best gas for the 8.
02-16-2009, 10:49 PM
#51
BP for some reasons is almost always at least $0.10 more a gallon of the same octane at other places. Kinda crazy. As of now I've been putting 89 in my car because Lincoln, NE is the worst city on the face of the planet and I there aren't even very many stations with 91.
02-17-2009, 09:53 PM
#52
is looking for his torque
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BP for some reasons is almost always at least $0.10 more a gallon of the same octane at other places. Kinda crazy. As of now I've been putting 89 in my car because Lincoln, NE is the worst city on the face of the planet and I there aren't even very many stations with 91.
02-18-2009, 12:49 PM
#57
Elite Eight
I only put 93 in my car
Vpower when ever i can and i avoid small privately owned gas stations at all cost... a small gas station in my town was found to be watering down there gas and was fined heavily for it
Vpower when ever i can and i avoid small privately owned gas stations at all cost... a small gas station in my town was found to be watering down there gas and was fined heavily for it
02-18-2009, 02:10 PM
#58
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Wow.... Y'all are picky...
I go through a tank every 3-5 days (the 8 is my commuter car).
Never had any knocking issues whatsoever, running 87 (regular) unleaded from any of the following stations: Shell, Swifty, Thorton's, Speedway, Marathon, Kroger, and miscellaneous truck stops for longer trips... To be perfectly honest, ALL gas stations in this area are supplied by the same refinery (Marathon/Ashland Oil); only difference is what additive crap a particular station wants to put in it, and the ethanol ratio.
About the only thing I notice is, Speedway costs the most, has the most volatile upward price swings, and generally gets the worst fuel economy (17.5 verses my typical 19.2), but sometimes, the bingo fuel light is on, and it's my only choice.
I've always subscribed to the theory that unless you have an issue, run with the lowest octane your engine will drink, 'cause otherwise you're just throwing money away for a false sense of "peace". No thank you...
(My 2004 8 has 76,000 miles and counting; I've put approximately 32,000 miles on it since I bought it in August of '08.)
I go through a tank every 3-5 days (the 8 is my commuter car).
Never had any knocking issues whatsoever, running 87 (regular) unleaded from any of the following stations: Shell, Swifty, Thorton's, Speedway, Marathon, Kroger, and miscellaneous truck stops for longer trips... To be perfectly honest, ALL gas stations in this area are supplied by the same refinery (Marathon/Ashland Oil); only difference is what additive crap a particular station wants to put in it, and the ethanol ratio.
About the only thing I notice is, Speedway costs the most, has the most volatile upward price swings, and generally gets the worst fuel economy (17.5 verses my typical 19.2), but sometimes, the bingo fuel light is on, and it's my only choice.
I've always subscribed to the theory that unless you have an issue, run with the lowest octane your engine will drink, 'cause otherwise you're just throwing money away for a false sense of "peace". No thank you...
(My 2004 8 has 76,000 miles and counting; I've put approximately 32,000 miles on it since I bought it in August of '08.)
Mazda put the research in and trust me if they don't have to put "premium Unleaded only" stickers they won't. That hurts car sales.
02-18-2009, 06:52 PM
#59
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Our cars will probably run on the lowest octane you can find anywhere (I'm hoping the 76octane person was kidding??) and you won't notice knocking as computers will notice the knock before your ability to ever think you heard it, BUT that means that the timing is being retard to compensate for the knocking.
02-18-2009, 07:56 PM
#60
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Our cars will probably run on the lowest octane you can find anywhere (I'm hoping the 76octane person was kidding??) and you won't notice knocking as computers will notice the knock before your ability to ever think you heard it, BUT that means that the timing is being retard to compensate for the knocking. Throw your car on a dyno next to a car with 91. I am certain that the retard in timing is enough to throw out low HP numbers as well as bad fuel economy and unburnt hydrocarbons. I'd be curious if you hear noise in the high rpms especially redline?
Mazda put the research in and trust me if they don't have to put "premium Unleaded only" stickers they won't. That hurts car sales.
Mazda put the research in and trust me if they don't have to put "premium Unleaded only" stickers they won't. That hurts car sales.
02-18-2009, 08:29 PM
#61
The only reason I use 93 Octane is as a barrier of insurance for my engine; however, I may eventually go back to 91 for loosely explained reasons below.
I do not claim to be knowledgeable in the subject, but my basic understanding is that there is no benefit to higher octane than the manufacturer recommends other than resistance to detonation. Whether higher octane fuels (100+ or possibly race-specific) may have properties that provide more power is unknown to me, yet this resistance property is THE definition of the *octane rating*.
Detonation involves at least two factors: compression and heat. For one, we know that the Renesis runs at a relatively high compression rate of 10:1. I would presume the reason many are able to safely run with lower octane than recommended is because they are using it in a climate within lower tolerances of what Mazda considers to be the upper range of operating temperatures the cars will see globally in conjunction with the high compression. (eew; sorry about the run-on) Interpretation - 91 octane recommended is Mazda covering their *** in saying it is the global safe octane number to normally run the car in any temperature environment. As an aside, I am wondering how many people run lower than 91 octane gas on the track in temperate climate zones (90 degrees-ish) without problems.
