Running on REGULAR Gas
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Bowie MD
I've heard that the use of low grade fuel in high performance vehicles can reap havoc on the computer settings in today's high tech vehicles. I don't really takes chances. I may run medium grade when I am forced to, but for the most part, I'll use high grade just for the peace of mind. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Running on REGULAR Gas
Real Bad Idea....
Car is not designed to run on 87 octane, you will pay the price.... everytime your car goes into a load, you will get ping which will be compensated for with timing retard, this will cause poor gas mileage and performance. Not to say that if you continue doing this I can guarantee you will see a hole in one of your pistons down the road....
every ping puts your pistons at risk, and your crank bearings. The car wants to run with advanced timing, every time the car pings it goes into retarded timing,
You can run on regular gas in an emergency to get you home, but not as an everyday thing.
That's it I'm out of this thread.,... no discussion.
Car is not designed to run on 87 octane, you will pay the price.... everytime your car goes into a load, you will get ping which will be compensated for with timing retard, this will cause poor gas mileage and performance. Not to say that if you continue doing this I can guarantee you will see a hole in one of your pistons down the road....
every ping puts your pistons at risk, and your crank bearings. The car wants to run with advanced timing, every time the car pings it goes into retarded timing,
You can run on regular gas in an emergency to get you home, but not as an everyday thing.
That's it I'm out of this thread.,... no discussion.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Apr 20, 2006 at 05:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 38,655
Likes: 25
From: Bunnell FL
Originally Posted by StephenT
Your logic assumes you are getting the same MPG for the same conditions for the different octane ratings of gas, and that may not be true.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by bfhawki
It will not run near as well, no way. You might have better luck and performance running half of premiun and the middle grade. I'll stick to the higher octane personally. 
You might have better luck and performance running half of premiun and the middle grade. I'll stick to the higher octane personally. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
Real Bad Idea....
Car is not designed to run on 87 octane, you will pay the price.... everytime your car goes into a load, you will get ping which will be compensated for with timing retard, this will cause poor gas mileage and performance. Not to say that if you continue doing this I can guarantee you will see a hole in one of your pistons down the road....
every ping puts your pistons at risk, and your crank bearings. The car wants to run with advanced timing, every time the car pings it goes into retarded timing,
You can run on regular gas in an emergency to get you home, but not as an everyday thing.
That's it I'm out of this thread.,... no discussion.
Car is not designed to run on 87 octane, you will pay the price.... everytime your car goes into a load, you will get ping which will be compensated for with timing retard, this will cause poor gas mileage and performance. Not to say that if you continue doing this I can guarantee you will see a hole in one of your pistons down the road....
every ping puts your pistons at risk, and your crank bearings. The car wants to run with advanced timing, every time the car pings it goes into retarded timing,
You can run on regular gas in an emergency to get you home, but not as an everyday thing.
That's it I'm out of this thread.,... no discussion.
I've seen engines which have been subjected to unnecessary pinging. NOT pretty. Gas is not expensive enough to risk a $10k engine to save a few bucks.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, TN
I have never tried regular in my C5, but I have a friend who told me he has used nothing but regular gas in his C5 for two years. He is a car dealer who buys, drives and sells a lot of vehicles. He says that using regular has made no significant difference in the car except his gas bill is lower.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg Pa
For grins and giggles I tried mid-grade once, since the car has knock sensors, what the heck?
The only (major) difference I could feel was at WOT, the car would have reduced power and somewhat buck as the knock sensors were doing their best to retard the timing.
Otherwise, for around town driving there was no noticable difference.
The only (major) difference I could feel was at WOT, the car would have reduced power and somewhat buck as the knock sensors were doing their best to retard the timing.
Otherwise, for around town driving there was no noticable difference.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton Tx
I run on regular gas and have had no problems; the computer makes the adjustments needed. Ed Wallace, in Ft Worth, who is very respected car guy in the automotive industry and has a automotive talk show Saturdays on 570 KLIF at www.insideautomotive.com has questioned the value of running premium fuel in cars based on the failure of any refining company to accurately prove the added value in the higher octane fuel. When was the last time you saw a TV commercial for premium gas, it’s been years that’s because refining companies can’t prove the benefits. My $.02
ps, Exxon has to x's.
ps, Exxon has to x's.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,061
Likes: 266
From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
Originally Posted by dndrsn
Why don't you compromise and buy the one in the middle? Or at least buy a tank full of super once in a while and blow the soot out of it instead of ******* it around all the time trying to save a little gas.
You may not know about TOP TIER gasolines. They are produced to specs by 4 major car companies and contain much more in the way of detergents than non TOP TIER brands. Two major TOP TIER distributors are Chevron and Shell. The additives are the same in each grade, whether regular or premium, so blowing the soot out would make no sense if using these gasolines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Originally Posted by flyfisher
I run on regular gas and have had no problems; the computer makes the adjustments needed. Ed Wallace, in Ft Worth, who is very respected car guy in the automotive industry and has a automotive talk show Saturdays on 570 KLIF at www.insideautomotive.com has questioned the value of running premium fuel in cars based on the failure of any refining company to accurately prove the added value in the higher octane fuel. When was the last time you saw a TV commercial for premium gas, it’s been years that’s because refining companies can’t prove the benefits. My $.02
ps, Exxon has to x's.
ps, Exxon has to x's.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,788
Likes: 33
From: Out west in the mountains
Maybe it is a conspiracy between GM and the oil companies. Scare the Vette folks into using high octane fuel. More money for the oil companies. Maybe GM gets a kick back.
With the money trouble GM is in, who am I not to help out.
I'll keep buying high octane as long as GM keep making Vetts
With the money trouble GM is in, who am I not to help out.
I'll keep buying high octane as long as GM keep making Vetts
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful
Are you talking about detergent additives here that are causing soot ?
You may not know about TOP TIER gasolines. They are produced to specs by 4 major car companies and contain much more in the way of detergents than non TOP TIER brands. Two major TOP TIER distributors are Chevron and Shell. The additives are the same in each grade, whether regular or premium, so blowing the soot out would make no sense if using these gasolines.
You may not know about TOP TIER gasolines. They are produced to specs by 4 major car companies and contain much more in the way of detergents than non TOP TIER brands. Two major TOP TIER distributors are Chevron and Shell. The additives are the same in each grade, whether regular or premium, so blowing the soot out would make no sense if using these gasolines.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Port Charlotte FL
I would NEVER put regular in my car... I know of a few ppl that used to own gas stations up north, and a majority of ppl use regular so they put more emission contol products in the gas. However I think the additives change depenings on how strict your state is with emissions... Mid grade is a waste, it's just a mix of regular and premium which is actually done at the station. There isnt even much premium added, you would be supprized in the percentage!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 640
Likes: 7
From: Dow Illinois
Long story short, My motor has been rebuilt to run on 87, and with the new gears we are shooting for 11.3-11.5 NA on 87 octane. and Base 10s at about 135 on Nitrous with 93 octane. Its already ran 11.9 at 117 NA with stock gears, It has the 3.15s in it now, with 29inch rear tires. I cant wait for the 3.90s to go in. Itll be a huge difference, along with getting rid of these Nittos and going with a good cheater slick.