Is 91 octane non-oxygenated fuel ok?

[DuluthSonic]

Our local Kwik Trip stations all sell 91 octane non-oxygenated ethanol free premium gas. It is as expected a little more expensive. What I am curious about is if it is fine to use this with the 1.4 turbo? The pumps have the usual label stating that the fuel is for "off road, classic car, recreational and small engine use only". But I have always believed the ethanol free fuels to be better for the engine and can even give a little better mileage. Thoughts?

 

[JesusTheAgnostic]

As far as I know the car is meant to run on E10, that's that 10 percent ethanol oxygenated fuel. I don't know if it would be bad for the car though

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[JesusTheAgnostic]

To run no ethanol, if it works then I think it should result in slightly higher MPG

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[pbkn1p]

Hey. Champ wrote an excellent piece about this exactly on another thread. I just can't find it now. But. It's in here


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[Papasonic]

The fuel you describe; 91 octane, no ethanol, should be an excellent fuel for the 1.4 turbo Sonic. What puzzles me is why it would be labeled as you say; for off road use only. This labeling sounds like it would be for leaded fuel. Maybe the fuel delivery pump, at one time dispensed the no longer available leaded fuel.
It also is true that you will get increased fuel mileage with straight gasoline with no ethanol.
Prior to using the described fuel; verify that it indeed contains no lead. If it is 91 octane, no lead, no ethanol; use it! In the area where I live, there is only one station that sells this fuel grade. It is a Phillips 66 station; the disadvantage is that the 87 ethanol sells for $2.39; the 91 no ethanol sells for $2.99: $.60 per gallon more.

 

[DuluthSonic]

Papasonic, I am certain it is unleaded. These Kwik Trips are all brand new stations around here within the last two years so they wouldn't be old tanks that previously had leaded. I'm pretty sure the labelling is a Minnesota requirement. I think the state just doesn't want you using it in your car for pollution reasons but I will double check before giving it a try. 87 unleaded is around $2.39 here and this good stuff is $2.79. My concern is more about doing damage to my car. I didn't think it would but I figured I would ask around first to play it safe.

 

[Natesriv]

I use it all the time, no issues. 2-4 mpg better

 

[JesusTheAgnostic]

I think it might say off road use only because cars are designed to run on E10 these days because it reduces emissions. Right?

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[DuluthSonic]

I think it might say off road use only because cars are designed to run on E10 these days because it reduces emissions. Right?

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That is the impression I get regarding the message. It does not mention anything about being for classic cars that ran on regular leaded gas. Just that it is for classic car or off road use only.

 

[JesusTheAgnostic]

That's my guess.

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[rojoes]

I use that gasoline 91 ethanol free free in my small engines. I also add 1 ounce of Sea Foam additive per gallon. Everything I have: lawn mower, snow blower, weed wacker and chain saw (2 stoke oil add for chain saw and weed wacker) starts with one pull.

 

[Papasonic]

I use that gasoline 91 ethanol free free in my small engines. I also add 1 ounce of Sea Foam additive per gallon. Everything I have: lawn mower, snow blower, weed wacker and chain saw (2 stoke oil add for chain saw and weed wacker) starts with one pull.

I do the same for my L&G small engine equipment, except I use a fuel treatment marketed by Toro for the 4 cycle engines. For the 2 cycle engines I use Opti-2 oil; it contains a fuel treatment additive. The ultimate fuel for small engine protection is SEF; the canned fuel marketed by VP. It is available in 4 cycle, and pre-mixed 2 cycle formulas. It is essentially race fuel but formulated for small engines; octane is 90-94,depending on formula and dealer. This fuel stays stable for 5 years in the can, and 2 years in your equipment. Stihl also markets a pre-mixed 2 cycle fuel called MotoMix. Although a superior fuel, its cost is high at around $24.00 per gallon.

Back on original topic: The fuel the OP is questioning is indeed suitable for for use in our Sonic turbos; the extra cost is the issue.

 

[DuluthSonic]

Ok, so I went ahead and filled up with this good stuff on Friday just to give it a try. A had asked a mechanic friend about it and he said the labelling is just as we thought. It's just a state regulation to try and keep emissions down. He said it is more than safe to use. Anyways, the car seems to run a bit smother with it and feels like it might have a bit more up & go. My mileage findings are preliminary but interesting. I've had the car about a month. First two tank fulls were 87 octane. My driving habits are pretty consistent (home to work and back, groceries, ect...) with it being about 70% in town and 30% highway. With the 87, I was averaging 32.5 miles to the gallon. Pretty happy with that. Then I decided to try some 91 octane (not the stuff in question but the standard 91 with an ethanol mix) for two tank fulls. It did feel as if it ran a bit smother, but my milage during those two tank fulls dropped to 31.7. Now it has only been two days with this 91 without ethanol, but my milage has jumped up to 33.8. So it is certainly liking the good stuff. It is odd that the 91 with ethanol actually decreased the milage a bit.

 

[Papasonic]

The alcohol content is the main factor of fuel mileage variation. I've read articles regarding this topic: The consensus is that if an an engine were to run on 100% alcohol, it would take twice as much alcohol as gasoline to travel the same distance as if it were to run on pure gasoline. Depending on alcohol content, the mileage would be proportional to the alcohol content. The advantage ethanol provides is increased octane, reduced emissions, less dependence on crude oil, a market for farmers' corn.

 

[TheGreenDragon]

I've been running premium 91 unleaded pure since about the second month of owning my car. I suspect it has something to do with the turbo, but the increased octane does make the engine run smoother. Unless I am mistaken the higher octane advances the ignition timing? So my best guess is the car likes where it is firing now much better than where it was on the unleaded 87.

I am currently sitting pretty at 35 mpg in town.

 

[PocketRocket]

The Sinclair station in my town has top tier non ethanol 88 octane gas. It's good stuff. Your car will run great on that 91. I'd definitely use it.