Premium fuel
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: Kingston Ontario
Premium fuel
I have a C6 base model that calls for premium fuel. I'm taken a trip were there are very few gas stations that have premium fuel. If I don't accelerate hard and have no pinging, will it be safe to use regular gas?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
You can buy Lucas fuel injector cleaner/octane booster and add a couple ounces every time you fill. Higher octane is basically more additives that reduces the harsh explosion in pure gasoline.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
But yes, if you are stock, you can definitely run 87 and it will be fine. The computer will compensate.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 660
From: Iowa
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 236
From: Oshawa Ontario
When I was ~20 and broke because all of my money was being spent on payments & insurance for my '02 Z28 (LS1), I often ran 87 octane for just cruising / commuting. Esp. in cooler months when the colder fuel is moderately more resistant to ignition than when it's hot summer weather. I could definitely hear the engine knock/ping at various loads/RPM's though, so the knock sensors were absolutely being put to work. As time went on and I could afford to consistently run 91 or better, then I did. When I retired that car with ~150,000kms (~93,000 miles), it ran like a top, made great power, and didn't burn oil. I abused the hell out of it, at the 1/4 mile and at the road courses in Ontario.
So yeah, a road trip with your LS2 or LS3, running 87 on occasion, as long as you're not pushing it, won't hurt the engine. I wouldn't recommend taking a car to the track and testing the knock sensors out in that manner, but for gentle street cruising, they can generally keep up.
But with the long-distance range these cars have while highway cruising, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a station with 91 somewhere along your travels. I took my 2010 on a trip to the east coast (~5k round trip) and never had to run 87.
So yeah, a road trip with your LS2 or LS3, running 87 on occasion, as long as you're not pushing it, won't hurt the engine. I wouldn't recommend taking a car to the track and testing the knock sensors out in that manner, but for gentle street cruising, they can generally keep up.
But with the long-distance range these cars have while highway cruising, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a station with 91 somewhere along your travels. I took my 2010 on a trip to the east coast (~5k round trip) and never had to run 87.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 916
From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
for a long gentle cruise, I'd be more aware of lugging the car at low rpm in 6th, but you can always carry a can of this and add if you can't find 91.https://perryautolaval.com/collectio...octane-booster
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: Kingston Ontario
FYI to all. I just drove over 6000 Km using regular gas on my trip, northern Ontario. I did a lot of passing with very little trouble. When I got back home I filled up with premium gas, what a hell of difference. I feel totally confidence in using regular gas in certain situations as the computer totaling looks after everything .
This car is totally a pleasure to drive.
This car is totally a pleasure to drive.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
FYI to all. I just drove over 6000 Km using regular gas on my trip, northern Ontario. I did a lot of passing with very little trouble. When I got back home I filled up with premium gas, what a hell of difference. I feel totally confidence in using regular gas in certain situations as the computer totaling looks after everything .
This car is totally a pleasure to drive.
This car is totally a pleasure to drive.
How was the fuel mileage when using cheap gas ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 319
From: Shelbyville Kentucky
Octane is the measure of a fuels resistance to ignition. High compression engines need octane to prevent pre-ignition aka knock. Octane is not a measure of a fuels energy content.
Octane gets associated with mo-power due to it being used in conjunction with high compression. The compression is where the mo-power comes from by making the engine more efficient.
Octane gets associated with mo-power due to it being used in conjunction with high compression. The compression is where the mo-power comes from by making the engine more efficient.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 952
Likes: 100
From: Lehigh Valley PA
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
[QUOTE=Spaceme1117;1605317918]Not true. Many areas in states on the left coast (Pacific Ocean, not the other left coast, Atlantic Ocean), will only have 90 or 91 octane available. I think I recall seeing a few years ago 85 octane at some gas stations there as well.
Not trying to start trouble, this is one person's opinion. I live in PA, hills all over the place, I'd like to hear more opinions. Would it "ping" with lower octane ( cheaper) gas and loose power?
Not trying to start trouble, this is one person's opinion. I live in PA, hills all over the place, I'd like to hear more opinions. Would it "ping" with lower octane ( cheaper) gas and loose power?
