Gasoline octane for V-6

[scrming]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

All US engines cane handle 10% ethanol without any performance change. Ethanol generally comes from the US, too, so you'd be investing at least 10% of your fuel money at home. I don't know how you came to the conclusion that you're getting better fuel economy without ethanol, so I look forward to your scientific write-up.



Using the wrong fuel is bad for your engine. Don't do it. If your car says that regular is required, that means that regular is required. The word "required" implies that there is no better way to go. I can't understand why anyone would think that adding octane on a car not made for it could possibly be good. That's like driving in the oncoming traffic lane because it's also good for your car and your safety. It's not, and neither is using the wrong gas.

Ethanol has LESS energy in it and that is a FACT... You get less MPG with E85 due to this FACT... so why wouldn't you expect to get LESS gas mileage with 10% ethanol?

As far as the "wrong" fuel being bad for your engine... You are wrong there too.. For example the Mustang GT is sold as being able to run on 87 octane yet the Spanish oak computer is adaptive enough to take advantage of higher octane gas automatically, yet no where is this stated in the owners manual... I think some thing similar could be going on along those lines with the 2010 V6 Camaro... Like I said, I can see the knock sensors pulling timing especially when running 87 octane... I believe Vince at Trifecta noticed the same thing...

Also I don't have my manual in front of me but I bet it says a minimum of 87 is required... I'll have to check that when I get home..

[venice17517]

I am putting in 87 octane and I am getting 26.1mpg on a short trip.

[67 GTO]

Originally Posted by scrming

Ethanol has LESS energy in it and that is a FACT... You get less MPG with E85 due to this FACT... so why wouldn't you expect to get LESS gas mileage with 10% ethanol?

As far as the "wrong" fuel being bad for your engine... You are wrong there too.. For example the Mustang GT is sold as being able to run on 87 octane yet the Spanish oak computer is adaptive enough to take advantage of higher octane gas automatically, yet no where is this stated in the owners manual... I think some thing similar could be going on along those lines with the 2010 V6 Camaro... Like I said, I can see the knock sensors pulling timing especially when running 87 octane... I believe Vince at Trifecta noticed the same thing...

Also I don't have my manual in front of me but I bet it says a minimum of 87 is required... I'll have to check that when I get home..

The manual states "use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible"

[RustyHookz]

I appreciate all the input. But obviously no clear consensus of opinion. The 89 octane is working out so I think I'll probably stick with that. I'm sure premium fuel is unneccessary......

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by 67 GTO

The manual states "use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible"

Originally Posted by scrming

Ethanol has LESS energy in it and that is a FACT... You get less MPG with E85 due to this FACT... so why wouldn't you expect to get LESS gas mileage with 10% ethanol?

As far as the "wrong" fuel being bad for your engine... You are wrong there too.. For example the Mustang GT is sold as being able to run on 87 octane yet the Spanish oak computer is adaptive enough to take advantage of higher octane gas automatically, yet no where is this stated in the owners manual... I think some thing similar could be going on along those lines with the 2010 V6 Camaro... Like I said, I can see the knock sensors pulling timing especially when running 87 octane... I believe Vince at Trifecta noticed the same thing...

Also I don't have my manual in front of me but I bet it says a minimum of 87 is required... I'll have to check that when I get home..

I made no statement on whether E10 has more or less energy. I pointed out that it is homegrown. I also made the statement that your car is equipped to handle that nickel per gallon, which is sure to add up.

We're not talking about the Mustang GT. Just like the Camaro SS, I am fully aware that it can be calibrated to either octane level with changes to performance. There is, however, a recommended fuel for both. Use the recommended fuel for optimum performance. On the Camaro V6 models, regular fuel is required. This differs from a recommended fuel because the the word "required" indicates that you don't have a choice. The computer will not calibrate for the different fuel conditions as well on the V6 as it will the V8. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the DI feature, the different tune, knock, heat, a different computer altogether, or something I have not listed. Regardless of the reason, GM had one for indicating a required fuel as opposed to a recommended fuel.

