Issues running fuel other than premium in the RT?

[SpyderGirl]

We are considering an upgrade from one of our RS models to a RT, but are concerned with the premium fuel requirement. Are there any issues associated with running mid-grade fuel instead?

 

[MarkLawson]

I've run regular far more than premium & have never noticed a problem or issue.

 

[Pandy]

All grades

I have run all grades of fuel in our RTS and as of now, about 3700 miles haven't noticed any difference. This is city, slab, mountain twisties, always 2 up. And regardless of fuel, about 33 mpg.

Patrick

 

[bullant12]

We've been told that the RT uses the same fuel as a RS... so I don't see the issue. Plus at a 6.6 gallon tank, you only see a few dollars more!:hun:

 

[CaptRalph]

I don't know how much different the two machines are but I can tell you that for the first 1-1/2 years my RS had all sorts of performance problems many of which I'm sure where due to gas. About a year ago, Pat, Service Mgr of Barney's of Brandon, suggested I try I switching to premium and my :spyder2: has been running really happy since. Just went over 20,000 miles. Every now and then I experience rough riding for a couple of miles right after filling up, which I believe is due to bad gas on some of the gas stations around here. If possible I try to fill up at very busy stations, which do not have their gas sitting in their tanks for weeks. Five gallons cost me about a dollar more, well worth it considering that it keeps my baby happy and me from getting all stressed out. My two cents worth.

 

[SpyderFun]

I have run "regular" unleaded and given current fuel prices, I don't see that changing in my future. Most eng mfgs prefer you to run the higher octane in order to reproduce their design & performance specs. But you may not be able to achieve those numbers by using a lower octane grade. I would however consider using a fuel injector additive annually to ensure your injectors remain clean and fully operational.
Also Lamont did a video using both fuel types and if memory serves, he got better mileage using the lower grade! :shocked:

Hope this helped a bit!

 

[fispyder]

I run regular in my RTS. Tried hightest could tell alittle performance differance milage couldn't tell any differance 33 to 35 mpg.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've always run 93 octane in mine... the difference in the cost of re-fueling works out to about a dollar and my Missus can tell you that nobody can waste a dollar quicker than me! :lecturef_smilie: I don't imagine that running 87 could in any way harm the engine; it just wouldn't be making peak horsepower and torque numbers as the 'puter compensates for the lower octane swill... :shocked:

 

[Schultzi]

Fuel issues

I have my RT-S since Nov. 2009, i've been running all grades of fuel during this time. I had issues with fuel with over 15% of ethanol in it. My service manager recommended to stay away from certain gas stations in our area.
Lately i have been using pure gas (87 octane) and i have noticed a difference in fuel mileage and performance. Fuel mileage increased by about 20%, meaning -i'm getting 180 miles to a tank with a gallon to spare. Never happened before!! Had to fill up at 150 miles. Performance wise, i think it is accelerating better in high gear / low RPM. (Less hasitation)
Other than that - No problems with different grades of fuel.

My 2 cents!!

:chat: :2thumbs:

 

[MouthPiece]

I have my RT-S since Nov. 2009, i've been running all grades of fuel during this time. I had issues with fuel with over 15% of ethanol in it. My service manager recommended to stay away from certain gas stations in our area.
Lately i have been using pure gas (87 octane) and i have noticed a difference in fuel mileage and performance. Fuel mileage increased by about 20%, meaning -i'm getting 180 miles to a tank with a gallon to spare. Never happened before!! Had to fill up at 150 miles. Performance wise, i think it is accelerating better in high gear / low RPM. (Less hasitation)
Other than that - No problems with different grades of fuel.

My 2 cents!!

:chat: :2thumbs:

AHHHHHHHHHHH the good old days!!!!! Gas with out ethanol.

Chris

 

[rogerb]

What I have noticed is that it changes with each state. Here in Maine we have one of the worst combinations, 91 octain and ethanol. I have to use 91 octain especially in the summer or it pings and loses power. A treat for the Spyder is a fill-up in N.H. 93 octain, a super treat is 93 octain and no ethanol when I go on a trip. The state is generating more money by the decrease in efficiency and more maintenace costs which creates more tax revenue.:thumbup:

 

[frank3]

Think I'm going to start using REGULAR. My MPG has never been better than 28 and is usually 26-27.

 

[NancysToy]

We had the same dilemma with Nancy's HHR. I use premium in both. If you go 20,000 miles a year, at 25 mpg, it will only cost an additional $160. Worth it, IMO.

 

[IWN2RYD]

We ran it for eight month with nothing but premium. Then one day I decided in a small one man protest against this ridiculous cost of fuel to try the 89... Never tried the 87. Nore have I gone back to Premium.

We just add the Star Tron and am darn glad we do :2thumbs:

This includes our RSS and RT-S with and without the Tow brother JB/Air cleaner and aftermarket mufflers...

 

[Lamonster]

 

[SpyderGirl]

We had the same dilemma with Nancy's HHR. I use premium in both. If you go 20,000 miles a year, at 25 mpg, it will only cost an additional $160. Worth it, IMO.

We have a HHR and always run regular gas and get 27 - 30 MPG, and that's in S.F. Bay Area traffic. I never used premium in my Porsche, just regular and mid-grade, and never had any performance or fuel economy issues.

Thank you all for the input, I think if we get one we'll probably use regular or mid-grade.

 

[ARtraveler]

Dilema time again. We just topped $4.43 for 90 (highest available) octane in AK. I'm still saying it will be $5.00 by Memorial Day. I have felt that performance was not as good on 87 or 88 (our mid-grade) and that the mileage was a little less. I filled up with 88 yesterday--just because I did not want to get shafted again. I know when I start heading out and about on the weekends that I am going to encounter $5.00 and up when I get away from Anchorage metro area. opcorn:

 

[ThreeFeet]

AHHHHHHHHHHH the good old days!!!!! Gas with out ethanol.

Chris

i found a place on internet that had all the gas stations that DIDN'T have ethenol in thier gas. Maybe this site could help you find a station that has real gas http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MO Think it will work for you. I got info for Iowa, Wisconsin, Ill, Ind, Tn and NC since those were the states I was going to go thru on my trip to Maggie Valley( Vacation time with a vengence!!!:2excited Give er a try.

 

[Y Rider]

The only time I have seen a big difference in Octane levels is when using a 10% Ethanol blend. My mileage goes in the toilet when using Ethanol.

 

[ThreeFeet]

Dilema time again. We just topped $4.43 for 90 (highest available) octane in AK. I'm still saying it will be $5.00 by Memorial Day. I have felt that performance was not as good on 87 or 88 (our mid-grade) and that the mileage was a little less. I filled up with 88 yesterday--just because I did not want to get shafted again. I know when I start heading out and about on the weekends that I am going to encounter $5.00 and up when I get away from Anchorage metro area. opcorn:

I heard a rumer that mey be true. that 87 ad 89 Octane numbers are the same as the lower numbered octane has enough ethenal to make it 89 proof. That all the lower octanes are this way.. Not sure how true but I use 89 werever I can get it. If 89 is higher priced I'll get the 87. But try to find a place that has both at the same price. ie Caseys is a good one. Haven't noticed any problems with motor. Gas milage still bouncing around some for the RT. RS runs around 28 -30mpg +/- a mile.