[travis]

Many around here seem to be very 'car savvy' so I have a question for you guys. Which octane gas do you use? And what are your reasons? More specifically, does a higher octane gas just give you more power, or does it also improve gas mileage? Or does the increased power just allow you to use less gas to get the same result?

I am trying to decide what octane to use in my new Ody and appreciate your opinions.

Travis


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2001 MB EX, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Wheel Locks, Pioneer Speakers

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by travis:
Many around here seem to be very 'car savvy' so I have a question for you guys. Which octane gas do you use? And what are your reasons? More specifically, does a higher octane gas just give you more power, or does it also improve gas mileage? Or does the increased power just allow you to use less gas to get the same result?

I am trying to decide what octane to use in my new Ody and appreciate your opinions.

Travis


</font>

Hi Travis,

I use anything above 86 octane because that's what the owners manual says to use. The advertising/articles/whatever that I've read on the Odyssey claim 215 hp on premium gas and 205 on regular. I've used nothing but regular in my van so far and it runs very well thank you!

For "normal" driving around, I doubt that I'd be able to tell any difference in performance with premium fuel and I have my doubts about the possiblity of getting in significant increase in fuel mileage either. Fuel mileage is dependent on many factors and the grade of fuel you use is just one of them.
Around here, there's a .20/gal difference between the price of regular and premium gas and I'd be very surprised if the fuel mileage increased enough to cover that difference.

JMOOC, FWIW,
Drive Safe,
Steve

 

[Jim F]

Use the lowest octane (anti-knock index) that doesn't cause your Ody to knock or ping. I run 87. If I pulled a trailer I'd run 93.

We've had people in my car club lose 4 hp on a dyno by only changing from 87 octane to 100 (about $4 a gallon).

------------------
Jim

'01 GG EX

 

[Jim F]

It's rumored that California won't have premium gas above 91 octane starting August 1st. I hope this doesn't start a nationwide trend.

High compression and turbo motored cars are going to suffer.

------------------
Jim

'01 GG EX

[This message has been edited by Jim F (edited 06-29-2001).]

 

[peterk]

There was a big news story here in NY on gas station fraud.

There were 3 areas:
1- gas stations were charging everyone credit card prices which can be .03-.07 per gallon extra.

2- hitting extra or super when regular was asked for

3- When tested they found that ALL GAS IN THE STATION was regular. When people paid for super they got regular.

Super is a scam.

 

[cmt4]

Ditto Intrepid175. Anything above 86 will provide quality performance. I bet if you did the math and calculated how much you spent on premium versus the better mileage, you'd see it's not much of a bargain. That's assuming you even REALIZE better gas mileage.

Jim,

Please say it ain't so! I have a classic car that is a screamer and I need every last bit of octane I can get to make her run right. I have to add racing fuel or boost with each tank. Did I mention she is high compression! The Ody is fun, but I think I may be able to take it in the quarter mile

 

[travis]

Thanks for all the responses everybody. It sounds like most feel that the 87 octane is fine and the higher octane gas has questionable value in a vehicle like the Ody. I would only want to run a higher octane if I got a equitable return in mileage. That doesn't seem to be the case. Have a good day.

Travis


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2001 MB EX, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Wheel Locks, Pioneer Speakers

 

[fordsdad]

i have been using regular around town and premium on the highway.

according to honda:
210hp and 229lb/ft torque on premium
205hp and 217lb/ft torque on regular


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2000 lx,fern grey,remote starter, single disc cd player,roof rack with cross rails, bra, hidden hitch,csa 5 spoke alloy wheels,15% film over oem privacy glass and artic alpine tires on the oem steel wheels.

 

[exindenver]

Gas prices finally going down here in Denver. Just filled up at Costco with 91 octane at $1.569/gal. 85 octane was $1.469/gal. Usually use 85 octane (regular here in thin air Denver) but I do notice the better power in the mountains and 1 to 2 mile per gallon increase in milage with premium.

 

[cobra9357]

I puts 89 oct. on my 01 white LX and my dad puts 93 oct. on his 01 beige EX. I think eventhough people put 87 oct. i think that would be fine too. I was really suprise that my neighbor's gas price went down big time... i paid 1.28 on 89 oct. on 7-08-01. from Tx.


jason

 

[MerpsMom]

I just returned from Colorado and was curious about the 85 octane. Nice to know it's because of the altitude. I was driving a Suburban given me by my Honda dealer to use while my car was incapacitated. Be glad you don't have to fill that behemoth and then drive it up Berthoud Pass. We paid 1.35 in Limon, 1.67 in Granby, CO, but saw 1.16 in Kansas City when we got home. Go figure. (Can't wait to get my Odyssey!)

 

[TrickedOdyssey]

I yell at my wife if she puts 87 octane in...there is a NOTICABLE difference between 87 and 93....that 10 HP really makes a difference!!



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Owner:
1991 Civic Si, Intercooled turbo ZC
2000 Odyssey LX, working on tons of mods

Any questions related to honda and your ODY? just email me! [email protected]

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TrickedOdyssey:
I yell at my wife if she puts 87 octane in...there is a NOTICABLE difference between 87 and 93....that 10 HP really makes a difference!!
</font>

Really? I just got off a trip to Indiana a couple of weeks ago. See my post under the "Road Trips" discussion catagory. I ran 87 octane on the way up and 92+ on the way back. I found absolutely "no" difference in fuel mileage and could feel no significant improvement in performance. With respects, 10hp on a 4300+ lb vehicle simply isn't going to make what I'd consider to be a big difference.

