87 vs 91 octane?

[Wipeout]

So here in Oregon, it's illegal to pump your own gas. At the station today, I asked for premium (91) and they put regular (87) in the car. Annoying, but not much I can do. Anybody think this is going to have an adverse effect?

[Eldorado]

your car is made for 87 octane.
it'll be fine.

[ERAU944]

yup, no problem. i run regular in the 944 and the ninja, no big deal. for some reason the miata pings unless it gets mid grade, and well, the 951 gets premium for obvious reasons

i used to put premium in my 944, then i decided i liked saving the $.20 a gallon. it adds up, and unless you're at the track, you dont need the higher octane. go with regular, you may even find that the car runs better (i did!)

[Razorback1980]

It's illegal to pump your own gas? That's strange. Do you know why that is?

[MixMasterK]

Hey wipeout! Where in Oregon do you live?

[CJFusco]

The terms "regular" and "premium" are really just marketing; the octane of gasoline has nothing to do with the quality of the gas.

Octane rating refers to the rate of burning for a given gasoline. If your car's manual states "use 87 octane or better", then you are throwing your money away by using anything more expensive.

If you start playing with automotive mods, such as chip sets which advance cam timing, you run the risk of detonation ("pinging") at high RPM. When this happens, the fuel being fed into your engine is detonating at the incorrect time. There are two ways to avoid this: retard the timing, or use higher-octane gas.

By all means, use 87 in the 944. If you start hearing pinging at high-RPM, go to a higher octane.

[ERAU944]

what CJ said is on the money. that is why i use mid grade in the miata (pings with regular). also the 951 requires higher octane, although i think it actually says mid-grade (mid-grade may depend on where you are, i've seen 89 to 91, around here 93 is the highest at the pump) in the book. i used premium in the 944 on the track simply because i know its going to get pretty hot in there, and i'd rather be protected especially during long periods of full-out high rpm flogging. also, if you have a chip that changes timing and/or fuel maps, you will probably need a higher octane. higher compression, leaner fuel, or more advanced timing, and you will need higher octane... it's all physics i tell you... all physics

[Wipeout]

It's illegal in Oregon because someone passed a law years ago...not sure why, exactly. One source says "In 1951, when the Oregon legislature made it illegal to pump gasoline into one’s own automobile, it was believed that foolish individuals would mishandle gasoline and cause severe accidents" - though the mishandling and severe accidents to me are the potential dents in my car...and the fact that they never seem to put the gas cap on very tight. I'm from California and nothing scares the people at the stations more than me getting out and seeming to make a beeline for the pump. They freak. Not sure if it's because they get fined or that I might actually know how to work the device. :P

MixMasterK, I'm in Portland (NoPo, specifically, a few blocks from the University of Portland, where I went to school). I work with a few people out your way. They, needless to say, were not here last Monday and Tuesday.

Because the 1985/1 944 Manual is not in front of me...what's the recommendation for gas in the book? I seem to remember it being 91 and last time I put midgrade in, it seemed to be somewhat sluggish, but now that I've gotten used to driving it as a daily driver, I wonder if that was truly the case. Right now I need to fix my sometimes surging idle... Thanks for all the information, everyone. Having a BA in Communication means I have a "real-world" understanding of physics...but that's it!

[ERAU944]

it says 91 (i think thats the number) RON in the book, but that converts (U.S. pumps display RON+MON/2) - i dont know the factor off the top of my head (i think the final difference ends up being 4-5 points! in favor of regular) but a bit of googling and you'll get it. regular is fine. seriously, my car runs better on regular than it does on high test!

[Wipeout]

I'll have to give it a go. Gas is cheaper here than what I paid in CA, but it's still expensive! Next...how to fix the funky idle in an 85/1...

[AaronM]

Originally posted by Wipeout
It's illegal in Oregon because someone passed a law years ago...not sure why, exactly. One source says "In 1951, when the Oregon legislature made it illegal to pump gasoline into one’s own automobile, it was believed that foolish individuals would mishandle gasoline and cause severe accidents"

That's the published reason. The real reason is that it's a socialistic scheme to force the employment of otherwise unemployable individuals (i.e. "create jobs).

Personally, the next time I drive through Oregon, it will be with several gasoline cans in my trunk. I will fill the cans before driving into the state and when I need gas, I will pull into a station, park next to a pump, and procede to fill my tank from the cans. I just want to see their reaction.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Sue the gas station for a new engine.

Ahh, the American Way. . .

J/K - 87 will be fine in an early 944. Even if higher octane were required (such as with a 951) you could always dump a couple gallons of toluene in there to push the rating up enough, or simply idle the engine enough to burn the crap gas down (very little stress on the engine at idle).

Even my M/B (which requires premium due to high c/r) owner's manual says this - in the event only 87 octane gas is available, just drive conservatively and avoid using full throttle or full-power situations, and replace with premium grade at the first opportunity.

[Schumi]

You can't pump your own gas? That is the strangest thing I have heard today...

Take in a 962LM or something and tell them you need 91 or 93 or something. The one time they give you 87 instead of their higest octane, wind the car out taking off and sue for engine damage...

[Techno Duck]

New Jersey is the same way, you are not allowed to pump your own gas. Its a PITA because i need to shut the car off, get out, unlock the gas cap for the guy..etc. And more than half the time they will dump fuel all over the rear fender.

[Wipeout]

Amen Techno, amen. It's always better when the car is freshly washed!

I've been driving around the corner and refitting the cap (because they never put it on and it always leaks). I'm going to start doing it right at the pump.

[MixMasterK]

I always remove and install the cap myself as well as shut off the pump. If I don't, the pump keeps pumping and the tank overfills.

Kris

[CJFusco]

91 octane in Europe is the same as 87 in the U.S.

I doubt that your car runs more "sluggish" on 87 octane. If there is a performance difference, it is probably seriously negligable in a normally-aspirated car.

[Panzer909]

Originally posted by Techno Duck
New Jersey is the same way, you are not allowed to pump your own gas. Its a PITA because i need to shut the car off, get out, unlock the gas cap for the guy..etc. And more than half the time they will dump fuel all over the rear fender.

I learned that as well while visiting an old college buddy three years ago. I first got out of the car and went to the pump. The guy ran out waving his hands with a horrified look on his face. Jeez.........exactly what do they think is gonna happen?


And no, don't expect a tip, chief.

[bearone2]

Originally posted by ERAU944
it says 91 (i think thats the number) RON in the book, but that converts (U.S. pumps display RON+MON/2) - i dont know the factor off the top of my head (i think the final difference ends up being 4-5 points! in favor of regular) but a bit of googling and you'll get it. regular is fine. seriously, my car runs better on regular than it does on high test!

i use nothing but regular in the 87951.

[Hoss Ghoul]

I can't stand Oregon or New Jersey....make sure you fill up before entering....bastards all stand around expecting a tip for pumping your gas as though you wouldn't of happily done it yourself.

87 is all an 8V N/A needs.