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CharlieL
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
15:18:52
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 Subject: Octane opinion
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The owners manual for my 04 Dak (4.7, 5-speed auto, 2wd) recommends the use of 87 octane (seeming to assume 87 is lowest), & essentially says higher octane results in lower mpg & isn't good for the engine. Locally my choices are 86 / 88 / 91.
Question - In your opinion, what would be recommended octane to use for round-town driving &/or when towing?
Thanks for any input.
CharlieL
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Rustywrenches
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
15:39:49
|  RE: Octane opinion
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I would use the 88 octane since the 86 octane is too low as per the owners manual.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
16:20:08
| RE: Octane opinion
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i'd try the 86. if it pings go with the 88. i don't think one octane point on a stock motor is going to hurt anything.
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
16:43:37
| RE: Octane opinion
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The higher the octane number, the slower the fuel burns. I agree and would try 86 octane and if there is no pinging, stick with it considering gas prices these days.
I have also heard people say it is better to run a higher grade fuel, but don't believe so as long as you engine is running ok.
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Obio3
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
17:24:44
| RE: Octane opinion
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The majority is correct. The lower the octain you can run the better your engine likes it provided no pinging. the higher the octain is the slower the burn. This is the reason higher octain stops pinging. By burning slower it effectivly but not actually retards firing. What I'm saying is it takes longer for total saturation of the burning fuel.
So many problems .... So little time
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
23:10:36
| RE: Octane opinion
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Also, altitude will affect your engine's octane requirements. An enging designed for fuel with an octane of 87 might be quite happy on 85 octane fuel if the altitude is 4000+ft. As suggested by those above, though, experimentation is the key to peace-of-mind.
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clint
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2006
23:21:38
| RE: Octane opinion
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screw it. run 93. it cant hurt nothin!! except your budget lol
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
8/29/2006
06:48:45
|  RE: Octane opinion
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FYI - General information ...
WHAT OCTANE SHOULD I USE ?
Most production street vehicles, even high performance ones, are not going to benefit from anything higher than the recommended octane. So it only really becomes an issue if you are unfortunate enough to live in a state that has made unavailable the octane your engine was intended to burn (like California).
__________________________________________________
It’s been my observation that if an engine does not require high-octane fuel, it will run cleaner and better on the fuel it was designed for.
Octane rating is a measure of the fuel's resistance to pre-ignition. High-octane is specified by manufacturers when the engine requires it. High compression, high temps, or turbo engines will do better with high octane due to its slower burn rate.
Basically, the numbers you see at the pumps only indicate the anti-knock index of the fuel. It is measured using RON + MON and the divided by 2 (R+M)/2. In short, RON (Research Octane Number) measures the fuel's anti-knock index simulating light load, typical street, normal driving conditions. MON (Motor Octane Number) measures the fuel's anti-knock index simulating high-speed, high load conditions.
They used to post the RON and MON octane numbers in small print on the pumps but I haven't noticed this lately.
Run what your owners mauual specifies. Put the high-octane in an engine designed for 87 and you have incomplete combustion ... and a waste of 20 cents per gallon.
__________
I see a lot of guys using OCTANE BOOSTERS.
Most "Octane Boosters" use the phrase "up to", as in "raises" the Octane Level
"up to" 10 points .............. so you may only go up 1-9 points, and maybe 10.
HERE IS THE CATCH
... a point is --- (unfortunately) ... just a decimal point.
Therefore:
"10 points" brings you from 93 octane to 94
"5 points" brings you from 93 octane to 93.5
"1 point" brings you from 93 octane to 93.1
IMHO Octane Boosters are not to be used as a daily fuel additive.
*** Use only for qualifying runs and actual racing events.
I am NOT a big fan of the products.