You're welcome to use whatever you like. I'm sure if we drove 2 Camaro V6s in a lifelong test, yours with 93 and another with 87, the 87 would last longer. I don't have the funds to buy a Camaro for the sake of testing, but I'm sure any other V6 on the forum would suffice. The point of my post is not to argue with you but to advise Camaro5 members to use the right fuel so they can enjoy their Camaros as long as possible.

GM does this to protect itself from warranty claims by incompetent buyers. If you break your car by doing something clearly against the acceptable use of the car, GM does not have to handle your claim under warranty. The acceptable use of a Camaro requires that it is maintained by the buyer at the buyer's expense according to the manual. This means using the fuel, oil, and other fluids delineated in the manual.

[2ndgenz28]

Looks as if someone should read n heed his own sig, and quickly deleting your post and editing wasn't cool. [click last edit, then click compare versions.]

[The_Blur]

The post was edited for correctness. Your post has been reported. Read Camaro5's site rules, and please show respect on the forums.

[Icefsh]

Just wondering if the computer can sense the air density? Reason I ask is in Colorado the minimum octane is 85. Was told that at higher altitudes 85 equals 87 at lower altitude. I run both and can't tell much of a difference. Just really want to do what is best for my car. Thanks.

[2ndgenz28]

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

Do a MPG check and change no driving patterns.

report back

This is why I only posted that, debate will get no where fast without a real test. And such a test will be different for all as Icefsh post states.

As their are many many different blends of gas used in the US,
as in Icefsh post above, location can change that, along with laws of the said area.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Icefsh

Just wondering if the computer can sense the air density? Reason I ask is in Colorado the minimum octane is 85. Was told that at higher altitudes 85 equals 87 at lower altitude. I run both and can't tell much of a difference. Just really want to do what is best for my car. Thanks.

This is completely correct. At very high altitudes, you can use 85 in place of 87 and 91 in place of 93. Because someone is bound to request proof or save a picture of this post to prove that it was incomplete at one point, I'll post a link for verification.

I will also site this link to reiterate an earlier point. It states that the lowest available octane that is recommended by the manual is always the best for your engine. If you can't find it, please keep reading. Using a higher octane does not make your engine cleaner, faster, or better in any way. It makes your fuel more expensive and enhances the likelihood of knock. The only think you should knock is wood, so avoid putting higher octane than recommended or required in your engine.

[strobi]

Regular here in WY is 85 or 85.5 octane..but we are running at 4,000- 8,000 ft of elevation too. This lower octane works just fine...no knocks I do throw a bottle of injector cleaner in the tank about every other fill up though. If you guys ar so worried about octane get the lower octane and throw in a bottle of octane booster...you can get it at the dollars stores for a buck. I actually get worse mileage with the higher octane... because of less air..the higher octanes don't burn completely.

[67 GTO]

I've been using mid-grade (89) since I got the car only because I fear the 87 octane posted may be actually less than 87.

The manual clearly states you can use 87 or higher under the Recommended Fuel heading.

[2ndgenz28]

Originally Posted by 67 GTO

I've been using mid-grade (89) since I got the car only because I fear the 87 octane posted may be actually less than 87.

The manual clearly states you can use 87 or higher under the Recommended Fuel heading.

Actually I wonder how they make 85 like stated before, what is blended in to lower it. Now like different blends it can be made different. But straight from the local Sunoco plant here in Toledo, they stated right out the refinery tap it was almost 88. 87.6 or something.

Why they dropped the 86 here, once it got out to everyone that the 86 was just 87.

Dunno if they do it all over but Sunoco for a long time had 86 87 89 94 here

The 86 was always 1 penny cheaper.

But came right out of the same 87 tank.

It was a marketing ploy to get the cheap folks to buy more from them.
Once word got out, Sunoco dropped the 86 from all local station.

[ROD1]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Using the wrong fuel is bad for your engine. Don't do it. If your car says that regular is required, that means that regular is required. The word "required" implies that there is no better way to go. I can't understand why anyone would think that adding octane on a car not made for it could possibly be good. That's like driving in the oncoming traffic lane because it's also good for your car and your safety. It's not, and neither is using the wrong gas.

Huh?! Peeps are buying the V6 instead of the V8 do to economics. If they can alter the timing etc. on it to accept 87 then that is what they will market. Don't put so much faith in what they "say".