I kinda lost my train of thought with this and hope my blabbering is sufficient for whatever point (if any) I was or was not trying to make. (I am half-expecting a big " WELL DUH!" or something worse from a particular crowd of people
)
I do not claim to be knowledgeable in the subject, but my basic understanding is that there is no benefit to higher octane than the manufacturer recommends other than resistance to detonation. Whether higher octane fuels (100+ or possibly race-specific) may have properties that provide more power is unknown to me, yet this resistance property is THE definition of the *octane rating*.
Detonation involves at least two factors: compression and heat. For one, we know that the Renesis runs at a relatively high compression rate of 10:1. I would presume the reason many are able to safely run with lower octane than recommended is because they are using it in a climate within lower tolerances of what Mazda considers to be the upper range of operating temperatures the cars will see globally in conjunction with the high compression. (eew; sorry about the run-on) Interpretation - 91 octane recommended is Mazda covering their *** in saying it is the global safe octane number to normally run the car in any temperature environment. As an aside, I am wondering how many people run lower than 91 octane gas on the track in temperate climate zones (90 degrees-ish) without problems.
I kinda lost my train of thought with this and hope my blabbering is sufficient for whatever point (if any) I was or was not trying to make. (I am half-expecting a big " WELL DUH!" or something worse from a particular crowd of people
)
02-19-2009, 01:48 PM
#63
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I looked for some sort of sticker on the pump yesterday to tell me Ethanol %, but didn't see one. Is there another place to find out, or just ask whoever works inside assuming they even know?
02-19-2009, 02:09 PM
#64
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In PA, DE, MD, VA (all the states I drive in regularly) the ethanol sticker is on the pump. I'm not sure what the deal is in Texas however, so this probably isn't very helpful. If your state doesn't require ethanol, it is possible that there isn't any in the gas (Some people say they can still get VPower without Ethanol)
02-19-2009, 02:21 PM
#65
sunoco always uses 10% ethanol around me and if its in there they have to show it if no sticker than no ethanol and 10% i think is the max they are aloud to use. and i have used 87,89,and 93 in mine and notice a change in the miles per tank i get but i do notice a difference in stop and go driving not on the highway though but i usually go with 93 only ran lower one time on a long drive and around town to finish the tank off. and sometimes get i believe is 104 from speedway when i plan to drive hard
06-05-2009, 12:24 PM
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Sorry to bring up an old thread.
What do you guys think about 90 octane?
I am talking about Husky with 90 octane. Husky has 90 octane same price as all other gas stations in my area selling 87 octane. it's very close to 91, but priced at regular. That's like 12~13% saving but pretty close to required octane....
What do you guys think about 90 octane?
I am talking about Husky with 90 octane. Husky has 90 octane same price as all other gas stations in my area selling 87 octane. it's very close to 91, but priced at regular. That's like 12~13% saving but pretty close to required octane....
06-05-2009, 12:31 PM
#67
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I use Shell V-Power
to answer your question: it really doesnt matter. 90 is close enough to 91 which is recommended. Even then, you dont NEED 91 octane. People will fill it at 87 and it will still run. 91 is just better for the engine
to answer your question: it really doesnt matter. 90 is close enough to 91 which is recommended. Even then, you dont NEED 91 octane. People will fill it at 87 and it will still run. 91 is just better for the engine
06-05-2009, 12:45 PM
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I just realize husky has 10% ethanol. That's why it's cheaper for higher octane. The maximum ethanol on owner's manual states 10%. That means it's right at the maximum ethanol.
hmmmm..... suddenly it doesn't sound as attractive anymore.....
hmmmm..... suddenly it doesn't sound as attractive anymore.....
06-05-2009, 12:49 PM
#70
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I pull into BP, Shell, or Sunoco and pull out the respective credit card. Roll down the window, pop the gas door.
Hand them the credit card and say fill up 93.
The manual claims 91 octane. But the only station around me sells 91 for $.05-$.15 cheaper than 93. So I just go for the major companies and get 93. I have had limited issues with my car by gas related.
I'd recommend throwing in BG44K every couple of months (can be purchased from Rosenthaln Mazda) It cleans the fuel system, giving you a better smoother ride.
Hand them the credit card and say fill up 93.
The manual claims 91 octane. But the only station around me sells 91 for $.05-$.15 cheaper than 93. So I just go for the major companies and get 93. I have had limited issues with my car by gas related.
I'd recommend throwing in BG44K every couple of months (can be purchased from Rosenthaln Mazda) It cleans the fuel system, giving you a better smoother ride.
06-05-2009, 01:08 PM
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So it's E10 gas. hmmm.... they have E10 with 94 octane in husky also a little cheaper than others...
Any one can explain me more about E10 on our 8? Some Shell and Chevron also sells E10, right?
Any one can explain me more about E10 on our 8? Some Shell and Chevron also sells E10, right?
