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87, 89, 91, what's the best fuel?

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Old 01-19-2006, 06:20 PM
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So you are going against the OM (91 octane Min) to save about $2.50 A TANK and possibly damage a $5000 engine? IMO, not a smart move.


Lower octane = pinging= engine damage.
Old 01-19-2006, 06:25 PM
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are you saying that 91 octane produces more power????? have never had a knock issue. it is not about money it is about what runs better...and pissing away money. btw, engine can be purchased for 2500.

start reading the threads above and get back to me.

beers
Old 01-19-2006, 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by valpac
So you are going against the OM (91 octane Min) to save about $2.50 A TANK and possibly damage a $5000 engine? IMO, not a smart move.
Valpac, the minimum octane specified by Mazda is 87. So, 87 users are not "going against" anything.
Old 01-19-2006, 09:29 PM
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They don't even offer 91 where I live. 87 - 89 - 93
Old 01-19-2006, 11:11 PM
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Man, you guys are getting nice and heated about your octanes. Hey swoope, have you ever run higher octane in your car? I know running 91, when I am flooring it, at the top end when I get near the red line it almost feels like maybe the fuel isn't burning to the point that it should be and thus I'm experiencing a slight flooding effect. Do you feel anything close to that with the 87, or does anyone feel what I'm talking about for that matter? Oh what the hell, I'll fill up 87 on my next 2 tanks and see how she runs. I'll be my own ginney pig.
Old 01-19-2006, 11:32 PM
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ginney pig is good, this is not heated up at all and that is good for a change.

i suggest if you are going to try the 87 make sure you reset your ecu and let it learn again. and in cali might try 89 first.

beers
Old 01-20-2006, 07:40 AM
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All I run in 87 in mine as well, for the following reasons.

1. It starts quicker, doesn't take as long to ignite the 87 octane as it does 93.
2. Throttle response feels to be much better on 87, anything higher seems to have some lag.
3. Less soot in the tailpipes when running 87, tells me I am getting a more complete burn.
4. No pinging or strange noises from the engine.
5. Seems to just run better all around, much smoother.

For these reasons I use 87, and from what I have read on the board posted by Rotarygod and the Mazsport threads, just because Mazda "recommends" doesn't mean you have to use it. I feel they are just following the trend of "all performance cars have to have 91 or better now, it just makes more power", kinda logic. Basically just a marketing gimmick.
Old 01-20-2006, 11:02 AM
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I guess whatever you feel comfortable with. Hell, put glow plug fuel in the car if that is your preference. People are going to use whatever fuel they want. Then they try to justify it in their own mind using all sorts of evidence, alot of it unreliable. Then when something happens to their motors as a result of their decision to use gas that is < that recommended by Mazda (I guess they put that sticker inside the gas cap lid cuz they had extras to use up) they will bitch and moan about how unreliable the Renesis is.

So here are MY justifications for using Premium ONLY (and only mine).

1) Mazda engineers recommend it.

2) My own experiment (one time test) had the motor pinging using 89 Exxon.
Prolonged pinging can and will damage the rotor face cuz its THINNER than the old 13b rotors used in the RX-7.

3) Same 89 Exxon experiment decreased performance.

4) When it comes to my 8, I don't skimp.

Your results may vary and I dont care that they do.
Old 01-20-2006, 12:59 PM
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Valpac, you are right, it all depends on your car and how it acts. Some do not like the cheaper gas, some cars love it. You just have to try the stuff you want, and see if it can handle it.
Old 01-20-2006, 02:31 PM
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87 OCTANE here.. I was using premium but switched...the car seems to be just as happy if not more with 87.
Old 01-20-2006, 03:46 PM
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I know for resetting the ECM I can just disconnect the battery and reset the ECM that way, but is there a way to do it without loosing my radio stations and such, maybe some crazy pushing the gas and brake pedal while holding the car in 6th and pushing the tripometer or something?
Old 01-20-2006, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by valpac
I guess whatever you feel comfortable with. Hell, put glow plug fuel in the car if that is your preference. People are going to use whatever fuel they want. Then they try to justify it in their own mind using all sorts of evidence, alot of it unreliable. Then when something happens to their motors as a result of their decision to use gas that is < that recommended by Mazda (I guess they put that sticker inside the gas cap lid cuz they had extras to use up) they will bitch and moan about how unreliable the Renesis is.

So here are MY justifications for using Premium ONLY (and only mine).

1) Mazda engineers recommend it.

2) My own experiment (one time test) had the motor pinging using 89 Exxon.
Prolonged pinging can and will damage the rotor face cuz its THINNER than the old 13b rotors used in the RX-7.

3) Same 89 Exxon experiment decreased performance.

4) When it comes to my 8, I don't skimp.

Your results may vary and I dont care that they do.
So if you dont care what other people do, then why are you responding...? Just giving you ****.
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