using regualar fuel

binko · 11-01-2013, 05:27 PM

I noticed on the C7 fuel filler door that it says "premium fuel recommended".
I take that to mean that for max performance you need premium. If one plans to drive cross country where you just keep up with traffic and do not plan to drive aggressively that regular will be OK at the cost of some performance.
Does anyone know if GM accepts this?

Stingray · 11-01-2013, 05:35 PM

Someone asked Harlan and John the same question and they both said it is okay for temporary use but it's still best to stick with Premium/Suoer Unleaded... 91 octane or higher.

killascrimp · 11-01-2013, 05:36 PM

I would not put 87 in,but if you put midgrade I don't think too much could happen, maybe some nocking possibly. Its not worth the 3.00$ saving in my book....

ec1990 · 11-01-2013, 05:47 PM

I wouldn't do it unless it was required, the car probably pulls timing automatically when it senses octane change but why even risk it.

Bolt-onC6 · 11-02-2013, 08:43 AM

With todays computers with all the safety programming and knock sensors I doubt any car would be damaged from regular fuel. The factories have to program for less octane due to fraud from some service stations. I got regular one time from a station from the 93 octane pump. How do I know? I have HP Tuner and I immediately got up to 8* of retard at WOT. Service stations can make more money if they sell 87 octane for the 93 price. And you don't always get a gallon when you buy a gallon. Another way of stations have of making more money.

TheCaptain · 11-02-2013, 09:48 AM

I always love people who buy a car with a Premium Required engine, and then want to skimp the $3-$6 per fuel stop on 87 over 91/93 octane.

binko · 11-02-2013, 10:37 AM

It's not necessarily skimping at the pump. A gallon of regular fuel has approximately 125,000 BTUs of energy in it while premium has approximately 105,000. If the car will run on regular without having to retard the timing far enough to affect mileage, you should get better MPGs on the regular fuel while also yielding less pollutants into the air.
The Oil companies love to sell premium since there is near-windfall profit vs regular.
Corvette owners can be green as well.
Since it appears that the average age of us owners is near 60 (that scares the heck out of GM) chances are we are using our cars more as a daily driver rather than drag racing or the track.

11-01-2013, 05:27 PM	#1
binko Drives: Honda Accord Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Flanders, NJ Posts: 114	using regualar fuel I noticed on the C7 fuel filler door that it says "premium fuel recommended". I take that to mean that for max performance you need premium. If one plans to drive cross country where you just keep up with traffic and do not plan to drive aggressively that regular will be OK at the cost of some performance. Does anyone know if GM accepts this?

11-01-2013, 05:47 PM	#4
ec1990 Drives: 2012 AGM SS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,407	I wouldn't do it unless it was required, the car probably pulls timing automatically when it senses octane change but why even risk it. __________________ Check out my blog for product reviews on detailing products!

11-02-2013, 09:48 AM	#6
TheCaptain N7 Spectre Drives: 14 ATS Performance 3.6L AWD Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 2,732 View My Garage	I always love people who buy a car with a Premium Required engine, and then want to skimp the $3-$6 per fuel stop on 87 over 91/93 octane. __________________

11-01-2013, 05:35 PM	#2
Stingray just can't get enough Drives: a bunch of fast toys... Join Date: May 2012 Location: SoFla Posts: 3,598 View My Garage	Someone asked Harlan and John the same question and they both said it is okay for temporary use but it's still best to stick with Premium/Suoer Unleaded... 91 octane or higher.

11-01-2013, 05:36 PM	#3
killascrimp Drives: 14 z51 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Panama City beach Posts: 102	I would not put 87 in,but if you put midgrade I don't think too much could happen, maybe some nocking possibly. Its not worth the 3.00$ saving in my book....

11-02-2013, 08:43 AM	#5
Bolt-onC6 Drives: 2017 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 258	With todays computers with all the safety programming and knock sensors I doubt any car would be damaged from regular fuel. The factories have to program for less octane due to fraud from some service stations. I got regular one time from a station from the 93 octane pump. How do I know? I have HP Tuner and I immediately got up to 8* of retard at WOT. Service stations can make more money if they sell 87 octane for the 93 price. And you don't always get a gallon when you buy a gallon. Another way of stations have of making more money.

11-02-2013, 10:37 AM	#7
binko Drives: Honda Accord Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Flanders, NJ Posts: 114	It's not necessarily skimping at the pump. A gallon of regular fuel has approximately 125,000 BTUs of energy in it while premium has approximately 105,000. If the car will run on regular without having to retard the timing far enough to affect mileage, you should get better MPGs on the regular fuel while also yielding less pollutants into the air. The Oil companies love to sell premium since there is near-windfall profit vs regular. Corvette owners can be green as well. Since it appears that the average age of us owners is near 60 (that scares the heck out of GM) chances are we are using our cars more as a daily driver rather than drag racing or the track.