What grade of gas? All gas questions answered! **Merged all gas threads**

[kenchan]

lol... you should've just gotten a LX.

[ryker]

Ex- sun roof, better stereo, disc brakes...... Probably not worth the extra cost. But it is what I wanted.

[FusionSi11]

Originally Posted by icewildabeast

Well, I guess I am the guinea pig for this. I will be getting new pistons/rods when I go 12psi boost turbo, but until then, I guess I don't really care THAT much. I mean, yes engine maintenance is important, and I agree with the whole gas price to engine part replacement thing.

But since I'll be completely replacing the pistons/rods (which is where detonation would occur), I'm not that worried, especially after reading some articles on it (read further below). But since I've been driving since like... day 2 on 87 octane, I havent felt that much of a difference. I did switch to 91 for a couple tanks, and I can seriously say that 91 would have to strictly be for engine life.
But hey, maybe because I started on "sucky" fuel, my engine got used to it.

I looked at gas prices and realized that it's actually a much larger difference than I thought. It's a $.36 difference, so basically $4/tank. and I never get under 25mpg (hover between 25-27) I've had my car since june, and have 11k miles on it. Mostly with normal grade fuel. From my understanding, if you kept switching back and forth between premium and normal, that hurts the engine more than just sitting on normal grade all the time. And it makes sense too. Here's an article I'm refering to


Basically timing will be retarded if knock is sensed, and engine will slowly push timing back to "normal" when octane changes. Well, if you keep switching back and forth, there will be more knock because it'll push it, and then all of a sudden you're back on crap fuel. If you stay on "crap" fuel, then your engine doesn't push the timings (as much) because the octane is the same, so the jumps in differences are all relatively the same.



So until I boost my SI, there's no need to put in premium. I'm not racing my stock SI, I use it as a DD. So the 5% loss in power is negligible. Sure I vtec sometimes, but as I said, I dont race (yet). I know what my car can/can not race.


So I guess my question is: Is my train of thought correct. I feel like my arguments are there, and can be inferred as correct, but I'd like some more opinions/ actual numbers. If you need any number off my car, I'd be happy to provide.

thanks for being the guinea pig buddy. if you're trying to save money, then i suggest driving conservatively because you're just contradicting yourself in this thread if you're using WOT often. OH...and BTW...that quote that is highlighted in your post is from a GENERAL MOTORS employee....ENOUGH SAID.

[Agnt004]

How can you prove to a potential buyer that you used premium throughout the life of the car?

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by Agnt004

How can you prove to a potential buyer that you used premium throughout the life of the car?

Hmm..... swab the gas hole, chemical analysis of swab contents...

Or just tell him your not dumb and you know what to put in an Si. If someone is asking that question then their just paranoid or are trying to reduce the price.

[icewildabeast]

Well, if its just pistons to be worried about.. than im not worried, I'll use regular gas until I turbo, because I wont be using the same pistons anymore, and I'll do some pics of the pistons when I take them out and put in forged ones for boosting.

Buy an EX/LX you say? No thank you. If it shortens the life of the car from 300 to 200k, then that's fine with me. I'll have a new car by then.
I've seen honda's go 400k miles on regular pump gas. (of course no boosting)

I truely dont use vtec a lot or race. And I refil actually more often than once a week. I drive on average about 2.5k/month, and at $.36 difference/gallon, that's $36/month assuming 25mpg. I'd hit 100k in a little over 3yrs. By then I'll have done 1 of 2 things: ripped the engine apart and done the whole turbo kit.... OR checked the pistons, and buy a new car (and use it on my tax returns for business). BTW, tnx for pointing out that it was a GM employee that said that. I wont totally discredit him, but I'd like to see what other companies have to say about it.

~Will

[07BlakBlak]

Originally Posted by ryker

The cost for high octance fuel over 100k miles is roughly $800-900.00

100,000 / 25mpg = 4000 gallons of fuel

4000 x .20 (cost for high octane) = $800.00


Cost to replace a piston or a burnt valve? De-value of the Si when the new used car buyers want proof that you used the correct fuel grade? De-value to the Si "if" future problems start to happen on the Si cars due to incorrect fuel grade?

Which is why I bought the EX.

$800-$900 over the course of 100,000 is not even noticable. If anyone is pinching pennies over that you need a new job, or you are overextending yourself in other areas. Im getting 30mpg in my Si, not that that matters...it just means all the sudden its $666. Lets just use your $800 for comparison, that way you can see it with your figures.

Lets say you drive ALOT. 20,000 miles/year. So it costs you $160/year in Premium vs Regular...OR $13/Month.

If you were USING Premium and paying the additional $$ you wouldnt have an issue with a burnt piston or valve.....so its not a cost in addition to the gas mileage. Devalue of the Si for proof....maybe devalue if someone has proof you diddnt? Get outta here man. Your reaching hard. Future problems that occur due to fuel wouldnt be an issue if you just put premium in from the get go.

My fiance has an EX, so im not hatin. But I can easily make the argument that the increased resale value of the Si more than makes up for the tiny increase in price for Premium fuel....by double.

Just put the freaking correct gas in the car. This is rediculous. If you can afford the Premium vs Regular, you need to be looking for a new job.

