91 or 96 Gas?? Which is cheaper?

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tdgeek

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# 79852 23-Mar-2011 08:47

Yes, this has probably been asked an many motor forums. I have a motorcycle that says use 87 (GSX 650F) as did my Ninja 250R

The reason I ask opinions (and facts) is that many say, use lower octane as its a waste of money payng more for higher octane as it does not deliver more power. It apparently burns slower and cooler.

From my experience in a Honda Prelude, many moons ago (1984 model) I found the higher octane was peppier and drove further, and roughly same cost as lower octane (cheaper but less range)

Thoughts?

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# 451012 23-Mar-2011 09:09

Use what it was tuned for.
If your car or bike was tuned for 96, running it on 91 will actually cost more as it will not run right.
If you bike says to use 87 octane you will probably find that's a PON number as opposed to a RON number that we use here, so you should be running 95 octane.

http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/Reference/RONMONPON.html

All those out there running there Jap import sports(ish) car running 91 are not doing themselves any favours as most of those are built to run on Japans 100 octane and a lot struggle even on our 95.

Technofreak

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# 451014 23-Mar-2011 09:16

In years gone by I think the benefits of the higher octane fuel would have been very small. Now with all the clever engine management systems that set optimal spark advance etc I think it is very likely that higher octane fuel will provide better range(economy) and power, but how much and whether or not it provides better value for money, I don't know. The price diffference will be the main factor.

What is the split as a matter of interest? If it's still four or five cents a litre, then percentage wise you need a smaller gain from the higher octane fuel than you would have previously.

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tdgeek

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# 451015 23-Mar-2011 09:16

Great reply, tks TheUngeek

I would have thought that a bike sold to NZ as new and saying

Does NZ use Research Method?

tdgeek

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# 451017 23-Mar-2011 09:22

Excuse my last post I was looking up the bike manual then sent the reply, not realising I had not finished one sentence

Bike manual says

Use 91 or higher (Research Method)

For Canada, use 87 as that is MON/RON/2 i.e. PON

I assume we use RON?

merve0o0

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# 451020 23-Mar-2011 09:24

Above is true. I work in an automotive electronics company and we see alot of subarus with blown motors because they are running 91 they really need 98.

The higher octaine does not make more power it prevents detonation or "pinking" which is when the fuel ignites to early in the cycle. Using a higher octane the engine can be tuned to make more power by leaning it out and changing timing.

If you car/bike runs fine on 91 with out detonation then use it. If you use 91 and it wants 95 the ecu will detect the detonation and feed more fuel to stop it and cool the engine. But using more fuel and robbing power.

Detonation can also be called knock

TheUngeek

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# 451021 23-Mar-2011 09:25

Using a lower octane gas than the engine is tuned for can make a huge difference to economy and smooth running, and in extreme cases the life of the engine.
I am not a bike man, but I do know they are more highly tuned than car engines, so if I had one I would never run it on a lower octane.

Case in hand I know about, Toyota AE101 Levin, 4age 20v 1600cc engine, designed to run on Jap 100. Running on our 95 would average 500+ to a tank of 95. Testing on 91 resulted in only about 450 kays and it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. No exact figures because it was a long time ago and I have forgotten.

on the other hand my current 2000 NZ new corolla gets a max of 600 to tank of 91. Changing to 96 resulted in slightly smoother running (hardly noticable) and 0 difference in kays. No difference in economy because the car is tuned for 91.

TheUngeek

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# 451022 23-Mar-2011 09:26

Sorry, yes we use RON in NZ

tdgeek

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# 451030 23-Mar-2011 09:34

Excellent, as it says 91 or higher RON I will continue to use 95/96 cheers

timmmay

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# 451033 23-Mar-2011 09:50

Is there any benefit to using 95 in my little 2003 Corolla? 91 seems to work fine, and I assume since it's NZ new it's tuned to use 91.

TheUngeek

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# 451036 23-Mar-2011 09:54

A NZ new 2003 corolla will be fine on 91.

timmmay

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# 451041 23-Mar-2011 10:07

TheUngeek: A NZ new 2003 corolla will be fine on 91.

Thanks :)

plod

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# 451160 23-Mar-2011 16:04

There is also 98 octane available at some bp stations, not sure who else offers it, but sure they would

NzBeagle

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# 451161 23-Mar-2011 16:06

plod: There is also 98 octane available at some bp stations, not sure who else offers it, but sure they would

From Memory:
Mobil offers Synergy 8000, used to be RON 97.5

Gull offer Force10, Biofuel 98 with 10% ethanol.

richms

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# 451240 23-Mar-2011 21:32

Dont believe the manufactures specs either, try the good stuff yourself and see what happens, and it will take more than a tank for the difference to show up. I know in my gutless skyline its the difference between second and third up most hills at 58km/h or so, and the ability to accelerate without having to floor it and have it shift down and rev to hell. - about 12l/100k each way, and really the price difference is nothing on a tankfull.

just avoid vpower, it seems to go off quickly and be much worse than the other, even techron which also makes the same dodgey engine cleaning claims.

Richard rich.ms

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# 451241 23-Mar-2011 21:36

Thing I've noticed with Gull's 98 octane fuel (Force Ten) you burn it faster, power is nice but car drinks it faster

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