R50/53 Which Fuel Grade
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
higher octane is typically required when a car has a 'blower' which raises compression ratios
understand what octane means and understand why ... too low of octane can introduce knock aka pre-ignition ... this is BAD ... or WAS bad ....
modern cars have a zillion computers and sensors especially KNOCK sensors. When the computer senses KNOCK it adjusts the engine to prevent damage. In the olden days, when they removed LEAD from gas - which was an octane booster - we adjusted the TIMING to prevent KNOCK due to the lower octane being sold .... today the computer does this for us. BUT this adjustment does cause a power loss .... you don't get the maximum BOOM in the cylinder anymore. The result is lower octane equals a loss of power . . .
For my current daily driver, also a 2 liter turbo'd motor, rather than just recommend an octane number presents a table of common octane numbers you will find and the maximum horsepower you can expect once the computers "adjust"
curiously the high to low is about a 2 hp range, less than 1% in my case . . .
MORE important is that the gas is CLEAN burning .... and this has NOTHING to do with OCTANE. Some brand's additives DO make the gas burn cleaner ... these have been identified as TOP TIER . . . .
btw .... running HIGHER octane does NOT increase power ... cuz without the higher compression the higher octane is not needed. The exception would be if the car is able to adjust to the higher octane due to it regularly running UNDER its potential . . . aka there is "excess" compression.
if in doubt consult a chemical engineer . . .
understand what octane means and understand why ... too low of octane can introduce knock aka pre-ignition ... this is BAD ... or WAS bad ....
modern cars have a zillion computers and sensors especially KNOCK sensors. When the computer senses KNOCK it adjusts the engine to prevent damage. In the olden days, when they removed LEAD from gas - which was an octane booster - we adjusted the TIMING to prevent KNOCK due to the lower octane being sold .... today the computer does this for us. BUT this adjustment does cause a power loss .... you don't get the maximum BOOM in the cylinder anymore. The result is lower octane equals a loss of power . . .
For my current daily driver, also a 2 liter turbo'd motor, rather than just recommend an octane number presents a table of common octane numbers you will find and the maximum horsepower you can expect once the computers "adjust"
curiously the high to low is about a 2 hp range, less than 1% in my case . . .
MORE important is that the gas is CLEAN burning .... and this has NOTHING to do with OCTANE. Some brand's additives DO make the gas burn cleaner ... these have been identified as TOP TIER . . . .
btw .... running HIGHER octane does NOT increase power ... cuz without the higher compression the higher octane is not needed. The exception would be if the car is able to adjust to the higher octane due to it regularly running UNDER its potential . . . aka there is "excess" compression.
if in doubt consult a chemical engineer . . .
Last edited by Capt_bj; May 18, 2016 at 02:13 PM.
I am super cheap. I check prices on my phone before I buy anything in case I might save a buck. I buy clothes at thrift stores. My wife says the happiest day of my life will be when I can get a senoir discount.
I only put premium in my Mini...
I only put premium in my Mini...
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
From: NM
Altitude plays a part in this also. I live at 8000 ft and 99% of my driving is over 7000ft where mid grade fuel actually works better than premium. Can't opine on a boosted engine in this case, but I have no loss of power in my justa and am averaging 39mpg.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 8
higher octane is typically required when a car has a 'blower' which raises compression ratios
understand what octane means and understand why ... too low of octane can introduce knock aka pre-ignition ... this is BAD ... or WAS bad ....
modern cars have a zillion computers and sensors especially KNOCK sensors. When the computer senses KNOCK it adjusts the engine to prevent damage. In the olden days, when they removed LEAD from gas - which was an octane booster - we adjusted the TIMING to prevent KNOCK due to the lower octane being sold .... today the computer does this for us. BUT this adjustment does cause a power loss .... you don't get the maximum BOOM in the cylinder anymore. The result is lower octane equals a loss of power . . .
For my current daily driver, also a 2 liter turbo'd motor, rather than just recommend an octane number presents a table of common octane numbers you will find and the maximum horsepower you can expect once the computers "adjust"
curiously the high to low is about a 2 hp range, less than 1% in my case . . .
MORE important is that the gas is CLEAN burning .... and this has NOTHING to do with OCTANE. Some brand's additives DO make the gas burn cleaner ... these have been identified as TO TIER . . . .
btw .... running HIGHER octane does NOT increase power ... cuz without the higher compression the higher octane is not needed. The exception would be if the car is able to adjust to the higher octane due to it regularly running UNDER its potential . . . aka there is "excess" compression.
if in doubt consult a chemical engineer . . .
understand what octane means and understand why ... too low of octane can introduce knock aka pre-ignition ... this is BAD ... or WAS bad ....
modern cars have a zillion computers and sensors especially KNOCK sensors. When the computer senses KNOCK it adjusts the engine to prevent damage. In the olden days, when they removed LEAD from gas - which was an octane booster - we adjusted the TIMING to prevent KNOCK due to the lower octane being sold .... today the computer does this for us. BUT this adjustment does cause a power loss .... you don't get the maximum BOOM in the cylinder anymore. The result is lower octane equals a loss of power . . .
