Any reason why that would be? Seems to be even better than when on 89. Thanks!
Car appears to get better mileage on 93 Octane...
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Some staions like BP contain 10% ethanol in 87 octane, 5% in 89 and none in 91.
What satinsilver said.
Also you haven't detailed your test parameters at all. Do three months of careful testing and it will likely show no improvement.
Likely the 93 has no ethanol, you *might* see a difference there.
Also you haven't detailed your test parameters at all. Do three months of careful testing and it will likely show no improvement.
Likely the 93 has no ethanol, you *might* see a difference there.
Many cars I've owned have returned better economy on premium than on regular, even those cars which called for regular gas. Examples: '01 Cadillac STS and '11 Toyota Camry. Our '05 Acura MDX also gets better mileage on premium, but it does recommend premium.
I've ran a few tanks of premium back-to-back in our '08 Honda CR-V and it doesn't seem to make a lick of difference in that vehicle.
I've ran a few tanks of premium back-to-back in our '08 Honda CR-V and it doesn't seem to make a lick of difference in that vehicle.
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I just wrote about this in another thread.
My 2011 CR-V consistantly returns a 3 MPG increase using Shell V-Power. Just the V-Power. Did a test with Mobil 93 octane. No increase in MPG. Car runs great on the V-Power.
My 2011 CR-V consistantly returns a 3 MPG increase using Shell V-Power. Just the V-Power. Did a test with Mobil 93 octane. No increase in MPG. Car runs great on the V-Power.
It just seems such a big difference, I always thought that Octane wasn't "supposed" to make a difference.. But the gauge on 93 vs the gauge on 89.. Has me re-thinking that..
The Volvo IS a Turbo...
The Volvo IS a Turbo...
Octane doesn't. Ethanol content does. Also with a turbo, yes, there's potential there.
Anything else is almost %100 the placebo effect. I've seen people drive TEN MILES and attempt to calculate their mileage to support claims that certain gas is better then others, so you seriously can't trust it until you do long, extensive, and careful testing.
Your mileage calculatons can easily fluctuate +-3MPG if you're relying on stock instruments to do your calculations, so don't get fooled by it until you've done long consistent testing.
ONE TANK DOESNT COUNT...
Anything else is almost %100 the placebo effect. I've seen people drive TEN MILES and attempt to calculate their mileage to support claims that certain gas is better then others, so you seriously can't trust it until you do long, extensive, and careful testing.
Your mileage calculatons can easily fluctuate +-3MPG if you're relying on stock instruments to do your calculations, so don't get fooled by it until you've done long consistent testing.
ONE TANK DOESNT COUNT...
Simple. Turbo engines benefit from higher octane, up to a point. In a modern knock sensor equipped turbo engine with a computer controlled turbo, the computer will up the boost and advance the timing as much as it can without detecting knock. The 93 octane lets it run more boost/timing than 87 or 89 octane.
Do recall that the turbo is providing slightly more air than a comparable naturally aspirated engine would be drawing in even when it's not actively providing boost. It's lessening the vacuum in the engine so the engine does not work as hard pumping in air at almost all times. It's not working as hard to breathe, so it can devote more power to propelling the vehicle instead of operating itself. If it's advancing timing more thanks to less knock all over the fueling tables, that means it's providing the same power on less fuel, which would result in better fuel economy.
Do recall that the turbo is providing slightly more air than a comparable naturally aspirated engine would be drawing in even when it's not actively providing boost. It's lessening the vacuum in the engine so the engine does not work as hard pumping in air at almost all times. It's not working as hard to breathe, so it can devote more power to propelling the vehicle instead of operating itself. If it's advancing timing more thanks to less knock all over the fueling tables, that means it's providing the same power on less fuel, which would result in better fuel economy.
As a side note, my variation in highway mileage in my vehicle over the 9.5 years I've driven it is 39-51mpg using the same octane. Not discounting the OP claim, but clearly many factors can alter mileage; the turbo observation one seems plausible, but it could be a cumulative increased based on several things.
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All of my vehicles get better mileage on premium. That's not saying its the higher octane doing it,it's because here in Saskatchewan premium isn't ethanol polluted. All my vehicles are tuned for 91 octane anyways,except the hemi owners manual states 89 octane.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
What exactly does it say on your gas flap?
