It's another gas question...

[ODDferkOUT]

Once again, the ongoing debate on gas grades continue. I use 91 octane on my car. My question is if I were to switch to 89 octane, besides a performance loss would it harm in engine in either way? I'm particularly worried about how the turbo will respond to this.

Hrm...

Anything?

 

[Big Daddy]

I would stick with the manufacturers recommendations, however that said and should you decide to down grade, listen carefully and if you hear any pinging add some 91 octane. I do not think the trade off is worth the difference in price.

 

[ODDferkOUT]

Exactly what I'm thinking. For the most part I don't feel it's worth the extra couple cents a gallon back in my pocket. So I'll stick with top grade. I'm just not liking the $45 a tank bit I'm going through.

Thanks though, you always help me out with my questions here. Even when I had a BMW.

 

[Tom]

I agree with Dan. Also if you have a turbo I was also suggest going with the highest octane.

 

[Big Daddy]

Thanks for the compliment. I filled my pickup last week, ouch! Thank goodness she runs on the regular stuff!

 

[ODDferkOUT]

Thanks guys. It's funny how I go back to this forum for questions regarding my car. There aren't any forums that are as active as this forum when it comes to Saabs. But that's probably because barely anyone owns one. [unsure]

 

[jrt67ss350]

I think the 2000 Saab 9-5 V6 required 91 octane. I know the new 9-3s suggest 91 octane, but will run on 87 without damage, just a loss of power. What does your owner's manual say?

 

[ODDferkOUT]

It says it requires 93 or the highest one's state allows. My mom's friend drives the new 9-3 SS and he says that when he tried midgrade he lost some performance with the turbo. So eh, Big Daddy said, it's not worth saving the extra 20 cents a gallon.

 

[codex57]

while the minor difference in money is why I just suck it up and get 91, your case is a little different. With a turbo, I'd be real weary of dropping octane if it wasn't designed for it. Not worth the risk IMO.

 

[ODDferkOUT]

So I read my owner's manual fully last night...

The engine is made to handle nothing lower than 87 for the 4-Cylinder Turbo and 89 for the V6 Turbo without any signs of knocking and pinging. In retrospect, if I were to downgrade, it's not worth saving the extra couple cents a gallon.

I guess I just needed some outside thinking to keep with it.