__________________________________________________
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/29/2006
08:16:37
| RE: Octane opinion
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CharlieL - I'm surprised no one has asked what altitude you live at - often when lower octanes are offered, its at altitudes where lower octanes may work because of lower pressure. If you're not at higher altitude, stick with at least 87 - experimenting with lower octanes near sea level could cause engine damage. Mixing the 86 and 88 would give you about 87.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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CharlieL
Dodge Dakota
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8/29/2006
11:18:00
| RE: Octane opinion
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Message:
Thanks for the great info & input. As always there is plenty of opinion on this website! I live in Albuquerque, NM - elevation here is 5,300. Most of my driving is in the state, where elevations run from a low of 2,842 to 13,161(mountain peak). The mean is 5,700 feet. From what I've ascertained, the octane mix at the higher elevations (altitudes) is lower than that at lower elevations. Must be the thinner air. I'll keep running 86 (regular) in my truck.
However, what's the opinion about using mid-grade when towing? Anyone do that, or have experience in doing so? Any change in performance, advantage, etc?
Thanks again!!!
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/29/2006
13:07:14
| RE: Octane opinion
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There's no extra power in mid grade - just more resistant to knocking - so if you are knocking when towing, it can help. Other than that, it would likely be a waste, for a stock truck.
For those with advanced ignition timing for higher performance, you may have to go with more octane when towing. That is why many flashes or programs that advance timing advise against towing. While the flash I got advised against towing, I found it was fine if I used premium just for towing.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Old Dak
Dodge Dakota
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8/29/2006
14:13:36
| RE: Octane opinion
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I,m going to wade in on this and come at it from a differant angle. If you have a vehicle that requires 87 fuel, the computer is mapped for that fuel. All factory info will tell you that going up one grade won,t hurt the engine. Up two grades and the computer can,t adjust for the different burn rate and it runs poorly. Running lower that needed and the knock sensor may be pulling back the timing without you knowing and run alittle poorer. If the truck runs OK on 86-great. But with the extra heat of towing, 88 would be safer.
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PB
Dodge Dakota
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8/29/2006
21:52:43
| RE: Octane opinion
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My dad runs 92(in his case premium) in his ram and we live around 1000 feet and he gets 5+mpg better than any other grade of gas it's still running like it should and if you anything lower octane in it i knocks like hell
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Jerry
Dodge Dakota
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8/30/2006
01:08:58
| RE: Octane opinion
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Whatever juice turns your car on I guess. My 99 Dak R/T runs fine on 87 , but my 2001 Durango R/T pings on 87 so I got the middle grade at 15 cents more a gallon and it still pings a little. The owner's manuel recommends 93 so I guess I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get highest grade. Owww, that's gotta hurt!
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Deerridge
GenIII
8/30/2006
12:14:34
| RE: Octane opinion
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MIne runs better and gets slightly better MPG on high octane. It tends to ping with 87. Probably the way its set up though. Advanced ignition etc. Pulls my trailers like no body's business though.
Real Horsepower
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RamAirKota
Dodge Dakota
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8/30/2006
13:12:50
| RE: Octane opinion
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I'm not sure about other trucks but for some reason my truck runs perfect on 89 octane if i go over that it seems like i get worse gas milage and lose power, like that also with 87 or lower I have a 2000 4.7 4x4 also goes with towing with mine too i live in Madsion WI
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/30/2006
14:47:17
| RE: Octane opinion
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Jerry - that pinging is very bad for your motor - better to bite the bullet for the octane you need than have to replace the motor...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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kj
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2006
19:58:54
| RE: Octane opinion
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Run the 88 octane. I can't imagine a place that doesn't offer 87.
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/13/2006
17:32:02
| RE: Octane opinion
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Usually places that don't offer 87 are at higher altitude where it is not needed...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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trucky
Dodge Dakota
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9/15/2006
03:11:31
| RE: Octane opinion
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hi everyone, my name is Travis and im a noob. i dont know much. I hear a lot about getting the right spark plugs and running the right fuel...or else pinging may occur. i know what knocking is...i think...but im not relly familiar with recognizing a ping if i hear it...so what is it
thank you for bearing with my retardedness...keep in mind im 19
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Ky_man
Dodge Dakota
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9/15/2006
03:35:35
| RE: Octane opinion
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Message:
Um, from what i know/ reacall, if you give a strong accelleration
and you hear like small little pings and dings in your motor, that's
hat it is. It's sounds like when you run over some small rocks and
they hit the under side of your truck, but in the engine
compartment. Correct me if i'm wrong guys. lol
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