Recommended Fuel Octane For Towing?

211lostlake · September 7, 2010

Can anyone shed some light regarding use of higher octane gas when towing? I have an '09 Sierra 1500 5.3L, and will be towing a 4,500 lbs. travel trailer in the smokey mountains next week (from Texas).

I used to own a Honda Ridgeline, which recommended using premium only when towing. The Honda manual actually gave a good reason, but I can not find any such explanation in my GMC owners manual. Any thoughts?

[email protected] · September 7, 2010

Your truck is designed for 87 and will be fine, but 91 may give you extra piece of mind when pulling up hills in a higher gear.

dlstewart01 · September 7, 2010

If you are not tuned for it, there will be absolutely no benefit....

http://www.bajajusa.com/High%20Octane.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-high-octane-fuel.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

sc4808 · September 7, 2010

87 is all that I use, I towed my 31 ft TT across the country last November with no issues.

captainmorgan00 · September 7, 2010

If you are not tuned for it, there will be absolutely no benefit....

+1

If there is no need for the higher octane, why spend the extra money

211lostlake · September 8, 2010

Thanks, guys!

If you are not tuned for it, there will be absolutely no benefit....

+1

If there is no need for the higher octane, why spend the extra money

Turbo810 · September 8, 2010

The more octane you have, the longer the fuel takes to burn. So in order to use higher octane you need more compresion as well as advancing your timing. so definetly stay with 87 octane.

gtivr6 · September 8, 2010

I throw 93octane in my truck prob 1 time a month. Cleans the truck out.

dlstewart01 · September 8, 2010

I throw 93octane in my truck prob 1 time a month. Cleans the truck out.

I wonder how it does that???

The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline

Are you tempted to buy a high octane gasoline for your car because you want to improve its performance? If so, take note: the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won't make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner. Your best bet: listen to your owner's manual.

The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars.

Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

What are octane ratings?

Octane ratings measure a gasoline's ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump.

What's the right octane level for your car?

Check your owner's manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.

How can you tell if you're using the right octane level? Listen to your car's engine. If it doesn't knock when you use the recommended octane, you're using the right grade of gasoline.

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better?

As a rule, high octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car's engine. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.

Should you ever switch to a higher octane gasoline?

A few car engines may knock or ping - even if you use the recommended octane. If this happens, try switching to the next highest octane grade. In many cases, switching to the mid-grade or premium-grade gasoline will eliminate the knock. If the knocking or pinging continues after one or two fill-ups, you may need a tune-up or some other repair. After that work is done, go back to the lowest octane grade at which your engine runs without knocking.

Is knocking harmful?

Occasional light knocking or pinging won't harm your engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane. But don't ignore severe knocking. A heavy or persistent knock can lead to engine damage.

Is all "premium" or "regular" gasoline the same?

The octane rating of gasoline marked "premium" or "regular" is not consistent across the country. One state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for all premium gasoline, while another may allow 90 octane to be called premium. To make sure you know what

Crazy Canuck · September 8, 2010

I throw 93octane in my truck prob 1 time a month. Cleans the truck out.

I wonder how it does that???

The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline

Are you tempted to buy a high octane gasoline for your car because you want to improve its performance? If so, take note: the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won't make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner. Your best bet: listen to your owner's manual.

The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars.

Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

What are octane ratings?

Octane ratings measure a gasoline's ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump.

What's the right octane level for your car?

Check your owner's manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.

How can you tell if you're using the right octane level? Listen to your car's engine. If it doesn't knock when you use the recommended octane, you're using the right grade of gasoline.

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better?

As a rule, high octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car's engine. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.

Should you ever switch to a higher octane gasoline?

A few car engines may knock or ping - even if you use the recommended octane. If this happens, try switching to the next highest octane grade. In many cases, switching to the mid-grade or premium-grade gasoline will eliminate the knock. If the knocking or pinging continues after one or two fill-ups, you may need a tune-up or some other repair. After that work is done, go back to the lowest octane grade at which your engine runs without knocking.

Is knocking harmful?

Occasional light knocking or pinging won't harm your engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane. But don't ignore severe knocking. A heavy or persistent knock can lead to engine damage.

Is all "premium" or "regular" gasoline the same?

The octane rating of gasoline marked "premium" or "regular" is not consistent across the country. One state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for all premium gasoline, while another may allow 90 octane to be called premium. To make sure you know what

Exactly what he said. All things the same (A gasoline engine that is not designed for higher octane fuel), higher octane fuels contain less BTUs. This means it actually requires more of the higher octane fuel to produce the same amount of energy as that of the lower. I give enough of my money to the gas man now, let alone an extra 10 cents a litre (here) for a less than nothing!

[email protected] · September 8, 2010

I agree, 93 actually causes more carbon build up and actually dirties it up.

Bish · September 8, 2010

IMO only reason to use 93 is if you are tuned for it or if you get pinging under load or lots of knock retard under load. In the later case, your computer will retard the spark less to avoid ping with 93 and should give a little more power due to less spark retard.

I run premium exclusively in my Denali because that's what it is tuned for. In 60K miles of premium, there is zero sign of any buildup in the cylinder at least when I look through the spark plug hole. I don't see how higher octane fuel can cause carbon buildup or dirt buildup but what the hell do I know

tanked_darren · September 8, 2010

I got into an arguement about this awhile ago with someone on this forum, 87 octane is all you need, your wasting money if you use anything else, that is of course, unless you have your vehicle tuned for something else.

ken1mod · September 8, 2010

Gentlemen,

I agree with all of you about higher octane being a waste of money. Altitude makes a difference in some vehicles. I have never had a problem towing with 87 even on I 10 where it is 200 feet below sea level in my 5.3. I have had vehicles that knock like hell in that part of the country. Matter of fact, I blew up a Ford there once, broken piston but that is why I am back in a Chevy. In, Denver, Premium is only 89 octane and that is because of the altitude in Colorado.

If I were towing something very heavy in the Summer at very low altitudes, i might throw in a tank of premium just for fun but it should not be necessary.

I have never had a "cleaning" issue with the cheapest regular gas I can find. All gasolines are surprisingly good.

Ken

211lostlake · September 8, 2010

Well, I leave tomorrow and I just filled up with 87 octane (regular) gas. Thank you to all who replied. Upon my return, I will post mileage and towing results.