I just moved to California from Ohio where premium grade is 93. California is only 91. I've noticed that my car idles significantly rougher and the engine doesn't feel as smooth or powerful. It was so bad that I had the local Acura dealer check it out.

It's extremely bad when I put Safeway gas in it, Shell seems to be the best in Cali. Anyone else experience this?

 

Try a new place.. I don't know if Cali has a Chevron but they are supposed to have some of the best quality gas. I went to a Shell once, filled up all the way, and noticed the exact same problems you are having. Turns out they loaded up some diesel gas in the tanks!!!wtf!!! Might want to check out on that.

 

I stay with Amoco and Mobil, some of those offbrand places have crappier quality control.

 

Shell is the best gas I've used, period. I used to use Amoco Ultimate 93 religiously, but Shell's V-Power gives this car more zip than ANY other brand. I gladly pay the few cents extra a gallon for it! I guess that's the story whether it's 91 or 93.

 

In the past week I've used 94 octane from Petro-Canada (in Mont-Tremblant), 91 octane "winter gas" (per the sign) from Petro-Canada (in Ottawa; they didn't have the 94), and 93 octane from Hess in Frackville, Pennsylvania. I've noticed NO difference among any of them. In the past I've normally used 93 octane because that's what is generally available here in the DC area, but I do not hesitate to use 91 octane when I find it at a Sunoco station (they're the only ones to sell 91 around here). Sunoco used to carry 94 octane, but they dropped it, and last week in Quebec was the first time I'd seen it in almost two years.

As I say, I have found almost no difference among the grades. It's possible that the 94 octane might have made a MINIMAL difference in the cold weather, as it was zero degrees Fahrenheit when I filled up and it got down to at least minus eight during the remainder of the week. My mileage was perfectly shitty on that tank of gas, but a large part of that was due to making short (2 to 3 km) trips in cold weather on snowy roads. In driving in the DC area, I have noticed NO difference at all. I suggest you try a different gas station and that you stick to the name brands. I'm occasionally tempted to try the no-name up the street here to save 10 cents a gallon, but then I add it up and it isn't worth it. I go with the name brands (Shell, Mobil, Exxon, Sunoco, BP, Hess, Texaco if I can find it; Petro-Canada and Ultramar when I travel). It may not help to stick to the name brands, but it surely doesn't hurt.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/f-s-01-02-chrome-outer-grill-03-cls-look-129452/

Update on the second page, second post.

 

gas stations play a big part too. i got a friend who runs a gas station. you don't want to know how they maintain their tanks.

i even notice some lil knocks with 93 sometimes on accel. when RPM is below 2K. sensor and computer kick in quickly tho to eliminate that. downshift will always work.

 

i just 89

 

I only use Chevron 91, but will put some 93 if I go over to Nevada.

 

If anything, higher octane should help in hotter weather, since it prevents pinging.

 

I work for one of the oil companies mentioned, and we test all gas. Knowing this, you are best staying with a fuel form one of the majors. Their additives and QC are much better. Speedway was one of the worst we ever tested!

You own a $30,000 car, why are you so intersted in saving less than $5? Take car of your car. It will last longer!

 

gas is gas, they all pump from the same tanks into the semi, its then that each company adds their specific additives like chevron, mobil, etc.

you shouldn't see much if any diff from 93 to 91, the computer should adjust for the slight variance, your not running a high hp performance motor to make that big of a diff

 

Not high hp but 11:1 compression is pushing the envelope on 91 octane.

 

89 is good in Canada. Lower temperature, Higher altitude.

 

true true true, but 99% of the time, OEM mfg's go with the lowest std octane in the country, so 91 is what they set it up for, 93 is a slight plus

 

True. I can get my auto car to detonate on the freeway if I ease into the gas real slow, right before it kicks out of lockup. Usually I drive around this by going to half throttle right away. I've tried different brands but it always does it. My other car is a turbo car so I'm always looking out for that dreaded sound.

 

I dont think there should be differece between 91 and 93. I'm moving up from 89 to 91 because at temperature above 50, car seems to sluggish

 

I hate cars,

Detonate? Detonation is caused by mechanical problems, not octane. Knock or ping is caused by incorrect spark timing, to low octane, wrong heat range on the spark plugs, etc.

A-Train