Proper octane choice

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T.Hanson
Posts: 1696
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:39 am

Proper octane choice

Post by T.Hanson »

Box stock 528i. The corner gas station offers 87, 89, 92 octane,... black type on yellow squares.

That's it, and I am too lazy, uneducated to have played the translation game, RON, EPA, ethanol mix, blah, blah toot.

I have run 87 for years, no audio knocking, noticeable plug effects. Have I been lucky, stupid, depriving myself of zoomy fun ?
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Mike W.
Posts: 2889
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

8.2:1 compression. Unless you're cranking in a ton of extra advance, basic 87 regular is all you should need. And aside from should, if it's not pinging or detonating you don't need any more.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
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