June 8, 200421 yr I am wondering if I can get a way with a lower octane in my '92 Legacy Touring Wagon, turbo. It calls for premium on the gas cap, but here at 6500 feet we can use a lower grade. I use mid-grade and don't really see any problems but am wondering what could happen. Is it possible to use the lowest grade once in awhile? I can't afford premium even when gas is not out of this world!
June 8, 200421 yr Lower octane= higher chance of detonation.. If you want to drive a turbo car, spend the extra 10 cents per gallon and put premium in.
June 10, 200421 yr Author I guess I'll have to bite the bullet. I'm used to Toyota 4 cylinders. I didn't choose the turbo, it just came that way. I'm learning.
June 10, 200421 yr Now that all that is out of the way... 89 octane is probably just fine. I generally put in premium (92) but I notice not a single difference between that and 89 octane. Many people have said the same thing.
June 11, 200421 yr Author Now that all that is out of the way... 89 octane is probably just fine. I generally put in premium (92) but I notice not a single difference between that and 89 octane. Many people have said the same thing.
June 11, 200421 yr Author Actually, at this altitude the mid-grade is 87 octane. When I travel back to the midwest, I go with the mid-grade there which is 89. No pinging or knocking in the past year but did have to replace the fuel pump. Could that have been anything related???? It was an expensive repair.
June 12, 200421 yr Actually, at this altitude the mid-grade is 87 octane. When I travel back to the midwest, I go with the mid-grade there which is 89. No pinging or knocking in the past year but did have to replace the fuel pump. Could that have been anything related???? It was an expensive repair. Nope, totally unrealated. Fuel pump motors do burn out over time, but you can extend the life of your fuel pump by replacing the fuel filter at the suggested intervals: a clogged filter will cause the fuel pump to work harder and cause premature failure. By the way, if you can get away with using a lower grade fuel without any ill effects on the engine or its performance, it will actually keep your combustion cleaner because there is an inverse relationship b/t octane level and volatility. Hence, the lower the grade the more competely the fuel/air mixture will burn on each combustion cycle, leaving fewer deposits. That said, I've never owned a turbo engine. Take care,
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