Which Octane?

johnsama86 · 06-03-2013, 04:22 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I asked once and was answered but I want to hear from all our members if possible!

I was going through the owner's manual and read that AKI 93 octane is required and AKI 91 octane is minimum required.

Since our cars have turbos, would it be better to go with the recommended 93 octane or higher which includes some ethanol or just go with v-power 91 which is ethanol free.

Should we go for another Graph?

what do you feed to your monster?

V-power AKI 91 vs AKI 93 or above with Ethanol

URBAN LEGEND · 06-03-2013, 05:39 AM

My car gets 93 regardless of the engineer and chemical responses that will be typed below shortly.

Tomcat2048 · 06-03-2013, 08:01 AM

I use 93...no reason to use 91 unless that is the only thing available to you. Not sure how many states don't offer 93 octane but I know California is one of them...

chong0 · 06-03-2013, 09:38 AM

Sunoco used to offer 94, but i haven't seen that in a while.

Car and Driver and Roundel love Shell Formula bc apparently the detergents prevent buildup, but Shell definitely has a price markup around these parts and have not been making the effort to go solely with Shell.

Stash21 · 06-03-2013, 11:31 AM

I use 99

PatrickC23 · 06-03-2013, 11:33 AM

93 for me, not sure Ive ever seen 91 on the east coast.

johnsama86 · 06-03-2013, 11:53 AM

These being said already, I will go with Ultra 94 from Petro-Canada...

Protious · 06-03-2013, 12:36 PM

We only have 91, I miss 93.

stealth.pilot · 06-03-2013, 12:42 PM

I once used Conoco 100 Octane at a track and found absolutely no performance improvement. In fact my fastest time was on Shell 93.

I usually fill with Shell V-Power.

hinckley · 06-03-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protious

We only have 91, I miss 93.

Why is it that you can't get 93 octane in places like Texas and California?

URBAN LEGEND · 06-03-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Why is it that you can't get 93 octane in places like Texas and California?

Texas has 93.

h4nh · 06-03-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Why is it that you can't get 93 octane in places like Texas and California?

Because of emissions. They want you to buy low hp 4 cylinder gas savers

johnsama86 · 06-03-2013, 06:19 PM

Shell in my town has only 91 v-power T.T

py0413 · 06-03-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsama86

Shell in my town has only 91 v-power T.T

I have seen any shell station that has higher grade than 91 in Canada. I stick with chevron 94/93 or shell v-power 91 if those chevrons are closed when I needed gas.

Protious · 06-03-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinckley

Why is it that you can't get 93 octane in places like Texas and California?

Not all parts of Texas have 93 Octane, I'd be all over it.

Northern X5M · 06-04-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsama86

These being said already, I will go with Ultra 94 from Petro-Canada...

Same. Love that Petro Canada has this now and there are 2 stations near my house. Don't like the $1.49/L though lol.

Tom C · 06-04-2013, 09:32 AM

I have been using Shell 93 V-Power. However, I ran Sunoco 100 Octane unleaded in my GT-R for about 6 months so I could run a more aggressive tune all the time (I didn't daily drive it and probably only did about 3K miles in that time frame and it was available at the pump about 25 minutes from house). I am curious to see if there is any seat of the pants benefits to splashing some 100 octane.

BTW...Stash21 European's use a different rating method for gasoline. As the OP correctly points out he is referring to 91 and 93 octane as AKI (Anti Knock Index). AKI is just a mathematical average: (RON+MON)/2 or (Research Octane Number + Motor Octane Number)/2. For example, Tesco Momentum 99 Octane in GB would have a 99 RON rating (which is advertised) with an 87 MON rating (ignored). If that gas were sold in the U.S., it would have an AKI of 93 octane ((99 RON+87 MON)/2 = 93 AKI).

thebishman · 06-04-2013, 09:33 AM

The car will run fine on either 91 or 93 octane in the US, although over time you might notice a slight increase in power by using the 93. Probably not truly noticeable unless you dyno the car though. BTW, these US octane ratings are equivilent to 95 and 98 octane in the UK I believe.

As for unleaded race fuel, e.g. 100 unleaded: It is useful to add at least a quarter tank of this at a road course if you have access to it especially in hot/humid conditions as it will increase the overall octane rating of the petrol in the tank and provide a margin of safety regarding any chance of early detonation. Further, running multiple full tanks through the car would increase performance as the ECU adapts. Again though, this increase in performance would be marginal without a re-flash.
Bish

Tom C · 06-04-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebishman

The car will run fine on either 91 or 93 octane in the US, although over time you might notice a slight increase in power by using the 93. Probably not truly noticeable unless you dyno the car though. BTW, these US octane ratings are equivilent to 95 and 98 octane in the UK I believe.

As for unleaded race fuel, e.g. 100 unleaded: It is useful to add at least a quarter tank of this at a road course if you have access to it especially in hot/humid conditions as it will increase the overall octane rating of the petrol in the tank and provide a margin of safety regarding any chance of early detonation. Further, running multiple full tanks through the car would increase performance as the ECU adapts. Again though, this increase in performance would be marginal without a re-flash.
Bish

+1

Rob///M5 · 06-04-2013, 11:13 AM

I ran 100 at the track and felt no appreciable gains. Lots going on in that environment though, so hard to tell without proper measurement.

Tom C · 06-04-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

I ran 100 at the track and felt no appreciable gains. Lots going on in that environment though, so hard to tell without proper measurement.

