V6 on 87 octane

[SPARTAN sui]

So would unleaded plus (89 octane) make a noticeable difference in my car?

[IrocJack]

If I use airplane fuel will it fly?

[SeriouslySinning]

Ok so after reading all this yesterday I filled up with 93 (instead of 87). After about a hundred miles I have noticed about 2 mpg increase and smoother acceleration response. I drive the same way to work everyday in and out of traffic. My drive is very predictable so I think I will be filling up with premium from now on.

V6 LFX, K&N CAI

[TooCool5]

Originally Posted by jrisebo

One of what threads? Its just a observation I made with my car. I suppose that its a V6 V8 thing in your mind. Thanks for not commenting anymore.

Some say 93 causes the V6 to run rich, I don't know I have never put it in.
While premium in an OLD SCHOOL high compression engine was the norm,
Direct injection goes directly into the cylinder head thus cooling it down
eliminating knock or ping.
I pride myself in running 87, getting 34 MPG HWY, and have shiny super clean
exhaust tips.
Throttle response like no other V6 I have ever driven!

[Thunderhexed]

I bought my 2013 2LS in feb this year and was using just reg (no ethanol) - noticed the car seemed sluggish and was making a gurgling/griding/dieseling noise when I would accelerate, so I decided to start running premium no-ethanol and I can def tell a pretty noticable difference. The gurgling is gone, it seems a tad more responsive, engine seems to idle more quietly and I'm not having to fill up as often.

[TooCool5]

Originally Posted by Thunderhexed

I bought my 2013 2LS in feb this year and was using just reg (no ethanol) - noticed the car seemed sluggish and was making a gurgling/griding/dieseling noise when I would accelerate, so I decided to start running premium no-ethanol and I can def tell a pretty noticable difference. The gurgling is gone, it seems a tad more responsive, engine seems to idle more quietly and I'm not having to fill up as often.

There you go... its whatever works for you.

[SC2150]

Originally Posted by TooCool5

Some say 93 causes the V6 to run rich, I don't know I have never put it in.
While premium in an OLD SCHOOL high compression engine was the norm,
Direct injection goes directly into the cylinder head thus cooling it down
eliminating knock or ping.
I pride myself in running 87, getting 34 MPG HWY, and have shiny super clean
exhaust tips.
Throttle response like no other V6 I have ever driven!

Then thats what you should run.....you have a good runing car your happy with, so there should be no debate as far as your concerned. But, facts are facts:

Direct injection has more advantages than just the cooling. That is a minor advantage. There is still detonation or we would not see it in logging these cars, but it allows higher CR with LESS detonation as the fuel is introduced in the final 2030% of the compression stroke so it is in the combustion chamber for a fraction of the time a traditonal carburated or port injection system that draws in the fuel air mixture on the intake stroke so it greatly reduces the incidence of detonation, but it is still there most definately. I'm not here to convince you of anything as you have shown yours is just how you want it. My contributions are for those that want to learn more and have the car run the best it can...and premium or regular has no effect on the exhaust tips, that is how rich or lean the engine runs and how effective the cats are.

[benji1997]

I am skeptical about 93 doing anything for my 2LT. But this morning I took my 2 gallons left tank to Shell and filled it to the brim with their super duper 93. I will experiment with maybe three full tanks of the 93. So far, as of last night my dash gage read 20.4 mpg. I went on a 60 mile ride this afternoon (50 of which was I-195) and currently it is holding at 24.2. I will report back when I have gone through 3 full tanks. It's a good thing I can use my Stop and Shop rewards card at Shell. Incidentally I reset the mpg gage at the start of my trip today.

[benji1997]

Drove about 100 miles today (70/30 breakdown hw to city) and the mpg now sits on 23.4 so it dropped by about 1 mpg since the previous post. I will continue thr 3 full tankfulls of 93 octane to see if there is any negligible difference from using 87.

[benji1997]

Just drove about 15 miles around town mostly and now down to 22.6.

[Mvp_Me]

I just emptied my tank of 87 and filled up with 93 at shell today and there is a noticeable difference. driving through the city shifts a as smooth as butter and the car runs smother. on my way home i got 36.7mpg going 55-60mph and when i was using 87 at best it was 26-27mpg. i only did two wot pull and the car felt stronger with more torque but you have to think about it, its not "more" hp its just the engine performing at its best or full potential. all in all i say its worth it and if i dont use 93 the lowest ill go to is 91.
if you are a die hard 87 user, stay that way its your car but to me its worth it because you get the full performance of the car over all with better fuel efficiency. as for you auto trans guys i dont know if you'll feel the difference off the line and much as the people with manuals, but truth be told though, im not going to sit here and say 93 or go home im just stating facts from my prospective. ill say this, if you don't drive your car hard any gas will work just fine but if you have a tune with bolt-ons and do spirited driving, i recommend 93 for sure.

Hope This Helps

[SeriouslySinning]

How are you guys getting into the 30s? lol im low twenties at best

[jrisebo]

Originally Posted by SeriouslySinning

How are you guys getting into the 30s? lol im low twenties at best

V6, flat roads, 60-65 MPH cruise control I can avg above 30mpg. Soon as i hit a few hills, city driving, it drops.

A trip from Tn to OH, hills, traffic, some 80 mph driving, about 25 mpg.

[benji1997]

Originally Posted by SeriouslySinning

How are you guys getting into the 30s? lol im low twenties at best

Same here. And I don't have a lead foot.