y3chen86

Last night, I was getting gas at a Shell gas station. I hit the 91 octane button... but the gas machine started dispensing 87! I didn't notice this until after about 10 gallons were put in the car. I had the gas attendant check and he did confirm that the gas machine was malfunctioning (I wasn't being an idiot).

So the car has a half tank of 87 octane... what should I do? I called the stealership and they said to just drive the car and fill up with 91 from here on out. Should I get an octane additive? Will there be any long term damage?

I'm meeting with the Shell store manager tomorrow and bring the situation to light and hope to put Shell responsible for any possible damage that may occur from this.

Thanks guys.

JohnEnglish

Your car will be fine. Just fill up the rest of the tank with 91. Octane additive won't do anything unless you're adding several gallons. When they say it raises octane one point they're not taling about 87 -> 88 they mean 87 -> 87.1.

If you read the manual you'll see that it says you can put in 87 in an emergency just to make sure you fill up with premium at your first opportunity.

Steveo47

iTrader: (8)

For this tank of gas, drive like a grandma. The manual says 87 can be used if you drive below 2.5 revs. Fill the rest with 91 and it will be fine. Just drive easy till the next fill

y3chen86

There won't be any startup issues, even if I keep the car under 2.5k RPM? What page in the manual does it say that?

aexis

Goto autozone and buy a fuel additive that you pour directly into your fuel tank. It will prevent knocking or pinging from lower octane fuel. It will also clean out your fuel system. Look for "Lucas Deep Clean", its about 10 bucks for a 16oz bottle that cleans up to 33 gallons of gas. Couldn't hurt, it even says it helps with octane issues. For 10 bucks I think it's worth the peace of mind.

JohnEnglish

I'll give you a hint. It's in the section called "fuel recommendation".

breftayka

iTrader: (13)

+1 for you'll be fine. There are plenty of cheap skates that always use 87 octane. You'll be fine, but top it off with premium whenever you get a chance.

y3chen86

Thank you everyone! This is really helpful and gives me a bit more peace of mind.

TVPostSound

iTrader: (9)

OMFG People.
Nothing will happen!! No damage will occur.
The car has 2 knock sensors in the block, it will retard the timing to avoid detonation, then will adapt to 87.

Drive the car normally until you can fill it up again.

chuckie311

iTrader: (3)

just fill the rest with 91 ull be fine

antirice

iTrader: (2)

There's absolutely no need to panic. I used to put only 87 when I leased my two G35s. Drives the same and got the same MPG.

TVPostSound

iTrader: (9)

And I only use 87 when given a loaner from the dealer.
How many people actually use 91 to top off a loaner??

wlmngtn

iTrader: (9)

lol
No offense, but you are definitely overreacting to the situation. A little 87 octane is not going to make your car blow up. Just be sure to fill up on 91 when your tank is near "E".

Romulus1

iTrader: (2)

add 10 gallons of 93, it will almost average out at 90 octane.....

what? thats close enought, right?

briann510

OMG....87 will be just fine in the car unless you stand on it WOT at every stop light or on the freeway. Even then it wont damage anything cause knock sensors will pick up any knock and instantly retard timing.
I filled ours up with 87 to take a trip and actually got 4 mpg better than running 91 octane in it the week prior on same trip. My wife doesn't need 91 octane the way she drives so we don't put it in normally now.