What were the track temps like?

UniqueCheese · 06-04-2013, 12:03 PM

You get more energy released from the lower octane stuff, but you can't run the timing as far forwards at high revs and boost. See what works for you is the answer. For me, since I'll be majorly around town, I'm going to use the lower octane stuff, and sacrifice a little top end.

06-03-2013, 04:22 AM	#1
johnsama86 Private First Class 18 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 19" G05 40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [10.00]	Which Octane? Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I asked once and was answered but I want to hear from all our members if possible! I was going through the owner's manual and read that AKI 93 octane is required and AKI 91 octane is minimum required. Since our cars have turbos, would it be better to go with the recommended 93 octane or higher which includes some ethanol or just go with v-power 91 which is ethanol free. Should we go for another Graph? what do you feed to your monster? V-power AKI 91 vs AKI 93 or above with Ethanol
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06-03-2013, 05:39 AM	#2
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 412 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	My car gets 93 regardless of the engineer and chemical responses that will be typed below shortly.
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06-03-2013, 08:01 AM	#3
Tomcat2048 Private 2 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	I use 93...no reason to use 91 unless that is the only thing available to you. Not sure how many states don't offer 93 octane but I know California is one of them...
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06-03-2013, 09:38 AM	#4
chong0 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 317 Posts Drives: '16 X5 5.0 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Sunoco used to offer 94, but i haven't seen that in a while. Car and Driver and Roundel love Shell Formula bc apparently the detergents prevent buildup, but Shell definitely has a price markup around these parts and have not been making the effort to go solely with Shell. __________________ '22 Macan GTS '21 911 C2S '20 Cayenne '16 X5 50i M-sport (3rd row!)
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06-03-2013, 11:31 AM	#5
Stash21 First Lieutenant 37 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 2019 M5C Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: North Wales. iTrader: (0)	I use 99
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06-03-2013, 11:33 AM	#6
PatrickC23 Colonel 184 Rep 2,245 Posts Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW ///M5 [0.00]	93 for me, not sure Ive ever seen 91 on the east coast. __________________ 2016 991.1 911 Carrera GTS 2016 F85 X5M - Carbon Black/Mugello Red
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06-03-2013, 11:53 AM	#7
johnsama86 Private First Class 18 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 19" G05 40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [10.00]	These being said already, I will go with Ultra 94 from Petro-Canada...
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06-03-2013, 12:36 PM	#8
Protious Private First Class 30 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	We only have 91, I miss 93.
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06-03-2013, 12:42 PM	#9
stealth.pilot Knight Commander 559 Rep 5,948 Posts Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Buckhead iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	I once used Conoco 100 Octane at a track and found absolutely no performance improvement. In fact my fastest time was on Shell 93. I usually fill with Shell V-Power. __________________ 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
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06-03-2013, 06:19 PM	#13
johnsama86 Private First Class 18 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 19" G05 40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [10.00]	Shell in my town has only 91 v-power T.T
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06-04-2013, 09:32 AM	#17
Tom C Captain 45 Rep 646 Posts Drives: M8 GC Comp, Shelby GT500 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I have been using Shell 93 V-Power. However, I ran Sunoco 100 Octane unleaded in my GT-R for about 6 months so I could run a more aggressive tune all the time (I didn't daily drive it and probably only did about 3K miles in that time frame and it was available at the pump about 25 minutes from house). I am curious to see if there is any seat of the pants benefits to splashing some 100 octane. BTW...Stash21 European's use a different rating method for gasoline. As the OP correctly points out he is referring to 91 and 93 octane as AKI (Anti Knock Index). AKI is just a mathematical average: (RON+MON)/2 or (Research Octane Number + Motor Octane Number)/2. For example, Tesco Momentum 99 Octane in GB would have a 99 RON rating (which is advertised) with an 87 MON rating (ignored). If that gas were sold in the U.S., it would have an AKI of 93 octane ((99 RON+87 MON)/2 = 93 AKI).
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06-04-2013, 09:33 AM	#18
thebishman Major 547 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ‘24 iX M60 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Overland Park, KS iTrader: (0)	The car will run fine on either 91 or 93 octane in the US, although over time you might notice a slight increase in power by using the 93. Probably not truly noticeable unless you dyno the car though. BTW, these US octane ratings are equivilent to 95 and 98 octane in the UK I believe. As for unleaded race fuel, e.g. 100 unleaded: It is useful to add at least a quarter tank of this at a road course if you have access to it especially in hot/humid conditions as it will increase the overall octane rating of the petrol in the tank and provide a margin of safety regarding any chance of early detonation. Further, running multiple full tanks through the car would increase performance as the ECU adapts. Again though, this increase in performance would be marginal without a re-flash. Bish
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06-04-2013, 11:13 AM	#20
Rob///M5 Major 76 Rep 1,341 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 SSII Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [10.00]	I ran 100 at the track and felt no appreciable gains. Lots going on in that environment though, so hard to tell without proper measurement. __________________
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06-04-2013, 12:03 PM	#22
UniqueCheese Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 210 Posts Drives: Was: F10 M5, Now: Ford F150 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1)	You get more energy released from the lower octane stuff, but you can't run the timing as far forwards at high revs and boost. See what works for you is the answer. For me, since I'll be majorly around town, I'm going to use the lower octane stuff, and sacrifice a little top end.
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