt my MPG - so put the 93 in, and be happy knowing your running the proper fuel that is important enough to be printer on your gauge cluster...
 
Happy medium: try to find a station that serves up 91 (anything 91 and up is premium). You'll save a few cents there. I take the purist line on this -- Ford calls for it, I roll with it.
 
I usually just fill up with whatever is cheapest. The last couple months its been "deisel" whatever the hell that is, I'm guessing its some kind of german off brand gas. I will admit my svt has been acting kind of funny now though. Is this going to have any effects on my motor?
 
^ har har... when i dyno'd my car using 87 just to see the difference it made, the car starting pinging and pulled timing. just spend the extra money, your car runs crappier with 87 and you get worse milage, and more carbon build up. the extra $.20 wont hurt you that bad. What is it an extra $1 ? not worth running 87 IMO
 
yea, if you think about it.. going from station to station, if on place is 3.43 (93 oct) and the other place is like 3.39 (93oct) im gonna get the better gas for 3.43 from shell.. because i'd would only be saving around 36 cents!

as far as putting the cheaper octane in, just go into your change jar, pull out some extra change, and put in 91 or 93.
 
I only know of one schell station and it is completly the wrong direction for work :cry: Living in the country has its downfalls.
 
I know it's not much of a difference in cost, but saving some money is better than none of there were no downsides, thats all i was askin. I've also tried diesel before but mine ran ok.
 
98TredSVT said:
I know it's not much of a difference in cost, but saving some money is better than none of there were no downsides, thats all i was askin. I've also tried diesel before but mine ran ok.
Click to expand...

HEEERRRRROOOH!?
team_america-tlr_m480.jpg


you are kidding, Right ? :nonono:
 
I use "less than 93" all the time because here in California, 91 is as high as it goes - at least in my area. But yes, this subject has been covered many times, like just a few weeks ago!!!!
Karl
 
98TredSVT said:
Has anybody tried running 87 or 89 octane gas in there svt contours? I just wanna save some money but if it will damage the engine then I wouldn't try it. The reason I ask is my step dad owned a g35 which was recommended 93 octane but not required, and it ran perfect, and my friend just picked up a 97 m3 which I would guess requires premium gasoline but he runs 87(cause the previous owner did) and has no problems. I drive my car hard and its hot here now so let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

SVTC = 91 octane.

Save gas, drive slower!
 
the old owner of my car said he only ran 87. he said he called ford and they said you can run it but for top performance run 93. the car did not ping but i ran it for a little bit on 87 then put a tank of 93 in and my MPG's got better, ran smoother and the car had more usable power. never looked back after that.
 
Thank God for knock sensors and such! I'm just amazed that people who may not know much about cars would disregard that it says right on the fuel gauge that premium fuel is required. Do they think it's required only for "spirited" driving or only when it's under $3 a gallon or that the manufacturer doesn't know what its talking about? :crazy:
Karl
 
First, you must understand what octane is.

Second, you must know your car.

Then you can intelligently make your own decision.

Running higher octane than the engine needs provides absolutely no benefit.

Ford recommends 91 octane for the Contour SVT.

93 isn't needed unless you have made modification that impact octane.

I have compared 91 octane and 87 octane in my car several times and cannot tell the difference.

I maintain it aggressively, including cleaning combustion chambers and injectors frequently.

I made my living as a tune up technician and hot rod tuner for several years so I fully understand octane.

Your experience may differ.

I'm disappointed that my car wasn't factory tuned to better accommodate higher octane fuel as they left horsepower on the table.
 
Yes, I tried to accommodate anyone on this site who does run less than 91 but knows their car well enough to know it will be okay by calling out those "who may not know much" about their cars. It's these people who cause the most heartburn when they bring their cars in with a self created problem and try and blame the manufacturer or the dealer for their short sightedness. I too made my living as a dealer tune up tech and later on was a service writer so I heard a lot of sad stories.
Karl
 
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