macdo

Yesterday while filling up my Toyota Sequoia, a 2011 GS pulled up behind me and the guy proceeded to fill up his take. I have a 2007 AO coupe so I started talking to him. He said that he has been using Costco gas and actually puts in the regular 87 octane and has had no knocking or pinging and he said that his car runs perfectly.....?????

ncvette_1FUNRIDE

The computer adjust the timing based on the octane rating. It will hurt his performance slightly but he will never notice it in normal driving.

When I picked up my 2010 at the Museum, they specifically told me that it was perfectly fine to use regular gas. They said that IF I noticed any knocking I could go up to the next highest rated grade and try that.


I still use premium though.

snide

There are times when I've run regular in my Z06. Have even bought gas from Costco...

macdo

So I guess that I can try regular 87 and see how it goes? I've always been afraid that it would "hurt" the engine....

Big Dan 427

It is my belief that over time the lower octane gas will cause carbon build up on the valves and also affect some emissions items like the cat. Any other thoughts in this?

Wayne O

Good for the Grand Sport owner....it's his car to do with as he pleases. Personally, I wouldn't run regular gas in my Corvette. I feel high fuel prices like everyone but I didn't buy a high performance Corvette to worry about fuel economy or to 'cut corners' using lower octane, regular fuel. I understand a little savings here and there all adds-up but if fuel economy was that much of a priority I'd drive something else.

ButWhatDoIKnow

Why buy a 430 HP+ car and put cheap gas in it?

LS WON

Costco buys from different refineries not the same all the time. Last time I talked to driver of gas tanker the gas was coming from Tesoro refinery. An Arco across the street from Costco is usually within a penny in price so if you are going to drop to regular might as well go use Arco.

96GS#007

You might notice a nearly imperceptible difference in performance in ~100k miles.

P0234

Belief based on what? I just opened up a motor that had 160k on it, run on the cheapest gas available. Looked great inside.

C6RaceCar

Why do people flip out thinking that their corvette is going to explode when using 87???? There is worse gas out there like 85 in colorado and people run that just fine too. Did you not think GM too this all into account when putting the oem tune together for these cars??? They have to literally tune the car to run on the worst gas known to man, and then bring it down even farther from there to compensate for even worse situations. Not to mention your car runs on a mass airflow system, and the car can compensate for variances in airflow also to keep everything safe. I think the car can go up or down like 10% timing or something. But seriously guys, you could run your car with the crappiest gas and its going to drive just fine. You may be down a few hp, but thats it. Its more than safe, and in a pinch you should not have any issues with putting in 87 if you have been running 93 the whole time.

jbondfl

Why this continues to be an issue that gets folks all wadded up is a mystery.
The owners manual says regular fuel is fine, however, you may suffer a slight loss of performance.
No one buys a Vette for the economy but it is hard to ignore that it gets the same/better mileage than a lot of other vehicles sold today. Driving sensibly to save fuel is not a Corvette Sin, nor should saving a couple dollars on a tankful of regular if you choose to do so.
I buy premium. Not because I HAVE to and not so I can prove to the next guy that I can AFFORD better gas. I buy it becasue I decided I'd rather have every one of the 430 hp my GS is capable of at my beck-and-call. My choice, my money. If I know I'm going on a road trip and will be driving casually for 400 miles ( a full tankful) I might very well choose to save the $3-4 dollars on regular.

JMHO

Jimmy W1

I use V Power in both of my High Performance cars.

Big Dan 427

Motor on what PO234? Our mechanics (Acura dealer) have opened up motors where people cheap out and there is carbon deposits on the valves!

Gearhead Jim

As others mentioned, the car will normally run ok on regular (87) gas. But I don't do that, here's why:

1. You lose some MPG, which will vary from tank to tank but it does reduce the amount of money you save.
2. Any time you get on the power a little, you are betting your engine that the knock-retard system will work properly. It's a very good system, but I prefer not to make that bet.
3. I want the car to be capable of the full 436 hp, if I want to save a few cents then I'll drive one of our Toyotas.

Everyone gets to make their own choice...

KneeDragr

Exactly!

Thats one thing I dont understand about a small minority of Corvette owners, especially it seems, some elderly ones. They buy this 60k+ ultra high performance car, put cheap gas in it, brag about fuel economy and complain about tire life.

macdo

Funny, Kneedragr....This guy was older and did mention the expense of tires and how long they lasted.....

Racer

Was it Jack?

Don-Vette

It cost about $3.30 more to fill your tank with premium gas. If your too damn cheap to afford that then your an .......oh never mind.

Besides,it's Blasphemy to put cheap fuel in your Corvette,it's the third commandment for criss sakes!!!!!

Bedouin

The ecu is pulling timing on 87-91 octane, so it's fine to drive a 'slightly' slower 'vette for long trips or as a DD. But as a pure weekend sportscar or for hpde, not so much.

We only get 91 in my area of CA, but 93 octane is optimal & will not pull any timing. I ran race gas @ Laguna Seca & it was nice to feel the motor running at full power.