I think 2 is right
but I've two people run out of gas so I give myself 20 miles once that light comes on

I was starting to get nervous when my light came on and the needle dropped below E before I made it to my regular stop. I went at least 20 miles with the light on, and I put in 13.9 gallons (even topping it off that last 0.1). Finally broke 20MPG, with 278.4 miles driven! Woo Hoo - new milestone. Been using 89 octane, BTW. And I don't keep it under 6000RPM! Redlining is good... redlining is good...

aren't you guys worried that putting 87 in the car will hurt it in the long run?

ok so you've justified it to be ok by saying that putting 87 instead of say 91 in feels the same, but that means almost nothing in relation to the life of the engine.

i guess what i am trying to say is, it's a 30 thousand dollar car, putting 87 seems to be really cheap. i mean, I can't picture someone pumping 87 into their Z or G35 at a gas station, AND i feel that my 8 is better than those cars!

I can't help but think that many a car consumer has been "duped" by the oil companies, who have gotten car companies to go along with their little ruse and put "premium fuel recommended" on their gas cap doors. Most luxury sedans "require" premium fuel, but those engines are often not real performance engines (although they may be big nonetheless and put out a lot of hp's).

It's just like Jiffy Lube and other oil change places. If you drive a luxury car they'll charge you extra for changing the oil. Is it any harder, or is the oil any different? Nope. But since you drive a more expensive car, you'll pay up for your oil change.

Historically, NA rotaries have wanted VERY low octane fuel to run properly. In fact, many of the Mazda racing wins with the rotary was with regular gasoline, while the competitors were running race gas. :P From what canzoomer has determined whilst tuning his 8 is that the Mazda maps have a lot of overhead in them and are built so that 87 octane will produce no ill effects. Check out his thread in the tech garage, if you haven't already. Very interesting reading.

thanks!

Many cars that require premium fuel have high compression engines, which need a higher octane to avoid premature detonation. I always run premium in my Maxima, but my Miata always got regular.

didn,'t you guys also know that the higher the octanage the more "power" is created but because the is a "bigger explosion" in the chanber thus making more impact and obviously herting more?. the bigger/higher the detonation, the more the parts suffer...! so yeah using 93+ octane HAS its own consequences as well

Higher octane burns slower, but it is not more 'powerful' in the regard that you are speaking of. The benefit of high octane gas is resistance to detonation, beneficial for boosted and high-compression motors.

post update... i DO get the same miles BUT i also DO get KNOCKIN in the engine.

Today in my way home, i heard knocking noises at about 6k in 2nd gear and 3 rd gears only. Enought for me to go back to 93 oc.
So if you decide to use 87, be aware and warned

wow
sorry to hear that
I'm glad Ive used 91 or higher

yeah it was ery weird to hear it. i was not looking for it or expecting it so i over heard it atop the readio and that was an inmediate call to slow down and purge the tank