For my current daily driver, also a 2 liter turbo'd motor, rather than just recommend an octane number presents a table of common octane numbers you will find and the maximum horsepower you can expect once the computers "adjust"
curiously the high to low is about a 2 hp range, less than 1% in my case . . .
MORE important is that the gas is CLEAN burning .... and this has NOTHING to do with OCTANE. Some brand's additives DO make the gas burn cleaner ... these have been identified as TO TIER . . . .
btw .... running HIGHER octane does NOT increase power ... cuz without the higher compression the higher octane is not needed. The exception would be if the car is able to adjust to the higher octane due to it regularly running UNDER its potential . . . aka there is "excess" compression.
if in doubt consult a chemical engineer . . .
Good post.
The only time extra octane would help would be if the computer was tuned to recognize the higher octane and could adjust (increase the timing).
93 octane makes the most sense and will cover you under all driving conditions. But if you are not stressing the motor, you will not need all the octane that 93 provides.
So if you are cruising on the highway at say 3000 rpm at light throttle openings, 87 will be fine. But if you accelerate hard, or floor the throttle at low rpm, you will put much more stress on the motor. Doing that for long periods of time will not be good for the motor.
Conversely, if you track the car, you would be foolish NOT to use 93 octane.
Here, 93 octane is about $.50 a gallon more than regular. If you use 10 gallons a week, that is $5 per week or $260 per year. Over 4 years, it is about $1000.
Regards,
Jerry
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 393
From: In the here and now, for now.
Shucks, I can remember when gas was 23¢ a gallon.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
Interesting info here http://energy.gov/eere/vehicles/fact...rice-1929-2015
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
he only time extra octane would help would be if the computer was tuned to recognize the higher octane and could adjust (increase the timing).
93 octane makes the most sense and will cover you under all driving conditions. But if you are not stressing the motor, you will not need all the octane that 93 provides.
So if you are cruising on the highway at say 3000 rpm at light throttle openings, 87 will be fine. But if you accelerate hard, or floor the throttle at low rpm, you will put much more stress on the motor. Doing that for long periods of time will not be good for the motor.
you are wise my friend .... I'd say the same applies to "regular" .....
if you seldom "stomp it" or never do ..... the extra octane is not needed. To tell ya the truth, until I bought my current dd with a standard equipment 'boost' gauge .... I never realized how seldom it was kicking in . . .
got a tune??? can alter the story
93 octane makes the most sense and will cover you under all driving conditions. But if you are not stressing the motor, you will not need all the octane that 93 provides.
So if you are cruising on the highway at say 3000 rpm at light throttle openings, 87 will be fine. But if you accelerate hard, or floor the throttle at low rpm, you will put much more stress on the motor. Doing that for long periods of time will not be good for the motor.
you are wise my friend .... I'd say the same applies to "regular" .....
if you seldom "stomp it" or never do ..... the extra octane is not needed. To tell ya the truth, until I bought my current dd with a standard equipment 'boost' gauge .... I never realized how seldom it was kicking in . . .
got a tune??? can alter the story
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 8
he only time extra octane would help would be if the computer was tuned to recognize the higher octane and could adjust (increase the timing).
93 octane makes the most sense and will cover you under all driving conditions. But if you are not stressing the motor, you will not need all the octane that 93 provides.
So if you are cruising on the highway at say 3000 rpm at light throttle openings, 87 will be fine. But if you accelerate hard, or floor the throttle at low rpm, you will put much more stress on the motor. Doing that for long periods of time will not be good for the motor.
93 octane makes the most sense and will cover you under all driving conditions. But if you are not stressing the motor, you will not need all the octane that 93 provides.
So if you are cruising on the highway at say 3000 rpm at light throttle openings, 87 will be fine. But if you accelerate hard, or floor the throttle at low rpm, you will put much more stress on the motor. Doing that for long periods of time will not be good for the motor.
you are wise my friend ....
I'd say the same applies to "regular" .....
if you seldom "stomp it" or never do ..... the extra octane is not needed.
if you seldom "stomp it" or never do ..... the extra octane is not needed.