I bet it says "Unleaded fuel only, premium fuel recommended".
If you look on the Volvo chat boards, many owners make it clear that their 2.4T cars run poorly on non-premium fuel.
Also, to eljefino's point, Volvo clearly recommends premium.
Bust out those few extra dollars!
What exactly does it say on your gas flap?
I bet it says "Unleaded fuel only, premium fuel recommended".
If you look on the Volvo chat boards, many owners make it clear that their 2.4T cars run poorly on non-premium fuel.
Also, to eljefino's point, Volvo clearly recommends premium.
Bust out those few extra dollars!
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Originally Posted By: eljefino
What exactly does it say on your gas flap?
I bet it says "Unleaded fuel only, premium fuel recommended".
If you look on the Volvo chat boards, many owners make it clear that their 2.4T cars run poorly on non-premium fuel.
Also, to eljefino's point, Volvo clearly recommends premium.
Bust out those few extra dollars!
I know I can get Regular for $3.47 down the street, and Premium for $3.47 in Dorchester. 93.
Starting to re-think this "use 89" angle...
Originally Posted By: eljefino
What exactly does it say on your gas flap?
I bet it says "Unleaded fuel only, premium fuel recommended".
If you look on the Volvo chat boards, many owners make it clear that their 2.4T cars run poorly on non-premium fuel.
Also, to eljefino's point, Volvo clearly recommends premium.
Bust out those few extra dollars!
I know I can get Regular for $3.47 down the street, and Premium for $3.47 in Dorchester. 93.
Starting to re-think this "use 89" angle...
My old 2002 GMC Envoy would yield better gas mileage on higher octane fuel. I just couldnt bring myself to pay more for it every time. Point proven: I sold the Envoy and bought a Prius...lol
When I would go on a highway trip, sometimes I would use mid or high grade because I knew I would get more miles out of that tank.
When I would go on a highway trip, sometimes I would use mid or high grade because I knew I would get more miles out of that tank.
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it will get better mileage on higher octane i usually use the mid grade because the high octane creates more carbon.. i alternate regular next tany mid grade..
Nissan recommends premium on my maxima due to high compression (10:1), but will run on regular. Running regular though results in retarded timing with a loss in power and MPG.
Depending on your vehicle, area, and fuel prices, running premium could give you better economy.
Depending on your vehicle, area, and fuel prices, running premium could give you better economy.
I did not know BP 91 is ethanol free.
I don't believe that yet, but I'll look into it.
If a car is multi specd for regular or premium, then I'd use premium.
If it is specd for regular, and runs better on premium, something is wrong with the condition of the engine, fuel system, or it's tuning.
I don't believe that yet, but I'll look into it.
If a car is multi specd for regular or premium, then I'd use premium.
If it is specd for regular, and runs better on premium, something is wrong with the condition of the engine, fuel system, or it's tuning.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I did not know BP 91 is ethanol free.
I don't believe that yet, but I'll look into it.
If a car is multi specd for regular or premium, then I'd use premium.
If it is specd for regular, and runs better on premium, something is wrong with the condition of the engine, fuel system, or it's tuning.
It COULD all be placebo, but I just gassed up on Premium, to be sure. I also thought the turbo was the variable..
Car feels as though it RUNS the same on 89/93 (pretty much,) just not sure if I am seeing things with this increased MPG. Preliminary results, after transitioning off the 89 (mostly) for two tanks.. seems like it is real.
I know I can get Regular for $3.47 down the street, and Premium for $3.47 in Dorchester. 93.
I did not know BP 91 is ethanol free.
I don't believe that yet, but I'll look into it.
If a car is multi specd for regular or premium, then I'd use premium.
If it is specd for regular, and runs better on premium, something is wrong with the condition of the engine, fuel system, or it's tuning.
It COULD all be placebo, but I just gassed up on Premium, to be sure. I also thought the turbo was the variable..
Car feels as though it RUNS the same on 89/93 (pretty much,) just not sure if I am seeing things with this increased MPG. Preliminary results, after transitioning off the 89 (mostly) for two tanks.. seems like it is real.
I know I can get Regular for $3.47 down the street, and Premium for $3.47 in Dorchester. 93.
My 1996 Volvo get better mpg with premium, no doubt about it. Always has, even before the big ethanol mandate. Main reasoning are the enriching/knock/timing retard sensor loops.
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