Regular (87 Octane) Gas in WRX?
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Regular (87 Octane) Gas in WRX?
So, the manual says something like use premium gas only, but it's OK to use lesser grades from time to time.
Some people say the requirement to use higher grade is bogus, but I don't know.
But I do know that premium gas is like 2.40 on average per gallon in so. Cal. and it takes between $30-35 to fill the tank.
Like most of you all, I love my wrx, but these prices are killing me.
Is the high grade really a must-have? Or could I get regular gas and add octane boost? Does it really matter?
Any serious answers are much appreciated.
Some people say the requirement to use higher grade is bogus, but I don't know.
But I do know that premium gas is like 2.40 on average per gallon in so. Cal. and it takes between $30-35 to fill the tank.
Like most of you all, I love my wrx, but these prices are killing me.
Is the high grade really a must-have? Or could I get regular gas and add octane boost? Does it really matter?
Any serious answers are much appreciated.
I heard somewhere that if you use poor quality gas, it can be detrimental to your engine over time. Performance will decrease, and overall, it's just not good for the engine. The engine was designed to run on at least 91 octane. I wouldn't take the chance. Like AzN said, it's only a couple bucks difference.
Re: Regular (87 Octane) Gas in WRX?
Originally posted by sdcp
So, the manual says something like use premium gas only, but it's OK to use lesser grades from time to time.
So, the manual says something like use premium gas only, but it's OK to use lesser grades from time to time.
It does NOT say that. It says you may use a lesser grade temporarily if you have no other option. It then says something along the lines to replace it immediately once you find 91 octane or better.
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Guys, if you can't afford the extra $3-4 per tank of gas, you need a cheaper car.
If you absolutely positively cannot get any 91 to out in your car you can run at 89 or even 87 for s hort time. You have to stay out of boost and out of full throttle. This applies even to Cobb's 87 octane map. DO NOT buy an AccessPort for the purposes of running 87 octane. For one thing, you're spending $500 to save $3 a tank... duh. For another, the car makes no boost on that map and timing is pulled so far you'd get walked by a Neon... a 5 year old ex-rental Neon.
Trust me on this- if you want to save gas money, drive less. Consolidate trips, drive slower, no "fun runs" on the backroads, and find a way to stay out of the car more often.
If you absolutely positively cannot get any 91 to out in your car you can run at 89 or even 87 for s hort time. You have to stay out of boost and out of full throttle. This applies even to Cobb's 87 octane map. DO NOT buy an AccessPort for the purposes of running 87 octane. For one thing, you're spending $500 to save $3 a tank... duh. For another, the car makes no boost on that map and timing is pulled so far you'd get walked by a Neon... a 5 year old ex-rental Neon.
Trust me on this- if you want to save gas money, drive less. Consolidate trips, drive slower, no "fun runs" on the backroads, and find a way to stay out of the car more often.
Last edited by Kevin M; Apr 3, 2004 at 09:02 AM.
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Yeah, what he said! Paying more for high grade gas is just the sacrifice you make for owning a turbo vehicle. You can feel the difference between a tank of 87 and a tank of 91. Imagine my predicament.... here in Japan, a tank of crap gas (87) from the base gas station costs about 14-16 dollars, a few bucks more if you use an octane booster. Japanese Hayoku (high grade) gas has about a 93-95 octane rating and is 108 yen per LITRE! With the exchange rate almost even, thats a $1.08 a litre. It costs me about 54 bucks to fill up, every week, and more if I burn a tank racing over a weekend. If I try to go with the cheap crap, the car runs like.... crap. If you love your car, spend the extra cash. Its worth it.
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okay here is some messed up philosophy that a co-worker totally confused me with. running basically stock he said that its best to run 87 then add like an octane booster. i'm like "you're stupid". we both know that in our training manuals that subaru recommends 93. . . so my mental dilemma is this why not 92 and then octane boost(yes i know the "facts")... whats the difference(other than points) is it possible to make too much octane meaning the gas won't fire quick enough?? my friend kinda messed me up mentally.


