About Requirement for Premium Gas

[Ucinn]

It has been this way since the first knock sensor was put on an engine.

 

[Marc Collins]

It has been this way since the first knock sensor was put on an engine.

Didn't I just say that a couple of posts above?

 

[Fenweekooo]

No, the manual has been updated as per the conversation above. And if you read the rest of what I wrote, you would know what's up.

Go ahead and contact KIA and ask then to confirm the HP/torque numbers are achieved with regular (87 octane). First, laugh that they won't be able to give you an answer straight away (why?!?!). Then, tell us what the eventual answer is.

If you really want to bang your head into the wall, ask what the HP and torque numbers are at the common octane levels (87, 89, 91, 93).

i have not read thru the entire thread i will look for the updated manual post, i have only put 91 in so far so i dont know how it would run on 87, but if i can save 60+ cents a liter i might be able to do without 366 HP to go get groceries

 

[Ucinn]

Marc, that wasn't intended for you, your post got snuck in between my two. Sorry for the mix up.

 

[Marc Collins]

Marc, that wasn't intended for you, your post got snuck in between my two. Sorry for the mix up.

Also not aimed at you, but just trying to reduce the same points being made over and over in the thread because people aren't willing to read back. Everyone responds to the last message...sort of the way people (and AI) deal with traffic (watching only the car in front of them) and worsen the congestion on the process.

 

[Nedstand]

Well now... this is interesting. The printed manual that came with my Stinger says "87 or higher", however I also downloaded the Stinger manual in PDF from Kia website so I can read it on the plane this weekend and that manual says...

 

[bumble bee]

Good info Nedstand, thank you.

 

[FFR6288]

Thank you, Nedstand, I hereby retract my recommendation of 87 octane and will be switching to 91. I picked up an online copy of the owner's manual a few weeks back from a link somewhere on this forum, and was reading it before I even bought the car. That version said 87, as did the printed manual in the car when I received it. I went back to the Kia web site tonight and pulled the online version there - it is now named "2018 Stinger OM2" rather than plain "OM", and it recommends 91 as you pointed out. It seems to me that Kia could do a better job of keeping owners informed, but I guess that is what this forum is for.

I hope this helps clarify the issue somewhat!

Rich

 

[Fenweekooo]

it is still the original 87 number from the Canadian online owners manual, hopefully they will update that soon

 

[Mike_TX]

I guess I don't understand the confusion over this.

As has been repeated in this thread, Kia RECOMMENDS 91 octane (key word "Recommends"), and states that you "could" lose some engine power if you use gasoline of less than 91 octane. That probably should read "will" lose some power, since retarding timing will result in some loss of power. But the loss is probably not enough for most people to notice in normal driving.

The point remains that the use of 87 octane gas won't hurt your car, and if you want to save some money, use Regular gas. If not, use Premium or even Mid-Grade.

It's up to you!

 

[MerlintheMad]

I guess I don't understand the confusion over this.

As has been repeated in this thread, Kia RECOMMENDS 91 octane (key word "Recommends"), and states that you "could" lose some engine power if you use gasoline of less than 91 octane. That probably should read "will" lose some power, since retarding timing will result in some loss of power. But the loss is probably not enough for most people to notice in normal driving.

The point remains that the use of 87 octane gas won't hurt your car, and if you want to save some money, use Regular gas. If not, use Premium or even Mid-Grade.

It's up to you!

That depends on your choice of refueling stations. Costco (at least around here, Utah) does not have "midgrade", only regular (85 octane) and premium (91 octane). So, as already pointed out by our Roosevelt Ut friend, @BlaydeX15 out here we don't have the option. Our "midgrade" when offered is barely 87 octane.

In researching this, I came across the "altitude factor": the higher above sea level you are the lower the octane rating you need to avoid pinging and knocking. So effectively, in Utah, Colorado, et al. the high altitude western states, 85 octane is the equivalent of 87 octane at lower elevations.

 

[eflyguy]

We get 87/93 at Costco here.

Most performance vehicles, and some "everyday" vehicles, have the ability to provide better performance and economy when using higher octane fuel, however SOME cars will be damaged by lower octane than required, but most modern cars have sensors that prevent that kind of damage.

 

[Nedstand]

That depends on your choice of refueling stations. Costco (at least around here, Utah) does not have "midgrade", only regular (85 octane) and premium (91 octane). So, as already pointed out by our Roosevelt Ut friend, @BlaydeX15 out here we don't have the option. Our "midgrade" when offered is barely 87 octane.

I suppose you could make your own mid grade.... 10 gals of regular + 10 gals of premium.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I suppose so, too. Isn't mixing gas a bit like running with scissors or juggling swords?

 

[Nedstand]

I suppose so, too. Isn't mixing gas a bit like running with scissors or juggling swords?

Well, there's no harm to filling up with regular on day and the next day filling up with premium.
And someone else pointed out (thought I have no personal knowledge) that there is no such thing as mid grade delivered to the station... rather it's blended on the fly at the pump.

 

[davebo]

I suppose you could make your own mid grade.... 10 gals of regular + 10 gals of premium.

I think trying to put 20 gallons in the Stinger would lead to quite a mess!

 

[Paul32]

I think trying to put 20 gallons in the Stinger would lead to quite a mess!

I'm sure everyone gets the drift, if you normally put in 14 gal on fill up, put the first 7 in using reg. and top it off with prem.

 

[davebo]

I'm sure everyone gets the drift, if you normally put in 14 gal on fill up, put the first 7 in using reg. and top it off with prem.

No worries, that was what we call a joke.
As a practical matter though, having never done it myself, do gas pumps typically let you just switch fuel grades on the fly or do you have to complete the transaction then swipe your credit card and put your zip code in all over again?

 

[Paul32]

No worries, that was what we call a joke.
As a practical matter though, having never done it myself, do gas pumps typically let you just switch fuel grades on the fly or do you have to complete the transaction then swipe your credit card and put your zip code in all over again?

I think it would be two separate purchases. Would take a little extra time.

 

[rocket23]

Most motors today are ''high compression motors. That being said these motors will act much like a diesel motor would...but with gas. The lower the octane ,the lower the flash point. A high octane fuel, resists heat generated by compression and will ignite when the piston cycle is at top dead center, thus creating maximum combustion, lower octane will start to ignite before the spark causing detonation. I always use the good stuff.....as for detergents and the like try a few tankfuls of shell brand gasoline....you won't be disappointed.