| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
I'm not up to speed on more modern cars with the variable ignition and cam timing, so let's say you were looking at a car like a 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT with over 10,000 miles on it, and let's say the salesguy said he was told specifically by the Pontiac rep that you could use regular gas in the car, and upon searching the web page for Pontiac you find that they specify to use only premium gasoline: A) This is nothing to worry about since the engine controls will compensate for the lower grade/octane gas. B) This may or may not be an issue depending on how the car was driven. C) This may or may not be a problem but get a disclaimer added to an extended warranty to specifically cover engine issues relative to running a lower grade of gas prior to buying the car. D) Demand that they put it in writing that regular gas can be used and that they will cover any damages resulting from using regular gas should any problems arise. E) This is a major problem waiting to happen, run, don't walk away. F) Other. The car seemed to run fine on whatever was in the tank, no pinging could be heard under a fairly hard acceleration. Like I said, I'm not up to speed on these newer cars so I'm looking for input. Thanks. You have 62 minutes to complete this exam.  http://www.pontiac.com/vibe/04Pontiac_Vibe.pdf | ||
| Bomber |
F you should run hi test if the manufacturer sez to . . . . .. hard to tell what's in the tank at present | ||
| Mikej |
Yep, plan to if we get it, but just wondering if any damage may have been done. The dealer only has regular in their lot tanks. Yet they've got a couple of high-perf cars on the lot so hopefully whoever was filling the tanks went down the street. Just found this link: http://www.carsdirect.com/research/pontiac/vibe/2004/base/reviews?code=-2 Says the compression was bumped from 10:1 up to 11.5:1, but the cam boost doesn't kick in until 6,000RPM's. I know in the Buell running reg gas is a major pinging no-no. | ||
| Mikej |
Okay, just found this: http://www.semissourian.com/story.html$rec=132041 "The Vibe GT is a driving enthusiast's car, and is one of the most powerful vehicles in its class. The Yamaha high-revving 1.8-liter engine produces 180 horsepower at 7600 rpm when fueled with premium fuel, thanks to technologies like double-overhead camshafts, variable-valve timing and variable-valve lift. It also runs fine on regular gas, but produces fewer horsepower. It drives the front wheels through a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission -- usually found only on high-end cars. When I let the engine spin into its upper rpm range it provided thrilling performance. This engine is redlined at a remarkable 8,000 rpm, and its peak power is achieved above 6,000 rpm. Pontiac included a sporty exhaust system that provided a louder-than-normal tone that should please the performance crowd. When you put your foot to the throttle, others will definitely know you're coming, or going, depending on their perspective. " So we may be okay, assuming I can trust the word of an automotive reporter. Their honest, right?  | ||
| Grndskpr |
A) This is nothing to worry about since the engine controls will compensate for the lower grade/octane gas. In my limited experience with 2 cars that required premium, when run with a lower grade, engine performance was effected, not causeing any problems with the engine, only a lack of power, and since you are looking at a GT, that may b why they require the higher grade, on another note, milage siffered with the use of a lower grade gas, again no problems, just got worse milage call another dealer Roger | ||
| Mikej |
I'm going to wager the salesman an ink pen against his $50 to see if he can show me in writing that using reg gas is okay. Either I loose a free vendor pen or he pays for a couple of dinners if he goes for the wager. But it does sound like newer cars have some level of anti-knock compensation built into them based on another few web sites I found. Now if Buell could do something similar I could run the M2 on kerosene.  Off to kick some tires. Thanks for the feedback and letting me do some headscratching. bye. "ping" | ||
| Kevyn |
...think diesel... | ||
| Crw |
My 1993 SAAB AERO specifies 92 octane or above. It runs like crap with 89 octane. With the cheap stuff (89 octane @ 2.59 per gallon in California ain't really cheap though, is it?) the APC system limits turbo boost and the "ButtDyno" reads about 20-30 ponies short of the 225 bhp it has with premium. It might knock once and then performance is lessened until it gets the good stuff again. Mileage on this car is about 3 mpg better with 92 octane. Most modern fuel injected ECM equipped engines probably are not harmed by using lower grade fuel. They "adapt" to fuel quality. Performance is most likely the bigger issue. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Well, My 1989 Saab 900s don't care what it runs on. The engine management system really compensates for the gasoline I run in it. My 1995 Saab 900se Conv really don't care either once again the computer takes over. Now the old 1983 Saab 900 I had HATED regular unleaded and used to ping its brains out. That thing actually had breaker points and mechanical fuel injection so I to run that puppy on premium. My 2000 Windstar Van don't care and neither do I as that is really my wife's vehicle which I hate but its a necessity with 4 kids and a dog. The S1 Loves Premium and will not run properly at all on Regular Unleaded The lawnmower don't care either, as does the chainsaw, snowblower or weed wacker. I think I rambled on a little bit.............Sunny day here with temps in the high 50s - woooooooooo hoooooooooo | ||
| Rocketman |
9000 AERO is turbocharged and fitted with a knock sensor to monitor the bang for your buck. You run it on cheap vodka and it WILL notice the difference.  Rocket | ||
| Andys |
Hey Mikey, That Toyota motor has a knock sensor on it, so harm was done. Test drive the car and lug the motor, 5th gear 1200rpm. You shouldn't hear any pinging. Nice car by the way. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Sod all that use a small block mopar and run it on 'shine, bye bye sherriff. Mr Grumpy & associates disclaim all responsibility for accidents and lawsuits due to following advice from the insane. | ||
| Darthane |
G) Don't buy a Poniac Vibe | ||
| Mikej |
Too late. Is there something I should know????? Tested it on premium last night, hits 6grand and the cam dealie kicks in like a turbo-boost, fun. But seeing as how I'm the secondary driver of the car I won't get to do that too much. Guess that's what the Buells are for. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Think 1972 GMC Jimmy 4WD, carb'd 350. I have hardened valve seats in the heads now so I can run UNLEADED gas, period! The cheap stuff works fine. It gets a skosh, 10% or so, more MPG with Premium, but not enough to justify a 30% price difference. |
