Do not use low octane gas. We just replaced the entire head on a MCS after the owner repeatedly filled up with 87 octane. It can really do some damage.


_________________

 

Don't worry about it. Use premium next time if it makes you feel better. A lot of the European cars imported into the U.S. state that they must use higher octane fuels. Even the higher compression cars like the Minis are unlikely to pre-detonate on the low octane regular fuels found in the U.S. The compression ratios of these cars is not nearly high enough to notice the diffference between the 87 octane and "premium" 91 octane fuel. One difference is that in Europe some of the sub-90 octane fuels are leaded or low-lead fuel and these fuels are not recommended at all for use in Minis. Since these fuels are not available in the U.S. its not a problem.

One difference is the higher octane fuels are slightly cleaner burning and all the emission standards the cars must pass for import are performed while running premium fuel, which is why I believe they recommend 93/94 octane fuel. So let yor environmental concerns be the guide for fuel selection if that's what appeals to you. I doubt the small difference in octane will change the mileage or performane in any noticeable way.

 

Open the gas tank lid- let the gas evaporate- check each 3 days by starting the car to check on the progress. Then refill with the better stuff.

Or add some moth ***** to the botched tank of gas to increase the octane.

Honestly it isn't a big problem at all. But my MINI always gets the good clean higher octane stuff. Better performance and better gas mileage, cleaner running-less dirty innards.Maybe longer engine life.

 

I used regular one time and the monkey spanked me.

 

I was thinking of Jet fuel........J/K

 

Gasoline distributors would get a good laugh out of this thread.

 

I did this to my parents Honda Accord. Physically there was no damage. But the timing was off when the spark hit so after a while the car died. My only advice if the car is running still is to keep topping it off with unleaded.

 

>>I did this to my parents Honda Accord. Physically there was no damage. But the timing was off when the spark hit so after a while the car died. My only advice if the car is running still is to keep topping it off with unleaded.

Great advice! Of course, I doubt if the car is still running. They would have run out of gas by now. And where can you get leaded gas these days?
:smile:

Regards,
Red

 

Note that if you run leaded gas in a car with a catalytic converter, you will destroy the converter. In the process, it will become extremely hot and possibly cause your car to catch fire.

 

In all seriousness, I read an article in one of the car mags where they ran 87 octane in cars that required premium gas (one was a BMW, there was a Dodge Challenger, etc.) and their biggest takeaway was loss of horsepower. I don't remember anything about sparkknock just that the cars don't perform as well as they can without the extra octane. So, no danger in it short term at least.

 

resurrection of a 2003 thread . . .

 

Digging for some life in the graveyard forum, and all could be found are some long buried skeletons.