Gas Shortage in ATL - Can I run Reg vs Premium?

mthomas58 · 09-24-2008, 03:09 PM

There has been no Premium available in Atlanta this week. Stations are only getting Regular, not even mid grade.

Any problem running a tank or two of regular if I have to until supply is available?

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

I always run regular (.)

E-man930 · 09-24-2008, 04:43 PM

mix in a bottle of lucas octane booster and you should be ok...

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Just keep your foot out of it on regular. That is hard to do in a 911.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Find some AV gas and mix it in. Go to the nearest small airport and see what they put in the two seaters.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by crustychief

I always run regular (.)

Same here for almost 25 years. Nothing by 87 octane in my SC; no difference in performance. I'm not sure if a Carrera will perform different with lower octane. If 87 was all they have, I'd try a little to see how it runs. You can always blend in the premium once it's in stock again. I don't think there would be any damage. The worse case you'd just park it until the premium returns; same as if you don't have any in the first place.

tdatk · 05:48 PM

Your car was designed to run on 87 octane (91 RON) . Unless you are running a chip or high compression heads.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

A 79 can run on 87 octane. It should not be used in an 87. Try the octane boost. If you start hearing pinging stop running it.

RF5BPilot · 09-25-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Find some AV gas and mix it in. Go to the nearest small airport and see what they put in the two seaters.

Note that "AV gas" is "100LL" -- 100 octane "low lead" -- which (despite its name) contains high amounts of lead. If you want to destroy your catalytic converter as well as muck up your engine over time, 100LL is a great way to do it.

db_cooper · db_cooper's Garage

I have the same issue here in Atlanta. Use the site www.gasbuddy.com and find the map, select "premium" then "last four hours". Report will come up as to who has high test fuel and where it is. You would be surprised. Just tanked up my 911 3.2 over on Moreland Ave. No line. Amoco too!

84_Carrera · 09-25-2008, 06:56 AM

Check into the fuel setting switch on the DME. There's a way to retard timing for poor grade fuel, not sure how that works if you have a chip. If that helps you out, then switch it back when all's well again.

3.2 CAB · 09-25-2008, 08:15 AM

I find something very strange about the gas problems that some areas are having. Here in South Mississippi, reg gas went down to $3.16 yesterday, now today is has dropped to $3.04 what the hell is up with that??????

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.2 CAB

I find something very strange about the gas problems that some areas are having. Here in South Mississippi, reg gas went down to $3.16 yesterday, now today is has dropped to $3.04 what the hell is up with that??????

I have a feeling the entire price jump to 4 bucks a gallon was just to get us all used to saying "wow gas is only $3.04 per gallon!" Just a year ago that was the price we were all screaming about.

gtihop · gtihop's Garage

$3.04 a gallon. I wish. Try $6.50 a gallon for reg here in Canada!

boxster03 · 05:28 PM

Quote:

There has been no Premium available in Atlanta this week. Stations are only getting Regular, not even mid grade

And your not bothered by this in the least

What country is this

Bahhhhhhhh Bahhhhhhhh

Are we not men

Maybe a $trillion loan to WB and GS will help you sleep at night

Ouch this is going to hurt

Now back to the Porsche wave

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Quote:

Note that "AV gas" is "100LL" -- 100 octane "low lead" -- which (despite its name) contains high amounts of lead. If you want to destroy your catalytic converter as well as muck up your engine over time, 100LL is a great way to do it.

Sorry, I should have stated that my car doesn't have a cat. Will a little lead (say 5 gallons AV mixed with 15 regular) for a week muck up an engine?

Quote:

If you start hearing pinging stop running it.

Buzz, wrong answer, thank you for playing. You won't always hear pinging. You could be doing damage and think all is well.

T77911S · 09-26-2008, 04:04 AM

i put in a set of colder plugs and have been using 87 gas with good results. if that does not help, you need to retard the timing, not the best option but at least you can drive it.
check the ngk site on plug heat ranges and effects.

masraum · 09-26-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autobonrun

I don't think there would be any damage. The worse case you'd just park it until the premium returns; same as if you don't have any in the first place.

A '79 and an '87 are very different. The most important factor is the difference in compression ratios of the two motors. An '87 (even a US model) has a higher comp ratio than a '79. Higher compression usually requires higher octane to avoid detonation.

There may not be any damage, but there can be. Detonation can destroy an engine. You can't necessarily hear detonation.

mthomas58 · 09-29-2008, 04:51 PM

Update: Still no premium available in Atlanta. Regular or Diesel only and it still tough to find with long lines when you do. Waited 1 hour in line Sunday filling up the wifes SUV and observed a near fist fight in line - tempers are flaring.

I was able to top off the 911 with regular again at QT on the way home from the office. Then stopped at three Auto Parts stores - all were sold out of octane booster & gas cans. Its a friggin mess! It may be another week or two before supplies return.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Dude, I'm bringing the car into Atlanta on Wednesday night from Mississippi. Do you know if there is Premium on the way into the city? I hope to fill up in Alabama before crossing the state line and have enough gas to last me until Friday when I leave.