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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > 87 Octane



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      03-16-2006, 12:06 PM   #1
CMD
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87 Octane

Damn, I spaced out and accidentally put 8 gallons of 87 octane gasoline in my tank this morning! This pump I used had the lower octane button on the opposite side of normal and I just wasn't paying attention when I pushed it. Oh well, since there's nothing I can really do about it, I guess I'll be okay. I can't believe I did this.
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      03-16-2006, 12:07 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMD
Damn, I spaced out and accidentally put 8 gallons of 87 octane gasoline in my tank this morning! This pump I used had the lower octane button on the opposite side of normal and I just wasn't paying attention when I pushed it. Oh well, since there's nothing I can really do about it, I guess I'll be okay. I can't believe I did this.
go mix it with 100 octance gas or suck it out. but i dont think it will hurt.
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      03-16-2006, 12:10 PM   #3
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u could siphon it out
let us know how that goes.
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      03-16-2006, 12:20 PM   #4
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Long, where is 100 octane available around here?
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      03-16-2006, 12:22 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMD
Long, where is 100 octane available around here?
i have no idea in your area. but nearby my area is a lil mom and pop's gas staion that sells them. i am not sure if they still do. 8 gallons is really nothing. you can burn that out in a day. just do alot of driving.
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      03-16-2006, 12:34 PM   #6
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A few 76 stations carry 100 octane gas. I know there's one that has it on the corner of Barrington and Pico in West L.A..

I don't think that the 87 gas will be a problem. Your car won't be damaged. The ECU on your car will adjust to the cheap gas. You just won't have as much power.
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      03-16-2006, 12:35 PM   #7
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Mix it with higher grade fuel and do not drive agressively untill you use up low grade fuel. Unless you tow something or floor your car all the time, there very minimal risk of engine damage.

So, relax and be pay attention next time.
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      03-16-2006, 12:40 PM   #8
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You wont have any problem

Cars need minimum 91 RON
USA stations show PON which is [RON+MON]/2
So 87 US is about ok
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      03-16-2006, 01:15 PM   #9
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As others have said your engine should be fine and will manage but if you're really concerned perhaps you could pick up a bottle of Octane boost at your local auto parts store ?

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/72498/
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      03-16-2006, 01:38 PM   #10
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Don't worry a single bit.
It'll be fine.
Your engine has a knock sensor, and if something odd should creep up, like knock, the sensor will detect and the ECM will correct the timing for smooth operation. It could lower max power for a bit as it retards timing to control knock, if it should occur.
Overall, NO big deal at all. Drive it and enjoy and next pay attention at the pump.

T
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      03-16-2006, 01:38 PM   #11
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Wink

Thanks everyone for your posts. I'm sure I'll be fine too. The rest of the tank was 92 octane, so as some of you have advised, I'll probably just experience a small loss of power on this tank of gas. I don't drive aggressively much anyway. I'm just feeling a little Homer Simpson-like having done this. Doh! I hope I don't ever pull up to put air in my tires and fill the gas tank with water! LOL!
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      03-16-2006, 01:39 PM   #12
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It's too late...you're going to have to get another car now.
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      03-16-2006, 02:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shimshimhada
It's too late...you're going to have to get another car now.
Damn! Oh well, I guess I'll get a new M3!
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      03-16-2006, 02:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMD
Damn! Oh well, I guess I'll get a new M3!
Do it. Be a man. Do the right thing.
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      03-16-2006, 03:12 PM   #15
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I had to put a few gallons of 89 in my car and it ran perfectly smooth but it was slow as hell! It had like no guts whatsoever, felt like maybe 180hp instead of 255hp.
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      03-16-2006, 03:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet
You wont have any problem

Cars need minimum 91 RON
USA stations show PON which is [RON+MON]/2
So 87 US is about ok
You can even get by w/ 86 PON octane rating at a minimum w/ less power.
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      03-16-2006, 03:55 PM   #17
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don't worry, there won't be a problem.
i tried it before, i filled my car with 87 on and off for 3 years
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      03-16-2006, 04:52 PM   #18
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My friend took his Porsche into the dealership for a scheduled tune-up and when he went back to pick up the car, the service rep was like "Sir do you recall putting low grade fuel in your car x# of miles ago ? Please don't do that again......"

The computer knows "Dave, what are you doing Dave ? I can't let you give me low grade gas...."
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      03-16-2006, 05:02 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet
You wont have any problem

Cars need minimum 91 RON
USA stations show PON which is [RON+MON]/2
So 87 US is about ok
Could you explain this a little more? I am interested in knowing exactly what PON, RON, and MON stand for as well as how the requirement is calculated. Thanks!
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      03-16-2006, 05:56 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdorn
Could you explain this a little more? I am interested in knowing exactly what PON, RON, and MON stand for as well as how the requirement is calculated. Thanks!


http://www.refiningonline.com/Engelh...ep/TCR4_29.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/R...RONMONPON.html
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      03-16-2006, 06:16 PM   #21
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So, based on those articles, if the E90 really only requires fuel with a RON of 91 rather than a PON of 91, then we could use 89 and probably 87 with no ill effects, right? According to the chart US fuel with a rating of PON 86.6 has a RON of 90, and US fuel with a rating of PON 89 has a RON of 92 which is more than enough to satisfy the RON 91 requirement of our cars. Since I am purchasing US 93 octane fuel (premium here in Atlanta), I am actually using RON 97 which is way more than I need.

I have always heard that the only cars sold in the US that actually need anything higher than US 87 octane fuel are those with forced induction (supercharger or turbo). I listen to Clark Howard quite often (radio show that helps with saving money, etc.), and he claims there is no reason to use anything other tha 87 octane fuel unless you have a forced induction vehicle. He claims he has personally contacted all of the vehicle manufacturers (specifically including Porsche) who have all verified that 87 octane fuel is perfectly safe. He does give the disclaimer that it is possible the engine's computer could retard timing if it detects any detonation, which in theory would reduce the power output of the car.

He has a great website that is useful if you are looking for information on saving money on just about anything (travel, purchases, etc.) or looking out for scams.

http://clarkhoward.com/

I guess that some would argue that it is cheap insurance to just go ahead and buy the highest octane fuel available. I figured it out, and over the three year lease on my car it would cost me around $500 more to use premium vs. regular and about $250 to use premium vs. mid-grade. To some that is cheap insurance. I will probably stick with the premium.
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      03-16-2006, 06:23 PM   #22
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you good. thats a party foul though. lol
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