Drive Safe,
Steve

 

[perlguy9]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TrickedOdyssey:
I yell at my wife if she puts 87 octane in...there is a NOTICABLE difference between 87 and 93....that 10 HP really makes a difference!!

</font>

I haven't noticed this difference. I have noticed the $.20+ price difference between 87 and 91/93 in our area, and even if there is a diffierence I'm not sure it's worth it.

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'01 DEP EX in Fairview Park, Ohio
Click here for pics.

 

[ca12394]

I read in a Hxxxx dealer's site that using a higher octane gas than you need *may* actually cause starting problems because of the delayed burning effect, especially in low temperatures. This should not be a problem to those of you fortunate enough to live in places with a mild winter, though.

I have been using 87 without any problems. After reading that bit, I will stay that way because of the harsh winter conditions in Canada.

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ca12394:
I read in a Hxxxx dealer's site that using a higher octane gas than you need *may* actually cause starting problems because of the delayed burning effect, especially in low temperatures. This should not be a problem to those of you fortunate enough to live in places with a mild winter, though.

I have been using 87 without any problems. After reading that bit, I will stay that way because of the harsh winter conditions in Canada.
</font>

Hi Ca12394,

Actually, Honda has published hp numbers for the Ody that are specified with premium fuel as well and numbers while using regular. I think this implies that the Ody will operate just fine on either and you should be getting a "slight" boost in power with the premium. As a few of us have noted who have experimented with this issue by trying both octane ratings, the difference simply isn't worth worrying about, certainly not enough (at least for me) to justify the added cost of premium fuel.

Drive Safe,
Steve

 

[jamescanine]

I've been using 87 octane exclusively with my 01 LX. I'm also driving an 11 year old Acura with 143000+ miles and over the years I switched back and forth between the premium and regular grades, and never appreciated any significant difference. I track my mileage regularly as a way to spot potential engine problems etc. If no pinging then I would go with the regular grade. Long ago, someone told me to avoid ethanol mixed grades as it can damage the fuel injectors. I know many of the midwest states almost exclusively sell fuel with an ethanol mix. I don't have any definite source to site on this, but I have always tried to avoid it when possible.

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jamescanine:
Long ago, someone told me to avoid ethanol mixed grades as it can damage the fuel injectors. I know many of the midwest states almost exclusively sell fuel with an ethanol mix. I don't have any definite source to site on this, but I have always tried to avoid it when possible.
</font>

Hi James,

The Ody's owners manual specifies what percentages of alcohol blended fuels are safe to use in the car. As long as you stick to these guide lines, you shouldn't have a problem. Alcohol blended fuels are not generally sold in my part of the country so it's not a problem for me but I have used a tank or two in previous vehicles I've owned while on vacation and have never had a problem with it. As long as you verify the fuel your about to fill up with falls within the limits published by Honda, I wouldn't worry about it.

Drive Safe,
Steve

 

[jamescanine]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Intrepid175:
Hi James,

The Ody's owners manual specifies what percentages of alcohol blended fuels are safe to use in the car. As long as you stick to these guide lines, you shouldn't have a problem. Alcohol blended fuels are not generally sold in my part of the country so it's not a problem for me but I have used a tank or two in previous vehicles I've owned while on vacation and have never had a problem with it. As long as you verify the fuel your about to fill up with falls within the limits published by Honda, I wouldn't worry about it.

Drive Safe,
Steve</font>

Steve:

I also read my manual, but just like some people who don't trust the 2001 manual when it comes to the 5W20 oil recommendation, I'm still cautious. If given the choice I will pay a little more and/or drive a little further for a non-ethanol mix. You are probably correct that if in the specified amounts then it probably is not harmful. Thanks for your response.

 

[Skybolt]

I think I'm on record on another thread saying I favor 87 except for perhaps towing situations. I just got back from a couple weeks of about 1600 miles in which I went the whole trip on 92 octane just to see what the diff.

I don't know if it was the more moderate temps on the trip versus home (live in desert), or the increased octane, but I loved the seemingly increased response & power that was _significantly felt_ on the 92 octane.

I gassed-up at Cosco's along the way, and the Premium price was the same or lower than what we pay for Regular here locally without a Cosco... hence I could rationalize the experiment.

Mileage on the trip varied from 14.249 MPG hotrodding around Sacto area in stop & go traffic to a high of 26.209 MPG from Bakersfield to Sacramento on Hwy. 99. Average for the entire trip was 21.53 MPG on Premium. The highest previously achieved on Regular via Hwy. driving is around 22-23 MPG, so maybe a bit better MPG can be had on Premium, but I see no difference in City driving (MPG wise).

Air was on the whole time except for some driving in Sacto area. Hwy. speed usually around 80-85, ...did get tired of messing around with a kid in a Toyota on I-5 coming back down south, and did hit 105 MPH briefly. Also hit a bird on I-40 at 85 MPH, terrible noise/windshield held... but don't think that affected MPG for me as bad as it did for that poor bird. :-(

Anyway, back at home with the higher prices currently around $1.60 for Regular and $1.80 for Premium... I'm going back to Regular! (...until my next outing [smile])