[icewildabeast]

Actually I found the answer I was truely looking for. I called up the local honda dealer and talked to a mechanic. It's not the knocking you really need to be worried about, because it has a knock sensor and lowers timings automatically. What you do need to be worried about is it burns less efficiently, because it burns less efficiently, it builds up carbon and makes the the rings wear away. It's not that the premium gas is "cleaner" it's that it "burns cleaner"

So I will be using premium. I was attacking this "problem" from the wrong angle ^_^

PS
I needed to know what wore away faster, etc. Just because someone says "it'll wear away" faster, doesnt mean I'll take they're word for it. Kinda like most of us here wont take Bush's word for what he says. You want details ^_^

It never really was about the money. I make plenty of it ^_^

[FusionSi11]

Originally Posted by icewildabeast

Actually I found the answer I was truely looking for. I called up the local honda dealer and talked to a mechanic. It's not the knocking you really need to be worried about, because it has a knock sensor and lowers timings automatically. What you do need to be worried about is it burns less efficiently, because it burns less efficiently, it builds up carbon and makes the the rings wear away. It's not that the premium gas is "cleaner" it's that it "burns cleaner"

So I will be using premium. I was attacking this "problem" from the wrong angle ^_^

PS
I needed to know what wore away faster, etc. Just because someone says "it'll wear away" faster, doesnt mean I'll take they're word for it. Kinda like most of us here wont take Bush's word for what he says. You want details ^_^

It never really was about the money. I make plenty of it ^_^

good to hear...you, sir, have made the correct decision.

[ryker]

Originally Posted by GoHuskies

If someone is asking that question then their just paranoid or are trying to reduce the price.

Most car buyers wouldn't care one bit or know enough to ask. I mention this becuase the "IF" low octane fuel with the Si engine causes future problems it will become known. Another "IF" - If it becomes known then potential buyers will place a value on cars with proven use of correct gas grades and DEvalue those that don't. Just like the value of a car without knowing the timing belt history - is an automatic decrease. Also I've seen this happen with the PD_TDI engine in VW's. They are suffering from owners and dealerships NOT using the correct 505.01 rated oil and the smart buyers will not buy that car or place a hefty negative value on it.

Originally Posted by 07BlakBlak

$800-$900 over the course of 100,000 is not even noticable. If anyone is pinching pennies over that you need a new job, or you are overextending yourself in other areas. Im getting 30mpg in my Si, not that that matters...it just means all the sudden its $666. Lets just use your $800 for comparison, that way you can see it with your figures.

Lets say you drive ALOT. 20,000 miles/year. So it costs you $160/year in Premium vs Regular...OR $13/Month.

13.00 per month that could be applied to your home loan or high interest credit cards... Do that math! I'

Devalue of the Si for proof....maybe devalue if someone has proof you diddnt? Get outta here man. Your reaching hard. Future problems that occur due to fuel wouldnt be an issue if you just put premium in from the get go.

All I was saying is that - "IF" there are problems with the Si then it will devalue the car. Longshot on the "IF" Since other issues like 3rd gear and poor paint will be more of a concern.

If you can afford the Premium vs Regular, you need to be looking for a new job.

Paid cash for my EX. So I don't think a the job is the issue. It's all on how you save and how you waste money.

[ryker]

Originally Posted by icewildabeast

PS
I needed to know what wore away faster, etc. Just because someone says "it'll wear away" faster, doesnt mean I'll take they're word for it. Kinda like most of us here wont take Bush's word for what he says. You want details ^_^

It never really was about the money. I make plenty of it ^_^

Good one on Bush. Reps givin.

[bizzybearfigiblue]

Originally Posted by ryker

Paid cash for my EX. So I don't think a the job is the issue. It's all on how you save and how you waste money.

u have an EX u don't need to worry about what grade gas u use... the CR isn't high enough for u to worry about having to use Premium gas...

if anything is stopping you from enjoying the money u have to where u have to save every little penny the job sounds like it COULD be a problem... notice i said could b/c there's a millionaire i know about that takes ketchup from McDonalds/Burger King/etc... just so he doesn't have to buy ketchup for his house...

i fully agree that wasting money isn't necessary... but if u were to reevaluate what u spend money on i'm sure u can find something else to cut back on and put into ur gas tank...

[ryker]

Originally Posted by bizzybearfigiblue

u have an EX u don't need to worry about what grade gas u use... the CR isn't high enough for u to worry about having to use Premium gas...



i fully agree that wasting money isn't necessary... but if u were to reevaluate what u spend money on i'm sure u can find something else to cut back on and put into ur gas tank...

Lol like the 500.00 I put into a 170.00 Ruger 10/22 just to put small holes into a paper target

Or the amount of money I spend on supplements to stay big. But I like to have the bar bending when I lift!

The key is to save and be pennywise with everything. Nobody (most working class) makes enough money to just toss away.

BTW I use 6.00 per gallon high octane race gas in my street bike!

[bizzybearfigiblue]

if u want to add numbers 95% of the population can't toss money away... i forgot what study it was... but earlier this year they said that 60% of the population doesn't make more than $30k per year... to me that's scary...

it also depends on what u call tossing away...

anyways ADHD kicking in

[Tommygun43]

To the dude being the "guinea" pig running 87 octane, your test is gonna be really freakin boring, cuz not a damn thing special is gonna happen. Gonna be no different than running 91.

[icewildabeast]

lol.... say that to the 30 other people (in this post) and honda mechanics that say otherwise.

I have run for 11k miles on 87 octane, I will remove the pistons and show pictures and do some dyno numbers before I do that.

[Civic4u]

just unleaded....I haven't a clue what # mean?

[BLU BY U]

hay guyz, since winter hit i decided to make sure my engine doesnt freeze .i used 2-cycle engine oil additive to my gasoline. car seem to be running funny though? is this from the added lubrication?

[Tommygun43]

your joking right