Yes, absolutely. But the odds of "stomping on it" (in a supercharged car) are a lot greater than just seldom
To tell ya the truth, until I bought my current dd with a standard equipment 'boost' gauge .... I never realized how seldom it was kicking in .
got a tune??? can alter the story
Wish I could find a good spot for a boost gauge in the R52; with Nav, not much room around the tach and speedo.
Regards,
Jerry
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 87
From: Pacific NW
The owner's manual says to use premium gasoline, so I use premium gasoline, in my state, that means 92 octane, (R+M)/2 method. It costs $0.20 a gallon more than regular, a couple of bucks more per tank.
Only a cheapskate would put regular gas in their MINI.
Only a cheapskate would put regular gas in their MINI.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 7
From: California
"Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI is:
Cooper S, John Cooper Works:89
Cooper:87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This
has no effect on the engine life."
The gen2 cars are very different...
Do me a favor....check that you have the right year owners manual...
Know for a fact, even the PDF version, 90 was the minimum octane for most of the gen1 cars, including my 2005. Maybe they changed something one year...but the wording you see did not appear till try switched to the "Prince" engine.
Do me a favor....check that you have the right year owners manual...
Know for a fact, even the PDF version, 90 was the minimum octane for most of the gen1 cars, including my 2005. Maybe they changed something one year...but the wording you see did not appear till try switched to the "Prince" engine.
FWIW, I will be switching to 91.
I broke out the manual and here is what it says on page 101 / 102:
Required Fuel
Super Premium gasoline AKI / 91
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87. If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.
I broke out the manual and here is what it says on page 101 / 102:
Required Fuel
Super Premium gasoline AKI / 91
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87. If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.
Running lower octane all the time is like following the recommended oil change interval of 15-17K. You're saving a little now, but probably going to pay for it later...
http://www.*********************/pdf...IAllModels.pdf
from a 2005 manual..MINI has them online
the 87 is for prince motors..aka gen2!!
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is determined
according to the so-called (R+M)/2
Do not use leaded gasoline, as otherwise
the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15%
MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled mainte............
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is determined
according to the so-called (R+M)/2
Do not use leaded gasoline, as otherwise
the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15%
MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled mainte............
the 87 is for prince motors..aka gen2!!
Last edited by ZippyNH; May 20, 2016 at 10:29 AM. Reason: http://www.*********************/pdf/manuals/2005MINIAllModels.pdf
:e ek2:
: eek2:
:impatient :
the pdf i used was hosted on a competing site...it is current..but this site ***** out the same
http://www.*********************/pdf.../2006_MINI.pdf
Fuel tank volume
Approx. 13.2 gallons/50 liters, of which
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is
totally empty. Otherwise engine
operations are not guaranteed and damage
could occur.<
Fuel quality
Do not fill the tank with leaded gasoline;
otherwise the catalytic converter will be
permanently damaged.
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is determined
according to the so-called (R+M)/
2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise
the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15%
MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.<
Manual release with the MINI
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manually.
1. Remove the side trim panel on the lefthand
side of the luggage compartment
2. Pull the white lever toward the rear.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
Manual release with the MINI
Convertible
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manually.
1. Remove the cover of the side trim panel
on the left-hand side, see arrow 1
2. Pull the green strap toward the rear, see
arrow 2.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
101OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE INFLATION PR
you have been warned This is especially true once you add a pulley..it INCREASES the need for octane due to HOTTER intake temps.
Last edited by ZippyNH; May 20, 2016 at 10:45 AM. Reason: sorry..its from a competing website..maybe some bad blood, they host it!!
This is what the 2010 Clubman manual actually says:
"Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI is:
Cooper S, John Cooper Works:89
Cooper:87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This
has no effect on the engine life."
"Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI is:
Cooper S, John Cooper Works:89
Cooper:87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This
has no effect on the engine life."
it could cause a gen1 guy about $2500 in a valve and head job, possible a motor on a hot day.....
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 256
Likes: 41
From: Portland, OR
+1 on that. My '06 R53 paper manual just says 91, no mention of 87. The ECU should be able to correct for some knock due to gas variance and environment (how accurate is gas formulation anyway?) but I don't care to find out exactly how far I can push it.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 7
From: California
And I was responding to a 2010 Clubman S owner whom I directly quoted in that post.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
For the record, I'm not saying any of you are wrong. I rechecked my hard copy manual, it is copyright dated 2006 on page 2.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual (from Mini's own site) dated 07 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m...0907__2008.pdf
~~fyi, my manual says this same thing - but mine are on page 101/102~~
Bottom of Page 105:
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
Top of page 106:
REFUELING
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with
less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rating, the engine may produce knocking
sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine
life.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual dated 05 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
www.*********************.com/pdf/manuals/2006_MINI.pdf - Believe it or not, NAM keeps blocking this link to Motoring Alliance - so it's not posting.
