Running higher grade fuel.

**Dohner** · 07-29-2008

I was just wondering if running like 94 octain would give me a noticable power boost. I was at work today thinking about that. I thought i would throw it out on here and see what the pros and cons are of doing this.
(P.S MY CAR IS A STOCK 02 GT.)

**Sabrewings** · 07-29-2008

No, not really. The stock tune is designed to run on regular grade and won't see any benefits from the increased octane.

**Dohner** · 07-29-2008

Dang that sucks LOL it was just a thought. Thanks alot.

**WhiteGT** · 07-29-2008

I also have a stock 2002 gt I got premium awhile ago cause the station was out of regular so it was the same price. I noticed it ran a bit smoother and got slightly better gas milage to that tank. Nothing too spectacular though. I could have just imagined it ran smoother since I knew I had the premium in it, haha.

**Dohner** · 07-29-2008

Ha Ha i might just have to try some high grade fuel see if i do get better mpg and the runability of the car as long as it wont hurt it. Anyone know of anything bad happening to it if i do run higher grade.

**Sabrewings** · 07-29-2008

It won't hurt it. Otherwise there would be a warning that says "No high octane fuel".

TDCRacing · 07-29-2008

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

No, not really. The stock tune is designed to run on regular grade and won't see any benefits from the increased octane.

Well put.

**snap on** · 08-08-2008

Gods honest truth dude thes motors are not built to run premium fuel. It will run it yes. It will run better yes. But if you continue to run premium fuel every time you go to the gas station you will have a massive carbon build up on the motor and it is not very fun what so ever to get that stuff out of your heads. I have seen this so many times in our shop of people running premium and only driving around town. You need to get it out on the highway every now and then.

**offroadfury6** · 08-08-2008

i used to always run 93 octane, I got REALLY good MPG with it and I also starting having some idoling problems with it so I still dont use 87 but 89 insted now...but MPG is still great

**Reptile** · 08-08-2008

Run the recommended fuel for the car. A GTP is built for premium unleaded, a GT is 87 octane. Running a higher grade fuel usually will result in a loss of horsepower if you don't have the means of maximizing your full potential to run that fuel.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f18/w...here-1507.html

Originally Posted by snap on

if you continue to run premium fuel every time you go to the gas station you will have a massive carbon build up on the motor and it is not very fun what so ever to get that stuff out of your heads. I have seen this so many times in our shop of people running premium and only driving around town. You need to get it out on the highway every now and then.

Partially true. Any engine will build up carbon if all you do is putt around town. You've got to clean the cobs out of them every once in a while.

Cadillacs are notorious for this, because they are basically a performance luxury. The engines are performance designed, but older people buy them. Then they will bring the car back in a few months later complaining it's running bad and pinging. All the tech basically does is put some top engine cleaner in it, then takes it out on the freeway to flog on it.

**Dohner** · 08-08-2008

Ok i think i will stick to the 87 i dont want any of those issues. Thanks for everyones insite.

**grand prix newb** · 08-09-2008

Hello New to this forum and my first Pontiac is a 97 Grand Prix SE, Just wondering about arco gas, I hear alot of bad stuff like people don't use it in newer cars, how about in the grand prix's would you recomend arco, or is it better and advised to use shell or cheveron etc.
Thanks.

**Dohner** · 08-09-2008

Which company carries arco gas i guess i have never heard of it

**grand prix newb** · 08-10-2008

Originally Posted by Dohner

Which company carries arco gas i guess i have never heard of it

It's a gas station over here in Washington.called Arco there gas is usually 5 - 8 cents cheaper then other gasstations. the only difference I have seen is I got better gas milage from the other gas stations(shell, Cheveron ETC) with my olds, havent went to an arco gas station w/ grand prix.

**Dohner** · 08-10-2008

OH ok well i cant help you there. Dont know the place or their gas so good luck.

**Freebeer187** · 08-10-2008

I have a friend who ran racing fuel in his 2000 V6 Firebird (W/ 3800). He said the gas gauge would move up and down from quarter tank to almost full. It stoped after he was burned it all though.

Any reason why this might happen?

**BADAZGTP** · 08-10-2008

Originally Posted by grand prix newb

It's a gas station over here in Washington.called Arco there gas is usually 5 - 8 cents cheaper then other gasstations. the only difference I have seen is I got better gas milage from the other gas stations(shell, Cheveron ETC) with my olds, havent went to an arco gas station w/ grand prix.

I would watch using that gas, usually a low grade fuel when they can have their price that much cheaper than others. I'd stick with the gas you know.

**Sabrewings** · 08-10-2008

Originally Posted by Freebeer187

I have a friend who ran racing fuel in his 2000 V6 Firebird (W/ 3800). He said the gas gauge would move up and down from quarter tank to almost full. It stoped after he was burned it all though.

Any reason why this might happen?

Bad fuel gauge sender.

**Ralphie** · 08-11-2008

I checked out my owner's manual, ('04 GP GT), and it said not to use ethanol because the car wasn't designed for it. I think my local convenience store carries gas with a small amount of ethanol in it. I have been gassing up there about half the time, with no apparent ill effects.

How serious is this warning?

-Ralphie