What Octane Fuel Does Your Spyder Drink Most of the Time?

[Michael211_2000]

I put 89 octane in my 2012 RS... when I tried a tank of 87 octane it tended to backfire when downshifting, 89 octane doesn't seem to have that effect so I stick with it. I tried 1 tank full of 93 octane but it didn't seem any different than the 89 octane I could not tell the difference, so I settled on 89 from now on.

The minimum octane rating is printed on a tag underneith the seat in small print... where do you find fuel with less than 87 octane rating anyhows? I don't get that, if 87 is the minimum recommended does that mean somebody sells fuel with less than an 87 rating? :dontknow:

- Michael

 

[Michael211_2000]

My concern was what ethanol is doing to the engine, which is why I mixed.

Seriously, it's not doing anything to your engine as long as you're routinely driving the vehicle. Ethanol becomes a problem if you let it sit for weeks (or months) on end it starts to break down the fuel molecules and attracts moisture. So as long as you're actively driving the Spyder weekly, don't worry about it... if however you live in an area where you park it for the winter, then ABSOLUTELY treat the fuel with Stabil (or another fuel stabilizer like SeaFoam etc.) run the engine for a short drive (to get the treated fuel completely thru the fuel lines and fuel system!) then park cover and put your battery on a battery tender. It'll be just fine come springtime. Otherwise yeah you could have expensive problems by next spring!

If I had a choice yeah I'd prefer ethanol-free fuel, the stuff doesn't DO anything for your money it's just a filler adding volume to the fuel but no energy content. In the Houston area I've not seen a fuel pump that didn't state up to 10% Ethanol in decades already... Arghhh! I hate the stuff, it's a waste of money in the fuel tank and drives up corn prices which causes our food to cost more since livestock feeds depend on corn largely... :banghead:

- Michael

 

[jcthorne]

Thanks for pointing that out, jctthorne. I had been using this calculator, which showed that 3 gallons of 87 and 3 gallons of 93 would give 6 gallons of 90 Octane. http://www.wallaceracing.com/octane-mix-calc.php . . . My concern was what ethanol is doing to the engine, which is why I mixed. I just looked at the label under my seat, and, sure enough, it says 91 Octane is minimum. It seems that something this important would be pointed out by the dealer when the Spyder was purchased . . . or BRP would have printed a single page addendum to the manual and directed dealers to insert it in the owners manual . . . or even included a mention of the error in the owner's manual in the welcome package . . . I guess its 91 or 93 from now on . . . I sure hope the government doesn't force 15% ethanol on us!

I completely agree on the 15% ethanol. Here in southeast Texas, all gas has 10% ethanol so mixing still has 10%. Ethanol does increase effective octane and is the main ingredient in my cheap octane boosters. Lots of other problems if the materials are not correct. I tend not to worry about the ethanol as there is little I can do about it. When it causes problems, you fix it.

I suppose you found one thing Mancuso did right for me. They did point out the octane requirement. Now if they had a service department that knew or cared about Spyders....

 

[jcthorne]

I put 89 octane in my 2012 RS... when I tried a tank of 87 octane it tended to backfire when downshifting, 89 octane doesn't seem to have that effect so I stick with it. I tried 1 tank full of 93 octane but it didn't seem any different than the 89 octane I could not tell the difference, so I settled on 89 from now on.

The minimum octane rating is printed on a tag underneith the seat in small print... where do you find fuel with less than 87 octane rating anyhows? I don't get that, if 87 is the minimum recommended does that mean somebody sells fuel with less than an 87 rating? :dontknow:

- Michael

Yes, in states with higher elevations they get away with it. See lots of it in NM and CO. 85 is common. In a normally aspirated engine, many can get away with it if you stay at the higher elevation where the air density is lower.

 

[Silvervette05]

I use regular gas

 

[RTVIPER]

91 FOR ME!!!

and runs great. :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[BMWpilot]

Another Operating Handbook scan

Well, the Operator's Guide for the 2013 ST states on page 47 that the recommended octane is 91 with a minimum of 87.

 

[ZRCAT600]

I try to use 91 non oxygenated gas when ever possible.

 

[jcthorne]

View attachment 78921

Take a look at the emissions label next to your gas cap, at least on the 2013 RTs the owners manual is out of date or incorrect. Let us know what the label on your ST says.

 

[Flanker]

93

 

[missouriboy]

91

The closest station to me had 93 and it was giving me 29.x MPG all summer. Then I found the next closest one had 91 so I've been using that for 8-10 tanks now, and it gives me 31.x!

The only other difference I can think of is the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler now, but I doubt if that matters. I'm happy with the extra 2 mpg!

 

[ptbperegrine]

In Oz, premium fuel is 98 octane and on my few outings so far, that's what I've used on the basis of "Most distance per tank".
The Redback (Aussie spider related to the Black Widow) seemed very happy on this fuel...
(small sample size at this point!)

 

[RyderJCF]

93 octane for my Bronze Beauty:yes::thumbup:

 

[daveinva]

87 in my 2010 RS. I never got any increase in mileage/performance with higher octane gas, so I don't waste my money. (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/paying-for-premium-gas-can-be-a-waste-of-money/index.htm)

That said, I buy gas without ethanol every chance I get, I *do* get significantly better mileage when I do. Sadly, no such stations near me, but I always get to treat my Spyder nice when I hop out to West Virginia for the twisties.

 

[usn97ret]

87 in Colorado

I, along with most of the other Spyder owners in Colorado use 87 octane.

 

[KX5062]

In my 2008 GS I run only 87 octane. I've tried higher octane fuels, but they seem to offer no increase in performance and do decrease the MPG. I tested it fairly carefully over different riding conditions at various times and it is consistent in decreasing the fuel mileage with the higher octane.

And, whenever possible it is real gas for me too. :2thumbs:

 

[happyspyder2039]

I, along with most of the other Spyder owners in Colorado use 87 octane.

I have run 91 since I got my 2012 RT-S

 

[Purple Guy]

I try to stick to ESSO gas up here and only use 91 octane

 

[Deanna777]

Octane in Spyder

I have a 2012 RTS-SE5 My owners manual( page 47) says: Inside Untied States Recommend 91 Octane Minimum 87 Octane. I use 93 or 91 Octane depending where I fill-up.

Deanna777

 

[bmccaffrey]

I have 2013 Rs and run 93 octane. Tried non ethanol lost mileage takes time for computer to adjust and non ethanol is tough to find up here.
I also ron Ace additive which took my mileage from 34 to 39 mpg and with top brand fuel 41 mpg.
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