# unnecessary octane at the pump? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149 "2010-02-09T20:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ubengineering](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ubengineering/32/5171_2.png) [@ubengineering](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ubengineering)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/1 "2010-02-09T20:24:58Z")
went to the citgo on dick/georgeurban after gettin outta wegmans, i usually never go there cause it just looks like a shithole, but i didnt want to bolt across the street to sunoco so i went to select regular and i notice their gas is 87, 88, 89 octane unless its just me when the fuck did 88 come out? edit: i forgot to add, the diff in price from the 88 and 89 is 2 cents ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/2 "2010-02-09T20:51:37Z")
In Canada they had a place that had 94 octane, I filled the bike up for shits and giggles ---
**Author:** ![BigEd88](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/biged88/32/5064_2.png) [@BigEd88](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigEd88)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/3 "2010-02-09T21:01:11Z")
depends on how much waste water they mix in? ---
**Author:** ![Deathproof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@Deathproof](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Deathproof)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/4 "2010-02-10T05:13:27Z")
If you ever go on a big road trip you will see it all. A local sunoco used to have 94, I’ve seen “economy” 86 as well too. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/5 "2010-02-10T05:42:17Z")
There are many different octane ratings throughout the country. Some states have 93 and 94, others only have at most 89 or 91. One of the factors that goes into what’s offered is the altitude of the area. Also some gas pumps simply blend premium and regular to get a “mid-grade” when you pump it. So the octane rating would be an average of the two: _“If you look at the photo below that your average tokheim gasoline dispenser. The pipe you can see going straight up on the left and the right with black hoses connected to them are the product lines. Notice three products being sold and only two lines coming in.”_ ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/Hance1976/DSCN2544.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/Hance1976/DSCN2544.jpg) That said, who uses mid-grade anyway? I’ve never been in a car that said “use mid-grade gasoline.” Most cars either use premium (89+) or regular. I think offering a mid-grade like 88 is simply a way to snag a few people into paying a bit more. ---
**Author:** ![brent\_strong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/brent_strong/32/7203_2.png) [@brent\_strong](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/brent_strong)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/6 "2010-02-10T06:18:46Z")
^ You just made the argument for midgrade. There are a good amount of cars that require 89+ or 91+ (I think all I6 X5s are 91+) which falls squarely into the normal midgrade range. Couple that with the chance to sucker some people into buying “better” gas… ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/7 "2010-02-10T06:22:54Z")
I’ve gotten 94 in NY before…Car ran pretty smooth on it actually. ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/8 "2010-02-10T06:24:09Z")
I think he posted this not to say how my octane ratings are available but that actually having 87, 88, 89 doesn’t make sense. Having 87, 89, 94 would make sense as it gives you an actual range of octanes while 87,88,89 essential does not. What onyx posted might be the answer though. Since the place is a cum dumpster they probably carry 89 as “Premium” but have this two feed style pump. That being said their regular being 87 makes the blend 88. Who the hell would want 88 lol. Any ways my M3 calls out 91 I think. ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/9 "2010-02-10T06:30:49Z")
It’s normal for gas pumps to ratio “regular” and “premium” to come up with the mid grades, a gas station doesn’t want to have a separate tank for 5 different grades. I go to Sunoco usually because they have a 91 “blend” if you will, which is all my car requires. Putting in higher octane than the car needs is just wasting your money. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/10 "2010-02-10T06:56:07Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > That said, who uses mid-grade anyway? I’ve never been in a car that said “use mid-grade gasoline.” Most cars either use premium (89+) or regular. I think offering a mid-grade like 88 is simply a way to snag a few people into paying a bit more. My boat recommends 89 (carbed VolvoPenta). I’ve run 87 and it will sometimes diesel a little bit on shutdown. Run 89 in it and it’s perfect so no sense paying extra for 91+. You always want to run the minimum octane needed to make the vehicle run right. I always laugh at the ricers running 93 in their stock compression Civics thinking it gives them more power. The only speed increase you’re getting there is the weight reduction of lightening your wallet. ---
**Author:** ![ubengineering](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ubengineering/32/5171_2.png) [@ubengineering](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ubengineering)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/11 "2010-02-10T08:07:49Z")
> [@ultradriver10000](#): > > I think he posted this not to say how my octane ratings are available but that actually having 87, 88, 89 doesn’t make sense. > > Having 87, 89, 94 would make sense as it gives you an actual range of octanes while 87,88,89 essential does not. this! ---
**Author:** ![llink78](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/llink78/32/8037_2.png) [@llink78](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/llink78)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/12 "2010-02-10T08:12:01Z")
dont u get better gas milage from higher octane? i thought i heard this a few years back ---
**Author:** ![Z28pr0jekt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/z28pr0jekt/32/5393_2.png) [@Z28pr0jekt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Z28pr0jekt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/13 "2010-02-10T08:14:02Z")
> [@llink78](#): > > dont u get better gas milage from higher octane? i thought i heard this a few years back if your car is not optimized for higher octane, you will be wasting money putting in a higher octane. You will not burn it as efficiently if your car is not tuned for it. ---
**Author:** ![Jim1234664](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jim1234664/32/7438_2.png) [@Jim1234664](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jim1234664)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/14 "2010-02-10T08:40:07Z")
my dads 99 ram pings like crazy on 87 but runs fine on 89 :shrug: ---
**Author:** ![Z28pr0jekt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/z28pr0jekt/32/5393_2.png) [@Z28pr0jekt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Z28pr0jekt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/15 "2010-02-10T08:44:01Z")
> [@Jim1234664](#): > > my dads 99 ram pings like crazy on 87 but runs fine on 89 :shrug: it’s a v8 right? Most v8s are made to run on higher octane fuels and are recommended that by the factory. I know V8 cherokees are recommended premium from the factory ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/16 "2010-02-10T08:48:13Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > My boat recommends 89 (carbed VolvoPenta). I’ve run 87 and it will sometimes diesel a little bit on shutdown. Run 89 in it and it’s perfect so no sense paying extra for 91+. > > You always want to run the minimum octane needed to make the vehicle run right. I always laugh at the ricers running 93 in their stock compression Civics thinking it gives them more power. The only speed increase you’re getting there is the weight reduction of lightening your wallet. Integra GS-Rs and B Series Civics require 93 oct, or premium gas :bush: ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/17 "2010-02-10T08:55:54Z")
> [@deebo](#): > > Integra GS-Rs and B Series Civics require 93 oct, or premium gas :bush: no, they were detuned from factory in the US market to run on 87 because of all the cheap americans ---
**Author:** ![91CRXSI](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91crxsi/32/7247_2.png) [@91CRXSI](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91CRXSI)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/18 "2010-02-10T09:01:47Z")
most people have them JDM motors and need the 93 ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/19 "2010-02-10T09:02:46Z")
> [@deebo](#): > > Integra GS-Rs and B Series Civics require 93 oct, or premium gas :bush: When a car says premium fuel required, doesn’t it mean 91+? ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149/20 "2010-02-10T09:06:52Z")
> [@NYstanger](#): > > When a car says premium fuel required, doesn’t it mean 91+? Yes, when sold in the US. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/unnecessary-octane-at-the-pump/79149.md?page=2)