Minimum Octane Requirement for Stage 1
06-14-2009, 11:28 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-19-2009
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 385
don't know about the stage kit but for the ss w/o it you should be fine w/ 89 octane and probably w/ 87 octane. From the '09 manual on pg 5-5.
"if the vhicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B) or the 2.0L L4 engine (Vin Code X), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible." Also on sticker inside the fuel door it says "recommends premuim."
I know for my 1st four fill ups I used 89 octane as it is the same price as reg. at my neighborhood gas station. It was less then 2 full tanks, but I had no issues. I am now using premium for 20 cents more, but mainly because of not having any ethenol and w/ only using a half take of gas a week it is like
$3 or less more per week. I really don't see an issue w/ using midgrade as long as you dont' hear spark knock, unless you are worried about that "slight" reduction in acceleration. Also I don't have the stage kit, yet
! So it might be different after theinstall
"if the vhicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B) or the 2.0L L4 engine (Vin Code X), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible." Also on sticker inside the fuel door it says "recommends premuim."
I know for my 1st four fill ups I used 89 octane as it is the same price as reg. at my neighborhood gas station. It was less then 2 full tanks, but I had no issues. I am now using premium for 20 cents more, but mainly because of not having any ethenol and w/ only using a half take of gas a week it is like
$3 or less more per week. I really don't see an issue w/ using midgrade as long as you dont' hear spark knock, unless you are worried about that "slight" reduction in acceleration. Also I don't have the stage kit, yet
! So it might be different after theinstall
06-15-2009, 12:40 AM
#12
Platinum Member
Join Date: 05-09-2006
Location: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 6,805
don't know about the stage kit but for the ss w/o it you should be fine w/ 89 octane and probably w/ 87 octane. From the '09 manual on pg 5-5.
"if the vhicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B) or the 2.0L L4 engine (Vin Code X), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible." Also on sticker inside the fuel door it says "recommends premuim."
I know for my 1st four fill ups I used 89 octane as it is the same price as reg. at my neighborhood gas station. It was less then 2 full tanks, but I had no issues. I am now using premium for 20 cents more, but mainly because of not having any ethenol and w/ only using a half take of gas a week it is like
$3 or less more per week. I really don't see an issue w/ using midgrade as long as you dont' hear spark knock, unless you are worried about that "slight" reduction in acceleration. Also I don't have the stage kit, yet! So it might be different after theinstall
"if the vhicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B) or the 2.0L L4 engine (Vin Code X), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible." Also on sticker inside the fuel door it says "recommends premuim."
I know for my 1st four fill ups I used 89 octane as it is the same price as reg. at my neighborhood gas station. It was less then 2 full tanks, but I had no issues. I am now using premium for 20 cents more, but mainly because of not having any ethenol and w/ only using a half take of gas a week it is like
$3 or less more per week. I really don't see an issue w/ using midgrade as long as you dont' hear spark knock, unless you are worried about that "slight" reduction in acceleration. Also I don't have the stage kit, yet
! So it might be different after theinstallI think you better read your Owners Manual again. I THINK you posted (or copied) incorrect information.
I have a 2006, so I checked the online version of the 2009 Owners Manual. It DOES NOT SAY WHAT YOU POSTED. I think you made a mistake.
06-15-2009, 01:25 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-26-2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 292
91 or higher per GM
GM recomends if you have to use regular in the 3800 SC engines to drive conservitive till you can get better gas.
In other word use it only if you have too and get better ASAP while driving very easy. They do use the words engine damage will result other wise.
I expect the same here on the stage kit. Don't do it unless you have too and then drive easy till you can top off with better gas.
GM recomends if you have to use regular in the 3800 SC engines to drive conservitive till you can get better gas.
In other word use it only if you have too and get better ASAP while driving very easy. They do use the words engine damage will result other wise.
I expect the same here on the stage kit. Don't do it unless you have too and then drive easy till you can top off with better gas.
06-15-2009, 06:01 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-05-2008
Location: Akron Ohio
Posts: 5,464
The series II 3800 SC owners manual stated premium is required but it also states how to deal with it if you are in some small out of town place that may not have it.
They say you can use it only if you have to in case of emergency but the terms they state is avoid WOT and any high boost conditiions or engine damage will accure. They also state to fill with premium ASAP when you find it.
This is how GM addressed what to do if premium was not avaiable it is not OK to use it all the time.
Now on my series III it is not required but recommended.
Note my series II had the same sticker on the gas door with this notice of how to use regular only in case of emergency and with caustion.
06-15-2009, 06:19 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-26-2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 292
You misunderstood my comment.
The series II 3800 SC owners manual stated premium is required but it also states how to deal with it if you are in some small out of town place that may not have it.
They say you can use it only if you have to in case of emergency but the terms they state is avoid WOT and any high boost conditions or engine damage will occur. They also state to fill with premium ASAP when you find it.
This is how GM addressed what to do if premium was not available it is not OK to use it all the time.
Now on my series III it is not required but recommended.
Note my series II had the same sticker on the gas door with this notice of how to use regular only in case of emergency and with caution.
The series II 3800 SC owners manual stated premium is required but it also states how to deal with it if you are in some small out of town place that may not have it.
They say you can use it only if you have to in case of emergency but the terms they state is avoid WOT and any high boost conditions or engine damage will occur. They also state to fill with premium ASAP when you find it.
This is how GM addressed what to do if premium was not available it is not OK to use it all the time.
Now on my series III it is not required but recommended.
Note my series II had the same sticker on the gas door with this notice of how to use regular only in case of emergency and with caution.
06-21-2009, 09:42 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-19-2009
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 385
Not sure what you mean? I read/copied directly from my 2009 manual that the dealer gave me. I even listed the page number. Will have to check the online manual. Mine was built in Aug. '08 for the '09 model. Maybe they changed it after??
06-22-2009, 12:32 AM
#20
Platinum Member
Join Date: 05-09-2006
Location: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 6,805
First....YOU spelled VEHICLE incorrectly....so you couldn't have copied it DIRECTLY from the Owners Manual. Second....the 2.2 DOES NOT REQUIRE OR RECOMMEND PREMIUM FUEL. However, GM does RECOMMEND premium fuel for the 2.4 ltr.
What it appears like.... is you started to type/copy one paragraph from the Owners Manual and then went to another and transposed the intended meanings.
I'll find the on-line link and post it later.
Edit....Here is the "Clipboard Copy" of the information from 5-5 from the Online 2009 Owners Manual (bold type by me).....
Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you
might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code V) or
the 2.0L L4 engine (VIN Code X), use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher.
You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s acceleration could
be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible
knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock.
If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
What it appears like.... is you started to type/copy one paragraph from the Owners Manual and then went to another and transposed the intended meanings.
I'll find the on-line link and post it later.
Edit....Here is the "Clipboard Copy" of the information from 5-5 from the Online 2009 Owners Manual (bold type by me).....
Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code B), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you
might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code V) or
the 2.0L L4 engine (VIN Code X), use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher.
You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s acceleration could
be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible
knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock.
If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.