96 Conti - effect of running on regular octane gas

[ardisius]

Hi Guys

With the price of gas so high lately I've started using regular gas, but wanted to be sure its not going to blow some sensor or cause some other problem.

Any advice?

Roy:rolleyes:

[Nick]

I don't know if the engine has a knock sensor and the programming necessary to pull spark advance to prevent detonation. I believe there is also a drop off in fuel economy when switching to lower octane. The performance certainly drops off. Many people have used 89 as a happy medium with minimal effects to performance and fuel economy. I'd be hesitant to run 87 without knowing the effects first. Do a search on the Mark VIII forum and I think you will find some answers.

[pro-five-oh]

You'll lose 1-3mpg, maybe more if you're a leadfoot who sees the other side of 3000rpm frequently. :)

Definitly switch to mid-grade these days...but regular won't hurt anything.

[ardisius]

You'll lose 1-3mpg, maybe more if you're a leadfoot who sees the other side of 3000rpm frequently. :)

Definitly switch to mid-grade these days...but regular won't hurt anything.

Thanks guys

Went out of town yesterday and got 27mpg highway, but dropped down to 20 after driving around town for a few hours. Power seems reasonable — I'm not a lead-foot (unless overtaking).

Mid-grade's hard to find in our small town —oops, sorry — CITY;)

Roy

[v8_dave]

Thanks guys

Went out of town yesterday and got 27mpg highway, but dropped down to 20 after driving around town for a few hours. Power seems reasonable — I'm not a lead-foot (unless overtaking).

Mid-grade's hard to find in our small town —oops, sorry — CITY;)

Roy

My owners manual for the '97 recomends midgrade IIRC. But we always put in '87. It says in the book that is ok; because it has a knock sensor. Averages 16mpg around town, but around town is 10 minute, 25mph, hilly trips. Highway can pull 24ish. Check your manual to make sure nothing changed for '97!

[ardisius]

Thanks, Dave

Sounds good, then, so I'll keep going with the '87.

Thanks to all

Roy

[v8_dave]

Thanks, Dave

Sounds good, then, so I'll keep going with the '87.

Thanks to all

Roy

No problem, just "Check your manual to make sure nothing changed for '97!" I know Ford started adding knock sensors at random years all over all their different engines. :)