On the way home from the dealer where i bought my used (only 16,000 miles; can you beleive it! CARFAX verified, it is a gem) 2003 S model we needed gas. We were in a hurry and i guessed 89 would be ok. Shortly thereafter it started to knock some. I checked the manual and now realize it needs 91. Oops. Will everything be ok after a tank or two?? Any ideas?

 

Just pour a bottle of octane booster in; problem solved. It shouldn't hurt it, if you don't do it all the time (put 89 in that is).

BTW, welcome to NAM!

 

Drive the car gently, and top it off with the best octane you can find...maybe a can of octane boost.
a ping is usually ok, a knock/detonation is a bigger issue....
Only time will tell if you burnt a valve or something, but a onetime use is unlikly to be an issue.

 

Thanks for the quick response! We will post pics soon!

 

Not to thread jack, but is a octane booster a treat for your car even if you use 93 regularly?

 

Hi Cloudstrife,

Your MINI's ECU will actually work to de-tune out the extra octane. To use octane boost on top of 93 octane is actually detrimental to your engine... Not a treat. Hope this helps and happy motoring!

Chris

 

ummmmm ... while paying for extra octane is a waste of money please tell us why it is detrimental to the engine ..... to anything other than the wallet.

Running too low octane requires the engine to adjust to prevent pre-ignition. Extra high octane won't pre-ignite (causing knock) so what exactly does the computer do / what's wrong?

+++++

to OP

ever take chemistry in HS or college? Google 'octane' and get a basic understanding of what this term means. THEN you'll be able to draw your own conclusions. (from chemistry and internal combustion engine points of view, the Wiki write up AIN'T bad.)

I'm not an engineer but I slept in a Holiday Inn once.

 

waiting . . . .

 

if its pinging its knocking.
And thats never good. just put 91 in it next time. drive it easy till you empty the tank.