using higher octane on v6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

need4spd · 05-19-2010, 04:38 PM

manual says 87 octane.. can we use higher octane on our v6 and not damage engine? or is there really a difference between using 87 and 93

Frank in MD · 05-19-2010, 04:41 PM

I don't think you'll damage the engine, but you might blacken the plugs, while spending more than you should.

Buhmblbe · 05-19-2010, 04:43 PM

I think the manual says something like 87 or higher. I have been putting 92/93 in since I got it and have not had a problem.
Go to this thread...Read post number 4...Should just about sum it up for you.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...t=v6+octane%27

Berean · 05-19-2010, 04:47 PM

You can always go higher, but should never go lower.

Lower octane in cars not designed for it will cause engine knock due to fuel ignition outside of the combustion cycle.

You wouldn't think so, but lower octane fuel will ignite more easily, which is why it's not used in high compression engines.

squat · 05-19-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berean

You can always go higher, but should never go lower.

Lower octane in cars not designed for it will cause engine knock due to fuel ignition outside of the combustion cycle.

You wouldn't think so, but lower octane fuel will ignite more easily, which is why it's not used in high compression engines.

In newer cars the engine has sensors that detect knock and will retard the timing accordingly so the engine isn't damaged. So you probably could run lower grade in there, but I would avoid it.

SSOOCH · 05-19-2010, 05:00 PM

My HHR SS requires (in the owners manual) 91 or higher octane. Now that's just a little 2.0L ecotec that's turbo charged.

If I had a 312hp V6 Camaro, I'd put 91 or higher in it. That's just my two cents. What are you saving by going with lower gas. $2.70 a fill up?

zen · 05-19-2010, 06:12 PM

If the ECM is set to maximize at 87 octane then you will actually loose power using a higher octane. Lower octane gasoline contains more BTU's of energy then higher octane.

kevin1 · 05-19-2010, 06:16 PM

I've been using mid-grade or higher no problems here. And really the price for a fill up aint much more if ya think about

USAFJeeper · 05-19-2010, 06:20 PM

Thats my thinking. At most 93 is 30 cents more than reg unleaded. So... 4-5 bucks mor eon a fillup max. If I can find 91, I use that, around here, with good gas stations, its 89 or 93...

I dont think it hurts the V6, would it affect gas mileage? Hell I dont know, the closest I am to a mechanic is when I am handing one money.

jagan323 · 05-19-2010, 07:42 PM

lol. If you drive a V6 just fill with 87. No need to spend the extra money. Higher doesn't benefit you at all. Doesn't increase MPG, doesn't make it more powerful... I thought I should have used Premium on my V6 as well. But if the Manual says 87... just do as it says. =D

2010CamaroRS · 05-20-2010, 01:33 PM

+1

Darth_Emma · 05-20-2010, 01:35 PM

As others have said, it's a waste of money to put higher octane fuel in the V6. It is designed to run on regular. You are throwing away money as you won't get any gains from higher octane fuel.

rjcamaro · 05-20-2010, 03:20 PM

Gasoline Factors That Matter
The quality of gasoline and the additive package usually affect the rate of engine wear more than the octane rating. Basically what this means is that it matters more where you buy your gas than which grade you purchase.

Regular Unleaded Gasoline
The recommended gasoline for most cars is regular 87 octane. One common misconception is that higher octane gasoline contains more cleaning additives than lower octane gas. All octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against engine deposit build-up. In fact, using a gasoline with too high of an octane rating may cause damage to the emissions system.

Mid-Grade Gasoline
The octane ratings 'regular', 'mid-grade', and 'premium' are not consistent. In the United States, for example, one state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for premium gasoline, while another may allow an octane rating of 90 to be premium. Check the octane rating on the yellow sticker on the gas pump rather than relying on descriptive labels.

Premium Gasoline
Certain high performance engines benefit from use of high octane fuel. For other engines, using a fuel with a higher octane rating than the vehicle requires sends unburned fuel into the emissions system and catalytic converter. This puts unecessary stress on the emissions system. For some vehicles, a rotten egg smell coming from the tailpipe signals use of too-high octane gas.

PoorMansCamaro · 05-20-2010, 03:24 PM

I've been using 91 since i bought it. actually, the dealer filled up the gas with 91 right before i picked her up.

05-19-2010, 04:38 PM	#1
need4spd Drives: 2012 2SS Black on Black Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 280	using higher octane on v6 manual says 87 octane.. can we use higher octane on our v6 and not damage engine? or is there really a difference between using 87 and 93

05-19-2010, 04:41 PM	#2
Frank in MD Raining Blood Drives: 2014 SS Performance Sedan Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: facebook Posts: 2,683	I don't think you'll damage the engine, but you might blacken the plugs, while spending more than you should. __________________ Ordered 1/9/12 - Born 2/3/12 - Delivered 2/21/12 - '12 1SS/RS Summit White - TRADED. 2014 SS Performance Sedan #2974 - Red Hot 2 - S/R. & Spare. Built 01/09/14 #238 of 291 as configured

05-19-2010, 04:43 PM	#3
Buhmblbe Growing Up=Optional Drives: 2010 Camaro Transformers 2LT RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Setauket NY Posts: 165 View My Garage	I think the manual says something like 87 or higher. I have been putting 92/93 in since I got it and have not had a problem. Go to this thread...Read post number 4...Should just about sum it up for you. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...t=v6+octane%27 __________________ "Sleep is an inconvenience to living...Get up and start living."

