For all the V6 owners buying a lower grade octane, you are not saving much!

[nyrfan]

The octane question has come up so many times, should I use 87 over xx? I’ve posted the below calculation in a couple of treads but thought it should have it's own thread to highlight the actual savings of buy lower octane gas.

It’s a documented fact that when using a lower grade octane, the car pulls timing. It’s also a fact that higher octane gas tends to give better gas mileage, this is not just on the Camaro but all cars. I can also 100% say I felt a big difference the 2 weeks I tried to use 87 octane, it was very noticeable. Obviously I quickly switched back!

Maybe you have a specific reason to use a lower grade octane and that’s great. But if you are doing if for monetary reasons (other then you just cannot afford it), I think you’d be surprised at what you are actually saving against the performance gains you will get using a better octane.

Here is the breakdown:
15,000 miles a year (Based on the National Avg.)
20 MPG average (am I am going low here, the avg should be a bit higher)
=750 gallons a year
+ .30 difference from 87 -> 93 octane
750*.30 = $225 a year ($204.54 a year if you calculate 2MPG higher for the better octane).

So really, is your car not worth $225 a year more for better gas, especially when is DOES help the Camaro run and respond better!

[baup5f]

I figured since I can afford to drive a car like this, I can afford to spend the few extra cents a gallon for premium.

[cab2g]

I thought the timing was only pulled for the V8 engines that require premium fuel??? And the V6's timing table is for 87 only?

[jtzako]

The V6 should not be pulling timing since it is designed to use 87 octane. It will not benefit from higher octane gas either.

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by jtzako

The V6 should not be pulling timing since it is designed to use 87 octane. It will not benefit from higher octane gas either.

From what has been documented here, it does pull timing. Regardless of that, I can tell you the car preforms better with a higher octane and does get better gas milage.

Also, it was designed to use 87 or higher octane.

[Berean]

I drive my car less than 3k miles a year. I use 93. Why not?

[CamaroKid300]

I think this is going to be a continued issue.

I don't see why timing would be pulled when the car was designed to run off 87.

I think I'm going to run a tank of 93 through and see if I actually notice something.

[ny27la]

For me it's whatever I can afford to put in it. I never used 87 only 89 but many have said that the car performs the same with 87 and there is no difference. So it's whatever.

[jtzako]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

From what has been documented here, it does pull timing. Regardless of that, I can tell you the car preforms better with a higher octane and does get better gas milage.

Also, it was designed to use 87 or better octane.

Do you have a link to where this has been 'documented' ? It doesnt make sense for a car to pull timing using the gas it is designed to use.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by jtzako

Do you have a link to where this has been 'documented' ? It doesnt make sense for a car to pull timing using the gas it is designed to use.

Look in the manual ...

If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code V), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher.

I've tried both and can't really notice a difference, so I just run 87 ...

[jtzako]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Look in the manual ...

If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code V), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher.

That isnt telling us that it pulls timing for using 87 vs 89 or 91 etc. All it says is you can put any gas higher than 87 octane in the car.

The SS is rated for 91 or higher, it doesnt pull timing at 91 vs using 100. It only pulls timing if you go below its rated 91.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by jtzako

That isnt telling us that it pulls timing for using 87 vs 89 or 91 etc. All it says is you can put any gas higher than 87 octane in the car.

The SS is rated for 91 or higher, it doesnt pull timing at 91 vs using 100. It only pulls timing if you go below its rated 91.

Look in the V6 section, Scrming data logged it on his car and did a whole write up.

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

I think this is going to be a continued issue.

I don't see why timing would be pulled when the car was designed to run off 87.

I think I'm going to run a tank of 93 through and see if I actually notice something.

Give it 2 tank fulls (if you don't mind), also be sure to track you MPG's.

[mydreamcar]

Originally Posted by Berean

I drive my car less than 3k miles a year. I use 93. Why not?

yep only do 4-5k a year as its not my daily driver so i have always used premium for the most part