Long-term effects of using < 91 octane fuel
03-26-2010, 09:00 AM
#11
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and that kind of logic, my friend, is why the price of fuel in general, and taxes, are going to keep creeping up and up, cent by cent, for no other reason than they can and guys like you say whats the difference, it's only $3 per tank. Or so what, my taxes are only going to increase by $100 a year - no big deal.
Sorry, one of my pet peeves. I digress.
Sorry, one of my pet peeves. I digress.
yes because this attitude towards the difference is the direct result to the reasons for crude oil technology going up and therefore oil refinery prices going up and the end consumer paying more lol
03-26-2010, 09:22 AM
#12
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 550 i, mystic blue, black leather, cold weather package, nav, sport, shades, bags, rear heat, V1 hardwired.
05 F350 TD Crew Cab
04 Range Rover HSE
91 964 C4 Cabrio
07 997 Turbo Cabrio
I don't agree that the counter measures will not affect the life of the car, but then if i really thought the 3 points in octane mattered..I would mix in some 100LL from he airport.
03-26-2010, 09:45 AM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550, Carbon Black Metallic, Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades, etc.
Retired - 2004 545 SMG, Black Sapphire Metallic, Auburn Dakota Leather, Cold Weather and Sports Packages, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades
Let's see, long term effects of using lower grade gas? How about not having engine repairs covered even if you are under warranty. The owners manual does not say "91 or Premium octeane recommended" it says "required", which to me means using lower octane fuel can give the dealer a reason not to cover a repair even if the warranty is still active. Other than that? You're good 
I use the highest octane available, which for me (SoCal) is 91.
I use the highest octane available, which for me (SoCal) is 91.
03-26-2010, 10:08 AM
#14
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550i, 1984 Mercedes Gelandewagen
Ethanol 33.1 MJ/kg
Gasoline 46.4 MJ/kg
03-26-2010, 10:20 AM
#15
Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Burlington Vermont
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So my mother lives in the Bahamas, and she just got a CPO 2006 750i, and in the Bahamas, the only type of gas you can buy is 87 octane and her car runs fine. she just got her car about a year ago, loves it and has no problems burning the 87, lets give it a few more years though. Car was a real gem, 2006 with only 7,800 miles, thing was brand new, picked it up for $35,500 in Orlando.
03-26-2010, 10:29 AM
#16
Contributors
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 10,496
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
Actually, what the manual says is 91 octane is "highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87." So clearly, using 87 octane will not void your warranty. And the notion that a car manufacturer can void you warranty or refuse to cover repairs is way overblown. They may try often, but the laws (especially in states like California) are set up to protect consumers. Like insurance companies, manufacturers count on the fact that consumers do not have the persistence or resources to follow through on these things.
Fuel specifications
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
The minimum octane rating is 91.
If you use gasoline with this minimum octane
rating, the engine may produce knocking
sounds when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Minimum octane rating corresponds to the Anti
Knock Index AKI and is determined according
to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as
03-26-2010, 10:29 AM
#17
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
EFF it - throw some leaded gas in that biotch and see what happens!
03-26-2010, 10:34 AM
#18
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550i, 1984 Mercedes Gelandewagen
03-26-2010, 10:42 AM
#19
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
Umnitza ICE-Lite 10w LED 6000k AE's
1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
03-26-2010, 10:42 AM
#20
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
lower octane will not harm your car. you or your car probably couldnt tell the difference, unless the temperature is high and you load the engine a lot.
lots of times if i know i'm just going to be doing a lot of highway driving, i'll just use the cheaper gas. higher octane gas while just cruising, has no benefits. higher octane gas just prevents pre-ingition under heavier loads and higher temps.
lots of times if i know i'm just going to be doing a lot of highway driving, i'll just use the cheaper gas. higher octane gas while just cruising, has no benefits. higher octane gas just prevents pre-ingition under heavier loads and higher temps.