Premium fuel
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Premium fuel
I am leaving on 8000 mile around the USA trip next week. I researched availability of premium fuel along my route. Vast stretches of state highways through Utah and Wyoming have no premium fuel available. I am concerned due to the extreme elevation climbs I will make across great divide and in Yellowstone park. I'm sure the car has knock sensor but if I use regular fuel and keep my foot out of it will I be OK? Would anyone recommend an octane booster to take along with me and would that help?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 11
Car tuned for 91 so even cruising might knock some. A Lil knock not end of the world since it pulls timing but I wouldn't chance it.
Get case of Torco Accelerator .. dyno proven to raise octane. I use it. They have a chart to show how much to add to make what octane.
http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/torco.html
Get case of Torco Accelerator .. dyno proven to raise octane. I use it. They have a chart to show how much to add to make what octane.
http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/torco.html
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 63
premium fuel
I know people who never use premium in the vettes and claim they have no problems. I think the computer can sense the fuel and retard the spark to avoid a ping. You won't get top power but no damage to the engine.
I would be more concerned about using top tier gas. you may not find that either. I would take along a can of the GM cleaner and pop it in the tank about halfway.
I would be more concerned about using top tier gas. you may not find that either. I would take along a can of the GM cleaner and pop it in the tank about halfway.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,321
Likes: 3,920
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
Living in that part of the country I've never had a problem finding premium. I don't believe you'll find "vast stretches" of highway out here with no premium fuel. Premium here is generally 91 octane, not 93, because of the altitude.
You should have no problem finding premium fuel on your trip.
You should have no problem finding premium fuel on your trip.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
In the same boat with you. In the middle of Nebraska on our way back to Seattle, and had trouble finding 91 octane yesterday. According to the delivery associate at the Museum, it will run on 89 OK, but may have trouble with 87, even to the point of not starting. I have not tested that, and will do my best not to. So far, I have been able to find 91 or better. The Cenex here in this little town had 91. Conoco has it as well. Top tier stations are not in the smaller towns way off the interstates, as far as I can see. Along the main interstates there were top tier stations, at least so far.
Hope that this helps!
Cheers,
Chris
Hope that this helps!
Cheers,
Chris
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Purchase the highest octane you can find. Remember, when your are in an area that is thousands of feet above sea level your car doesn't need 93 octane. Example; Denver Colorado is five thousand feet above sea level, you will not be able to find anything above 91 octane.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 11
I know people who never use premium in the vettes and claim they have no problems. I think the computer can sense the fuel and retard the spark to avoid a ping. You won't get top power but no damage to the engine.
I would be more concerned about using top tier gas. you may not find that either. I would take along a can of the GM cleaner and pop it in the tank about halfway.
I would be more concerned about using top tier gas. you may not find that either. I would take along a can of the GM cleaner and pop it in the tank about halfway.
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
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 10,785
Likes: 199
Label on the inside of your fuel door says 'Premium Fuel Recommended'. Owner's manual says 'Premium Fuel Required'. I don't think even GM knows what's best. Run top tier gas when you can get it. I believe the engine management is good enough to prevent damage.
I ran 87 most of the time in my C6 and could tell no difference in anything. I'll bet the C7 will be the same. Paranoia is rampant.
I ran 87 most of the time in my C6 and could tell no difference in anything. I'll bet the C7 will be the same. Paranoia is rampant.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
The ECU will protect the engine if you run lower than 91-octane fuels (91+ is recommended). I wouldn't beat the hell out of it on 87-octane, but just use common sense. Hell, cruising down the highway you might even see a slight uptick in fuel mileage with the lower octane stuff 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
The knock sensor will protect the engine, unless you are near full throttle a lot of the time.
Michael
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 311
From: Gainesville, Ga
I'd be nervous about driving it that far and the availability of "Premium" fuel. So, in order to be a trooper I'll lend you my wife's Prius to use and you can just leave the Vete with me while you're away. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Label on the inside of your fuel door says 'Premium Fuel Recommended'. Owner's manual says 'Premium Fuel Required'. I don't think even GM knows what's best. Run top tier gas when you can get it. I believe the engine management is good enough to prevent damage.
I ran 87 most of the time in my C6 and could tell no difference in anything. I'll bet the C7 will be the same. Paranoia is rampant.
I ran 87 most of the time in my C6 and could tell no difference in anything. I'll bet the C7 will be the same. Paranoia is rampant.
If you had run a 1/4 mile or lapped a road course, using 91 or 93, then emptied the tank, filled it with 87, and repeated, you would see a difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 25
From: Simi Valley Ca
Use what you can get. At highway speeds and low RPM's on a trip of that length, I'd probably opt to run lower octane fuel myself or at least alternate between 87 and 91. As long as you are not running at high RPM's you car should be fine on 87.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 10,785
Likes: 199
No way you would know the difference, as your C6 spent it's life using the low-octane timing maps. You probably never experienced the performance of the engine on the normal timing map.
If you had run a 1/4 mile or lapped a road course, using 91 or 93, then emptied the tank, filled it with 87, and repeated, you would see a difference.
If you had run a 1/4 mile or lapped a road course, using 91 or 93, then emptied the tank, filled it with 87, and repeated, you would see a difference.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Casper Wyoming
Wyoming
Living in that part of the country I've never had a problem finding premium. I don't believe you'll find "vast stretches" of highway out here with no premium fuel. Premium here is generally 91 octane, not 93, because of the altitude.
You should have no problem finding premium fuel on your trip.
You should have no problem finding premium fuel on your trip.
We have 91 octane everywhere in Wyoming too!! dpb
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
If the knock sensors trigger significantly, the ECM will revert to the lower timing table and you will lose some performance at WOT. To prevent this, it's best to use 91 - 93 octane fuel. Fuel detonation or ping can occur at low, mid or high rpms. Many factors contribute: load, temps, IAT's, fuel, timing, A/F ratio, between shifts, tip in (accelerator), etc.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; May 2, 2014 at 07:19 PM.
