Gas Prices & Additives

[zephram22]

OK guys. So I learned recently that I have to use premium fuel in my 02 3.5. When I was using 87, I had a terrible knock. Not anymore though. Anyways...Premium gas has now passed $3.15 and it shows no signs of getting any better. Just the opposite, it might be around $3.50 a gallon by the end of the week.

I filled up my tank last nice and guess how much it cost me? Almost $60! That's ridiculous. So...I was wondering if it would be allright if I use 87 octane and then put an octance booster into the tank. I've read that adding octane booster can really mess up these Aurora engines. What have other people done?

[newscarver]

a good quality octane booster to treat a tankfull of 15 gallons or 60 litres costs abit of money too...savings i dont think it would be much

[Autobanaurora]

I've had no knocks or pings using 89. In fact, my 98 4.0 runs great with the 89. Never used 87. The only difference I can tell between 89 and 93 is the acceleration and quick response with 93. Driving 84 miles everyday didn't see the need for the 93. Mine purrs like a singer. Unless you are doing red light to red light, I'd try the 89.

[zephram22]

Originally Posted by newscarver

a good quality octane booster to treat a tankfull of 15 gallons or 60 litres costs abit of money too...savings i dont think it would be much

I've used the octane boosters in the past. But, I'm not so sure that I should be doing that with this engine. I dunno, something about the chemicals in those things can foul your sensors...BUT... Now that gas prices have jumped 25 cents overnight to 3.45 per gallon, I may as well get the cheap stuff and hope for the best.

[zephram22]

Originally Posted by Autobanaurora

I've had no knocks or pings using 89. In fact, my 98 4.0 runs great with the 89. Never used 87. The only difference I can tell between 89 and 93 is the acceleration and quick response with 93. Driving 84 miles everyday didn't see the need for the 93. Mine purrs like a singer. Unless you are doing red light to red light, I'd try the 89.

Hmm...never got the 89 before. Always did 87 or 94. I dunno, I'll try the 89 and see how it runs. Right now I have 94 in it and it's purring like it should..Incredible response too... But that might have something to do with the fact that I have the tranny fluid and filter changed yesterday.

[mcnu]

i have had my 97 for 1 year, and i have always used 87 with no additives. i have no problems at all and no knock whatsoever. i have 145,000. it is still gonna cost me $60. to fill up the tank. this is ridiculous.

[SteVB]

I have a '95 with 149,000 miles & i switched from 93 octane to 87 back around 110,000 miles (4 yrs ago) when i started to have financial problems & i`ve NEVER noticed any problems. no valve pinging until my last trip to gatlinburg going up a very steep mountain.
back on flat land its fine. great power too. it`s just TOO damned expensive to put premium in it these days.

[kiway22]

GM says"gasolines in the US are required to contain additives that help prevent deposites from forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your emission control system to function properly. Therefore you shouldn't have to add anything to the fuel. And recommends an octane rating of 91, but you may use an octane as low as 87 in an emergency." GM also forbids gasolines contaning MMT(Methycyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl), which are gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions.

[Indy8]

At this point in the thread there is usually someone willing to post an entire dissertation on formulas, detonation, flame travel and burn cycles to prove that, a;it's all a conspiracy between the oil companies and the auto makers to pay more for fuel that's not necessary, b;there's no 'real world' difference between the octane numbers anyway, and finally c; They're too cheap to pay the difference. Anybody??

[vamc]

The octain booster will turn your plugs white. Do not use that stuff. If you do it correctly, you can mix your own gas. I put 114oct racing fuel awith 87 and im comming up with 94 oct. racing fuel is about 4.50 a gal. its cheeper. its all ratio and porportion(sp). 91 oct will be fine in your car.