Fuel req for V6

[Sim]

What juice do you feed your car?

I've been driving throughout US and finding that in some states regular unleaded is not for sale.

What's the proper fuel to select when 87 is not available?



In aviation when required fuel is not available, then it's always required to go up one level. What about cars?

Quote from Owner Manual
"3.8 engine
Your new vehicle is designed to use only
unleaded fuel having a pump octane
number ((R+M)/2) of 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher."

 

[ctrcbob]

The only time I have not seen 87 octane is at higher elevations. When I go to Roswell NM, their "regular" is 86 octane. I always use this with no problems, with many cars, including my Continental that calls for "91 premium" and my Genesis that says I can use either premium or regular unleaded. I have also seen 85 octane in some much higher altitudes. Cars in higher altitudes run just fine with lower octane.

When at higher altitudes, don't worry about using the lower octane gas.

 

[Sim]

Somewhere in New Mexico I loaded up my car with 85. Afterwords I started worrying a bit. Thanks.

 

[TJPark01]

Putting 85 in your car at higher elevations is totally fine. At sea level putting anything more than 87 in your car is pretty much a waste of money, unless you're on a race track. For normal everyday driving, regular gas is the way to go. Octane ratings and fuel quality have nothing to do with each other, people make this assumption all the time and they're wrong.