05-19-2010, 05:00 PM	#6
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,358 View My Garage	My HHR SS requires (in the owners manual) 91 or higher octane. Now that's just a little 2.0L ecotec that's turbo charged. If I had a 312hp V6 Camaro, I'd put 91 or higher in it. That's just my two cents. What are you saving by going with lower gas. $2.70 a fill up? __________________

05-19-2010, 06:20 PM	#9
USAFJeeper Bringing mullets back Drives: 2010 Rally Yellow 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 632 View My Garage	Thats my thinking. At most 93 is 30 cents more than reg unleaded. So... 4-5 bucks mor eon a fillup max. If I can find 91, I use that, around here, with good gas stations, its 89 or 93... I dont think it hurts the V6, would it affect gas mileage? Hell I dont know, the closest I am to a mechanic is when I am handing one money. __________________ Stripes, InJen CAI, Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust system, Knight Rider scanner bar behind the grill (sue me!, I like it!) Next - Tinting

05-19-2010, 04:47 PM	#4
Berean Drives: Truck Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Home Posts: 2,439	You can always go higher, but should never go lower. Lower octane in cars not designed for it will cause engine knock due to fuel ignition outside of the combustion cycle. You wouldn't think so, but lower octane fuel will ignite more easily, which is why it's not used in high compression engines.

05-19-2010, 06:12 PM	#7
zen Drives: 2011 CTS CPE & 2010 2LT/RS CGM Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 337	If the ECM is set to maximize at 87 octane then you will actually loose power using a higher octane. Lower octane gasoline contains more BTU's of energy then higher octane.

05-19-2010, 06:16 PM	#8
kevin1 Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Deridder, La. Posts: 167	I've been using mid-grade or higher no problems here. And really the price for a fill up aint much more if ya think about

05-19-2010, 07:42 PM	#10
jagan323 I have no life Drives: 06' Subaru STI, ex-Camaro V6 LLT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Top Gear Test Track Posts: 3,189	lol. If you drive a V6 just fill with 87. No need to spend the extra money. Higher doesn't benefit you at all. Doesn't increase MPG, doesn't make it more powerful... I thought I should have used Premium on my V6 as well. But if the Manual says 87... just do as it says. =D __________________ List of Camaro DIY The Blog

05-20-2010, 01:33 PM	#11
2010CamaroRS Driver of the Blue Demon Drives: '15 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Westfield, MA Posts: 2,550 View My Garage	+1 __________________ New England Camaro 5 The Few, The Proud, The Hyper Blue Metallics DT shorties.BBK Intake.FlowMaster AT.Eibach 1'' drop.Hurst Short Throw (44% reduction).Unrestricted Motorsports Gen 1 Style Rear Spoiler.Custom Aqua Blue Metallic Interior Panels.RS Embroidered Head Rests.Interior LED by Oracle.Illuminated Bowtie by Oracle.Footwell LED by Oracle.Grille LED by Oracle.Functional Headliner Console Toggle Switches for LED Lighting.Aqua Blue Engine Cover.RotoFab Radiator Cover.Aqua Blue Fuse Box Cover from RPI Designs.Much More

05-20-2010, 01:35 PM	#12
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	As others have said, it's a waste of money to put higher octane fuel in the V6. It is designed to run on regular. You are throwing away money as you won't get any gains from higher octane fuel.

05-20-2010, 03:20 PM	#13
rjcamaro 312 HP Drives: 2LT/RS RJT Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NH Posts: 370	Gasoline Factors That Matter The quality of gasoline and the additive package usually affect the rate of engine wear more than the octane rating. Basically what this means is that it matters more where you buy your gas than which grade you purchase. Regular Unleaded Gasoline The recommended gasoline for most cars is regular 87 octane. One common misconception is that higher octane gasoline contains more cleaning additives than lower octane gas. All octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against engine deposit build-up. In fact, using a gasoline with too high of an octane rating may cause damage to the emissions system. Mid-Grade Gasoline The octane ratings 'regular', 'mid-grade', and 'premium' are not consistent. In the United States, for example, one state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for premium gasoline, while another may allow an octane rating of 90 to be premium. Check the octane rating on the yellow sticker on the gas pump rather than relying on descriptive labels. Premium Gasoline Certain high performance engines benefit from use of high octane fuel. For other engines, using a fuel with a higher octane rating than the vehicle requires sends unburned fuel into the emissions system and catalytic converter. This puts unecessary stress on the emissions system. For some vehicles, a rotten egg smell coming from the tailpipe signals use of too-high octane gas. __________________

05-20-2010, 03:24 PM	#14
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,955	I've been using 91 since i bought it. actually, the dealer filled up the gas with 91 right before i picked her up. __________________

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