Same book here: http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...manual2006.pdf
Bottom of page 99:
Fuel quality
Do not fill the tank with leaded gasoline; otherwise the catalytic converter will be
permanently damaged.
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2method.
Top of page 100:
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged
They can't both be correct, can they? FWIW - I have changed to premium so it's kind of irrelevant at this point. I'd also like to believe that 91/93 are not the only choices and that you can use a lower grade in an emergency without damaging the engine.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual dated 06 - this IS my manual (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible). According to this, maybe I have the manual for an 07 vert?
http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...onvertible.pdf
Bottom of page 101
Fuel quality
Do not fill the tank with leaded gasoline; otherwise the catalytic converter will be permanently damaged. Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 85 % ethanol, nor with flex fuel. Otherwise the engine and fuel supply system will be damaged.
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
Top of page 102
REFUELING
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with
less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87. If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI
rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside tem-
peratures. This has no effect on the engine life.
----------------------------------------
Same site as the one just before this, manual dated 05 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...manual2006.pdf
Bottom of page 99
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Top of page 100
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise the lambda probe and catalytic converter will be permanently damaged.
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. Fuels containing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship.
----------------------------------------
Incidentally, here's the Gen 2 manual (dated 2010).
http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m...0210__2010.pdf
Page 103:
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise, permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result. Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 85% ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise, the engine and fuel supply system will be damaged.
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91. This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
Cooper S, John Cooper Works: 89
Cooper: 87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual (from Mini's own site) dated 07 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m...0907__2008.pdf
~~fyi, my manual says this same thing - but mine are on page 101/102~~
Bottom of Page 105:
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
Top of page 106:
REFUELING
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with
less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rating, the engine may produce knocking
sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine
life.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual dated 05 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
www.*********************.com/pdf/manuals/2006_MINI.pdf - Believe it or not, NAM keeps blocking this link to Motoring Alliance - so it's not posting.
Same book here: http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...manual2006.pdf
Bottom of page 99:
Fuel quality
Do not fill the tank with leaded gasoline; otherwise the catalytic converter will be
permanently damaged.
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2method.
Top of page 100:
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged
They can't both be correct, can they? FWIW - I have changed to premium so it's kind of irrelevant at this point. I'd also like to believe that 91/93 are not the only choices and that you can use a lower grade in an emergency without damaging the engine.
----------------------------------------
Here's a manual dated 06 - this IS my manual (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible). According to this, maybe I have the manual for an 07 vert?
http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...onvertible.pdf
Bottom of page 101
Fuel quality
Do not fill the tank with leaded gasoline; otherwise the catalytic converter will be permanently damaged. Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 85 % ethanol, nor with flex fuel. Otherwise the engine and fuel supply system will be damaged.
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
Top of page 102
REFUELING
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with
less AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87. If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI
rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside tem-
peratures. This has no effect on the engine life.
----------------------------------------
Same site as the one just before this, manual dated 05 (with the picture of a Gen 1 mini on the cover and stated for Mini and Mini convertible).
http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...manual2006.pdf
Bottom of page 99
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Top of page 100
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise the lambda probe and catalytic converter will be permanently damaged.
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. Fuels containing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship.
----------------------------------------
Incidentally, here's the Gen 2 manual (dated 2010).
http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m...0210__2010.pdf
Page 103:
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise, permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result. Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 85% ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise, the engine and fuel supply system will be damaged.
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91. This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
Cooper S, John Cooper Works: 89
Cooper: 87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
Last edited by MiniTigger; May 21, 2016 at 08:08 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 7
From: California
"They can't both be correct, can they?"
Maybe. My 2010 Cooper manual said 91 recommended, 87 ok but the label inside the gas door said 91 required. I asked MINIUSA about the incompatible statements and they said 91 is "required" to ensure attainment of the EPA estimates on mpg and emissions but 87 would not harm the engine.
Over 5,000 miles of alternating 89 and 91 I found no significant difference in mileage. In fact 89 was ever so slightly better.
Maybe. My 2010 Cooper manual said 91 recommended, 87 ok but the label inside the gas door said 91 required. I asked MINIUSA about the incompatible statements and they said 91 is "required" to ensure attainment of the EPA estimates on mpg and emissions but 87 would not harm the engine.
Over 5,000 miles of alternating 89 and 91 I found no significant difference in mileage. In fact 89 was ever so slightly better.
Last edited by hsautocrosser; May 24, 2016 at 09:39 AM. Reason: corrected typo