Octane?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 76
From: Great River NY
It will run best with 91(or higher) octane. Lower octane won't hurt it, but performance will be somewhat diminished since the computer will retard the timing to prevent knock. A Z06, however, requires at least 91 octane.
I think the owner's manual explains it pretty clearly.
I think the owner's manual explains it pretty clearly.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Arizona Territory
The ECM has a high octane and low octane timing table that it references. If you get enough knock the car will switch to the low octane table to protect the engine.
It's best to use 91 or 93 depending on what's available for best performance and to keep the ECM from constantly having to pull timing to protect. However, the car WILL adjust to 85 or 87 but you'll probably see timing being pulled even at less than WOT. Also you'll be relying solely on the knock sensors to protect your pistons from getting holes burned in them.
That is mostly sea level to probably 4,500ft advice. At higher elevations you can get away with lower octane due to the density altitude and oxygen levels or something. Its why you'll find 85 octane in places like Colorado.
It's best to use 91 or 93 depending on what's available for best performance and to keep the ECM from constantly having to pull timing to protect. However, the car WILL adjust to 85 or 87 but you'll probably see timing being pulled even at less than WOT. Also you'll be relying solely on the knock sensors to protect your pistons from getting holes burned in them.
That is mostly sea level to probably 4,500ft advice. At higher elevations you can get away with lower octane due to the density altitude and oxygen levels or something. Its why you'll find 85 octane in places like Colorado.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The ECM has a high octane and low octane timing table that it references. If you get enough knock the car will switch to the low octane table to protect the engine.
It's best to use 91 or 93 depending on what's available for best performance and to keep the ECM from constantly having to pull timing to protect. However, the car WILL adjust to 85 or 87 but you'll probably see timing being pulled even at less than WOT. Also you'll be relying solely on the knock sensors to protect your pistons from getting holes burned in them.
That is mostly sea level to probably 4,500ft advice. At higher elevations you can get away with lower octane due to the density altitude and oxygen levels or something. Its why you'll find 85 octane in places like Colorado.
It's best to use 91 or 93 depending on what's available for best performance and to keep the ECM from constantly having to pull timing to protect. However, the car WILL adjust to 85 or 87 but you'll probably see timing being pulled even at less than WOT. Also you'll be relying solely on the knock sensors to protect your pistons from getting holes burned in them.
That is mostly sea level to probably 4,500ft advice. At higher elevations you can get away with lower octane due to the density altitude and oxygen levels or something. Its why you'll find 85 octane in places like Colorado.
Also, you will get less mpg with regular and so the cost savings is less than it seems.
Top Tier brands, regardless of octane, keep your engine cleaner inside, some people don't seem to care but I do.
So I use Top Tier premium. Most of the majors are top tier, but not all. Google is your friend!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,272
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
It will run best with 91(or higher) octane. Lower octane won't hurt it, but performance will be somewhat diminished since the computer will retard the timing to prevent knock. A Z06, however, requires at least 91 octane.
I think the owner's manual explains it pretty clearly.
I think the owner's manual explains it pretty clearly.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Arizona Territory
Sounds stupid probably, but besides what ever GM first put in, my car has only ever seen Chevron 91. Daily driver too. I didn't even let the dealer fill the tank when I bought it because I didn't want some lot boy rowing gears and putting budget station 87 in.
The things we do for our cars......
The things we do for our cars......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 24
From: NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 24
From: NJ