using non premium fuel

[tivoboy]

Originally Posted by curtis

When I picked up my car a couple weeks ago My dealer told me SMART said it is OK to use non Premium Fuel. He said they still advise using it for best performance however. Was anyone else told this? My salesman, Tony, just returned from a weeks worth of training by Smart USA.

I think that the dealer should have told you it was "required" which is what smart says. Many cars say recommended, some do say required. I figure premium is going to cost me about 50$ a year

[deltadart]

Here in Iowa we have 3 choices of gas. We have 87 octane that most cars use. Ethanol is the 89 octane(10% blend) fuel and 92 octane. A couple of years ago they tried to make it mandatory that ALL fuel sold here had to be an ethanol blend. That didn't happen but I think some states(Minnesota?)that is the law. The ethanol mandate is going to have to change. Ethanol helps but it's not the answer. It needs to come from other sources besides corn.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by SubSlr88

... <rant>...</rant>

There is another substance that can raise both the anti-knock index and power at the same time and is non-polluting - water. More particularly, water injection.

Most engine knocking happens under high stress and hard acceleration situations and subsides at steady speeds. Beginning many decades ago, high performance, reciprocating-engined aircraft used water injection during take-offs and high climbing rates to gain more power and to control detonation. It wasn't used continuously. Actually, some methanol was mixed with the water to keep it from freezing.

I s'pose it would be possible devise a similar water injection system and have the ECU decide when to initiate injection just as it determines when to retard timing when it begins to sense knocking.

[SharonRB]

My dealer told me not to use anything less than the recommended 91 octane. Period. And my dealer is part of headquarters. 'Nuff said.

[xcrew229x]

The issue that will not die. The only cars that actually require premium fuel are supercharged and turbocharged, due to the fact that the knock sensors cannot react fast enough to boost to dial back the timing, leading to engine killing detonation. ALL the others will run fine on it. The only difference between brands is additive packages, and those vary from seller to seller. Amen.

[RVGRINGO]

From time to time, we run into a Pemex station that is out of premium fuel and we just go ahead and fill up with regular. There is no apparent difference in the way the engine runs. However, premium (92 Octane here in Mexico) is specified here and we usually use it. By the way, our gasoline is still about $2.60 per gallon here. Eat your hearts out.

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

However, premium (92 Octane here in Mexico) is specified here and we usually use it. By the way, our gasoline is still about $2.60 per gallon here. Eat your hearts out.

I have chosen to stay calm and not say anything snarky about Mexico, cheap gas or not. My heart, needless to say, remains firmly entrenched in my chest cavity. Enjoy your Smartie!

[RVGRINGO]

Hi Unicycle.
Modern Mexico may surprise you. We love it! Guadalajara is a beautiful, world class city and has almost perpetual springtime weather. We're 35 miles south, on Lake Chapala, where thousands of other Americans, Canadians and Europeans have also chosen to settle. Our Smartie takes us to Pacific beaches in half a day and to neighboring states for visits to 'alpine' villages or volcanoes, Aztec ruins, etc. etc. It sure beats retiring back home in the USA, yet we can 'Smart' ourselves up there in a day and a half to the border. However, we find ourselves finding fewer and fewer reasons to do so. Use Google to explore Mexico, then come for a visit in your Smartie.

[bradgarbus]

I agree about the hydrogen, but it takes a lot of power to make hydrogen at a commercial level. Thats it's only downfall.
Hmmm, Maybe solar to make the hydrogen... Makes good sense.?!

[imcquade]

I know that people have different opinions on this; here is what happened to me:

My 1988 Cavalier used knock if you accelerated hard and had less than 89 - if you used this grade no knocking.

My 1993 Corolla happily ran for 250,000 miles on 87 (and bought at the cheapest (and often sh**iest) no name gas stations) - I gave her away to my wifes friend who drove it for ages (and I know fed it crap gas) - she gave it to her mother - it still runs well, strong and doesn't blow black poop out the back and is well into the 300,000 mile mark.

My 04 Jeep has 100,000 miles and hasn't complained about 87

Our 08 Yaris is supping 87

My Smart.... well, can't lie... since the book says 93 - I pay extra buck 50 to 2 bucks and use it

Cheers