SAVAGE05TL

iTrader: (1)

I'll be visiting family this weekend and I recall that there's a gas station (Sunoco I think) that sells 95 and 100 octane unleaded gas. I'm thinking of testing this in my bone-stock TL - is there any harm in doing so?

I've done a little research and I will look further into the composition of the gas to ensure that it isn't high in ethanol or anything else harmful... Anyone had any experience with this?

If not... Stay tuned and I'll post my results!

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

If you are not tuned you won't see much difference unless it is ethanol free gas. Maybe less knocking if your car is knocking on 93

mau108

95 should be fine, i would not try 100

SAVAGE05TL

iTrader: (1)

No knocking for me on 93... Why not try the 100 though?

BROlando

Higher octane numbers just means that the fuel is harder to ignite. The reason performance cars use higher octane gas is so that the fuel will ignite later, at higher compression, and at higher heat.

Its just harder to light on fire.

So your ECU will advance timing to take advantage of this extra octane. You might see a 3 or 4hp bump from using 100 octane IF your computer is smart enough to take advantage of it. and maybe you see a MPG bump during hard acceleration because the fuel will allow the car to safely lean out.

Worst case with 100 octane...the ECU is stupid enough to just keep the ignition and fuel tables the same...and you lose a HP or 2 from incomplete combustion.

Or you may see no difference at all.



Higher octane gas does not have more energy content. Its just harder to light on fire. That's it.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Incorrect, Premium fuel and Regular fuel touch off at the same rate; the difference is Premium is more stable so higher compression engines don't overheat small pockets of end-gas and cause them to detonate; instead, the flame front continues unabated all of the way across the cylinder.

As for fuel economy, on a 3G Acura TL, you will likely lose some fuel economy. Why? Two reasons, 1) the ECU is not smart enough to advance the timing, and 2) due to the extra additives, 100 AKI fuel has fewer calories of energy per unit of fuel (but not by much).

Long story short, buying 100 AKI fuel for an unmodified car is an absolute waste of money.

nfnsquared

OP,

You're going to post results? From what? the ever reliable butt dyno?

SAVAGE05TL

iTrader: (1)

Hah, well... That was my plan. But it sounds like I won't likely get much of a result.

I appreciate everyone's input here... Definitely learned a little bit. Will let you all know how it goes this weekend if I can make it to that gas pump.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

ummm, i ran 100 octane once! fucking POWER FOR DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just too expensive to keep mixing 100 octane.

IHC's ran a knock test. he measured knock on a mix of 100 octane and 93 to make somewhere in the middle of 96 octane and it stopped audible knock.

so, YES! our cars benefit from 100 octane. your wallet will hate you tho

nfnsquared

^^^ anecdotal at best. No empirical data was gained.

As I've posted before, I ran empirical data on 87 octane gas and torque pro showed no timing pull in WOT runs to near redline in multiple runs (I forget what the air temperature was, but it was not anywhere near 100 F).....

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

I run a few gallons of 100 Octane from Sunoco mixed with 93 every summer season. Mainly due to being boosted and boost + Summer heat = no good. To control any knock that may happen. In the winter season I run 93 without mixing 100 octane. Would I suggest it for a stock or N/A TL? No, it won't be worth it. My TL is tuned for 93+, even before going boost I've always put 93 in. In short, it would be a waste of money in a N/A TL.

FYI: My TL isn't a daily driven vehicle so it's filled with a few gallons of 100 octane twice in the summer season.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, a boosted J32A3 is a very different story; I suppose if you get the boost high enough you might even need to run 100 AKI full time (of course there are other issues with that much boost).

viperkorn

So am I reading this all right I have a stock 04 TL and I live in San Antonio so ya its hot It was 104F for a while yesterday. Would putting octane boost mixed with my reg gas help with the summer heat?

BROlando

What does the car need help with? Is it knocking/pinging?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

octane booster is SNAKE oil. if you read the bottle, it says it raises octane one point. .1

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

Quick Article on why vehicles knock.
http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp-cou...-car-knock.pdf

Start off by using the required fuel, which is premium.
In the Summer season, knock is more present to happen. To beat the odds use highest octane available at your local gas station.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Summing up what the others have said, no, octane booster won't do diddly for your engine, it will make your wallet lighter though.

thoiboi

Waffeey

Anybody have a butt dyno sheet for going from 91 to 93/96 octane? been 105 to 110 degrees here in the valley lately so this would be the time to make the switch..

ericwudi0830

sooo what im gathering from this thread is that while you can put in 100 octane, its impractical is that right?

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

If you are worried about knocking due to extreme heat, use 93.

Again, if you are N/A there is no benefit of using 100 octane.
If you're not tuned for anything higher than 93, it would be a waste.
You're better off using 91-93 (as already required to use premium)

WDPanda

Even if you redline all day you wouldn't need anything above 91. Damn it's only a V6...

GreenSpades

I haven't experienced any knock on my TL and I have driven it for 8 to 10 hours a day, multiple days in a row, sometimes in 100+ degree heat, with traffic, and redlined it after all that heat soak. I use 92 octane from Wawa and it's nothing special. Every once in a while if i'm in a pinch I will add half a tank of 87 BUT only if I know im going to do highway driving at very light loads in regular temps. And I mix as much 92 or 93 if I can find it as soon as I can. My car is 99% stock though.