octane rating
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I do run 93 in mine BUT it is not necessary. Regular will work just fine. You may have slightly lower HP but it won't hurt anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,437
Likes: 4
From: Bucks Co. / outside Philadelphia PA
Also sorry you do not realize that it is pertinent to your question. Sorry too that you did not answer where you are at.
If you are in a warm climate AND you drive spirited THEN yes it does matter as your engine will pull timing to make up for the crap gas. It can only pull so much however and you would risk detonation.
If you live where it is cooler and drive like an old woman and never put the engine under load, then have at it with the cheap gas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Sorry to be 'the one'
Also sorry you do not realize that it is pertinent to your question. Sorry too that you did not answer where you are at.
If you are in a warm climate AND you drive spirited THEN yes it does matter as your engine will pull timing to make up for the crap gas. It can only pull so much however and you would risk detonation.
If you live where it is cooler and drive like an old woman and never put the engine under load, then have at it with the cheap gas.
Also sorry you do not realize that it is pertinent to your question. Sorry too that you did not answer where you are at.
If you are in a warm climate AND you drive spirited THEN yes it does matter as your engine will pull timing to make up for the crap gas. It can only pull so much however and you would risk detonation.
If you live where it is cooler and drive like an old woman and never put the engine under load, then have at it with the cheap gas.
I don't think he was being an A$$. He asked questions that need to be answered so he can give you the answer to your question. People on here are really soft skinned.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
93 octane is the recommended fuel. You should only run regular if the higher octane is not available. On regular you will lose power and your engine may knock in which case the knock sensor should detect it, if it doesn't then you could damage your motor. Do a search, many threads on this. There is also info in the owners manual.
Last edited by goatts; Mar 20, 2011 at 08:32 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Actually believe only the ZO6 LS7 recommend's 93 octane for maximum power, with the the LS-2, 3 engine's being a point or two lower. You can run all of these on 87 octane in a pinch taking it easy, but not intended as a steady diet. If looking for a way to save maybe $1.50 per filll up with 87, what's the point of owning a Vette', and with the dialed back timing, mpg's going to drop down anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,284
Likes: 1
From: Whitehall Pa.
If they recommend 93 I use it. You are not saving alot of money by going to the lower octane. If it was a Ford Focus I wouldn't care but unless you driving many miles daily really what is your savings. On a fill up it might be a couple of bucks. That's like when I'm tanking up and there's a well healed Jaguar owner with a 12 cyl. car pumping in 87 octane.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo CA
Here is right from the owners manual:
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code W), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You
can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, but the vehicle's acceleration
could be slightly reduced, and a
slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the octane
is less than 87, a heavy knocking
noise might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could
damage the engine. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code T) or the 7.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code E), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. For
best performance, use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 93. In an
emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane
fuel is used, do not perform any
aggressive driving maneuvers such
as wide open throttle applications.
You might also hear audible spark
knock during acceleration. Refill the
tank with premium fuel as soon as
possible to avoid damaging the
engine. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
As already stated, if you use lower octane fuel the computer compensates and gives you less horsepower and LESS MPG. You will have to decide if it is worth it.
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code W), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You
can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, but the vehicle's acceleration
could be slightly reduced, and a
slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the octane
is less than 87, a heavy knocking
noise might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could
damage the engine. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code T) or the 7.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code E), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. For
best performance, use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 93. In an
emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane
fuel is used, do not perform any
aggressive driving maneuvers such
as wide open throttle applications.
You might also hear audible spark
knock during acceleration. Refill the
tank with premium fuel as soon as
possible to avoid damaging the
engine. If heavy knocking is heard
when using gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
As already stated, if you use lower octane fuel the computer compensates and gives you less horsepower and LESS MPG. You will have to decide if it is worth it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 9
From: Citrus Heights CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 692
Likes: 4
From: PA
$0.20 per gallon savings, 15 gallon fill ups, $3 saved per fill up. If you fill up once a week then you'll save yourself about $12 next month.
If you drive a lot and fill up every other weekday then you'll save about $30 a month. If you are worried about $30 a month, why are you driving a c6?
If you drive a lot and fill up every other weekday then you'll save about $30 a month. If you are worried about $30 a month, why are you driving a c6?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11