Octane Boost... Is it safe?
#16
Lexus Test Driver
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Originally posted by lex400sc
Octane rating is merely the rating of gasoline to resist engine knock. Lexuses are MADE to run on premium gas (91 in CA). Don't be a hceapo and use 87 just to save $2. It's not worth it in the long run. On the other end of the spectrum, higher octane doesn't "improve performance". Sunoco 120 will only benefit an engine built and tuned for 120 octane. The reason you find higher octane in better (more powerful) cars is because they usually have higher compression and require a higher grade to prevent pinging. 91.
Octane rating is merely the rating of gasoline to resist engine knock. Lexuses are MADE to run on premium gas (91 in CA). Don't be a hceapo and use 87 just to save $2. It's not worth it in the long run. On the other end of the spectrum, higher octane doesn't "improve performance". Sunoco 120 will only benefit an engine built and tuned for 120 octane. The reason you find higher octane in better (more powerful) cars is because they usually have higher compression and require a higher grade to prevent pinging. 91.
Another thing to keep in mind - did you know that the higher the octane, the less flammable the gas becomes? Pinging is another term for detonation. If a car pings or detonates on an 87 grade but did not on a 91 grade, what does that tell you? Therefore, you do not want to put a fuel in your tank that would tend to hamper combustion due to its flamability characteristics. Use what the owner's manual recommends.
In fact, one of the tricks in passing a smog check for an older vehicle is to use a regular unleaded fuel even if the car calls for premium. Since the fuel is "more flammable", you burn more of it in a combustion cycle and exhaust less unburned gasoline which means lower HC emissions.
#17
Lexus Test Driver
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I know that some octane boosters contain lead in them which can cause damage your catalytic converter. So when you need to get a smog check, your car might not pass. Just my 2 cents.
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