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> If my T5's 0-60 time improved from 12
> sec. to 9 sec. by switching from 87 to 92,
That's a HUGE "if". If true, it indicates your engine has problems (it's
full of crud, and it's an octane junkie). Did you make these numbers up?
9 sec 0-60 still sounds substandard to me. If you've been using cheap gas,
maybe that's the problem... I'll bet that a clean engine on 89 will be
happier and thus stronger and thus faster (not to mention more efficient
and more economical to operate) than a dirty engine on 91 or 92.
> I'm reasonably certain
> that switching from 92 to 91 would result in a performance loss that
> could be measured in great big fractions of a second,
So try it. Nothing beats a trial like a failure. (Or worry about it just
in case it might actually be true.)
"Great big fractions of a second"? Never heard that one before.
No great big difference in 1 octane rating point. You must think that
they used to provide 92.00000 and now it's 91.00000, even though we live
in an imprecise world. I guarantee you that even if you always fill
up from the same pump/nozzle, you never get exactly the same octane twice
in a row anyway.
I suppose you'd prefer a price ripoff to an octane ripoff, but if your
engine were not such an octane junkie, neither would matter as much to
your car/wallet. The higher octane is helping your engine deal with a
symptom, but without that 'drug' you may be forced to treat the cause of
the problem, which is always a better approach anyway. I suggest you try
3-4 tankfuls of Chevron or Texaco or some other major brand that includes
one of the more advanced cleaning additive packages (it should boast about
its ability to keep the intake valves/tract clean...).
You've only covered 6700 miles in 14 months???!
1. You don't burn enough gasoline to worry about the change anyway!
2. Your car is probably suffering from under-use. It may need more
than 3-4 tankfuls of good gas, and some time spent out on the open road.
So, thanks for noticing this Orwellian change and spreading the word, but I
don't find it alarming (disappointing, maybe, but not alarming), especially
since I believe 91 is what's recommended (for performance) for your car.
There are plenty of areas in the U.S. where 91 is higher than what's
available...
Higher octane does not equate to higher quality.
Higher octane does not equate to higher energy content.
Higher octane does equate to additional (carcinogenic) additives.
Higher octane does equate to higher prices.
Higher octane does allow a turbochared engine to run more boost. (But so
does having an engine that's clean inside, making the cleaning additive
package more important than 1 octane rating point.)
If every customer wanted to pay more money for that "great big fraction of
a second", the oil companies would have a tiny revolt on their hands,
alright.
- Dave; '95 854T, 111K mi
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