What octane level for gas?

hatalov · Post by **hatalov** » 02 Jul 2007, 21:37

What octane level should i use in my 94 850. ive been using regular. will using a higher octane lavel increase performance or will it just ruin my car. what is actually recommended by volvo.

-thanks

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Jul 2007, 22:11

Look in your owner's manual...it will tell you. If you have a non-turbo, usually regular is okay...if you have a low pressure turbo, then mid-grade. High pressure turbo's almost always use high octane.

KlubMarcus · Post by **KlubMarcus** » 03 Jul 2007, 14:16

I use regular unleaded in a 1998 low pressure turbo V70 XC. Runs just fine. Maybe it's because I drive like an old woman.

I do agree that the high pressure turbo owners should use premium unleaded.

hatalov · Post by **hatalov** » 03 Jul 2007, 19:12

but can i use higher octane gas to get better performance out of my car? or will this just mess up my car.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Jul 2007, 19:31

but can i use higher octane gas to get better performance out of my car? or will this just mess up my car.

As was stated before, it depends on what engine you have. If you have a N/A motor a higher grade of gas won't do much for you in terms of performance. If you have a turbo, it will.

Under no circumstances, short of jet fuel, will running a higher octane fuel hurt your car.

In my case I actually get slightly worse mileage with "premium" as it is a 10% ethanol blend. The crazy thing is that premium sells at a 2 or 3 cent/gallon discount to regular in mid Missouri where I try to buy as much gasoline as possible. In the city they have some witches brew summer blend that is at least a dime a gallon higher than fuel out in the sticks.

...Lee

hatalov · Post by **hatalov** » 03 Jul 2007, 20:18

thanks a lot for replys....i was just asking because my friend uses premium in his civic and says it makes a big difference....but i guess it will be the same for me...anyway, thanks for the responses..im beginning to learn a lot.

Post by **JRL** » 03 Jul 2007, 21:45

Yeah well...
judging from your other *&^%*%#@ question, you obviously don't want to take the time to read your owners manual

hatalov · Post by **hatalov** » 03 Jul 2007, 22:00

wow, thanks for that...but i guess i should download it and read up on it.

Post by **JRL** » 04 Jul 2007, 05:48

hatalov wrote:wow, thanks for that...but i guess i should download it and read up on it.

Well you should but seriously MIJ is right.
Good rule of thumb in a Volvo is:
Regular for a non turbo
89 (or 91) for an LPT and always
PREMIUM in a high pressure. (T5, R, etc)
If your car has a modded chip (ECU) use the highest octane you can find as 93 will make a difference over 91, it's that close with these cars

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Jul 2007, 06:24

Owners' manual should be with your car....usually glove box unless you don't have one for some reason, then you can download it from the Volvousa.com site- library section. You'll have to join up with personal information to access it.