premium gas?

clarity · Post by **clarity** » 10 Mar 2006, 00:02

we just bought a 98 S70 with 95K miles. it is the newest volvo we've ever had, and we're wondering whether it needs premium gasoline, or whether the mid-grade will do. any opinions, advice?

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 10 Mar 2006, 07:54

If you live at a high altitude such as Denver you might need to use 89 or 91 octane. Most if not all Volvos will run fine on 87

Post by **pfeener** » 10 Mar 2006, 08:14

I have a 98 S70 GLT and have used regular gas for the entire 190K miles I've driven it. No problem; the salesman at the dealer was a real "Volvo guy" and he advvised using regular as well.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Mar 2006, 21:15

I have a T5 and use Premium (93 is highest they have around here) because the owner's manual recommends it....and it's more FUN!

jaljamma · Post by **jaljamma** » 12 Mar 2006, 10:02

I own a 850 97 T5 and I used regular gas from day one, no problem here

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 12 Mar 2006, 12:41

The car will run fine on the lower grade, but if you've got a lead foot, get the highest octane available. The octane rating of gasoline is its resistance to detonate (ignite from heat and pressure in the cylinder before spark from the spark plug ever reaches it). This is bad for the engine. This is why modern cars w/ EFI use knock sensors to detect detonation. When detonation is detected, the knock sensors will send a signal to the ECU and ignition timing or boost and/or add more fuel (depending on whether one is working with Motronic 4.3, Motronic 4.4, or ME7) will be retarded to prevent further detonation. The higher the octane, the less likely it is to detonate, and in turn, the more power the car is able to make safely.

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 13 Mar 2006, 07:54

Use the lowest octane that will not ping. If you hear pining or valves rattling wile you are accelerating or going up a hill you need to get a higher octane.

Our 850 runs great on 87 octane. My F150 and Electraglide require 89 octane. The 944Turbo needs a bottle of octane boost in with the 91 octane and 1/2 bottle with 93 octane.