I have heard so many myths on this topic. How it can possibly ruin your engine, dirty your fuel injectors, etc...


Is any of this true? What happens if you use regular gas a few times instead of using mid-grade? Will it really hurt the car that bad?

 

Regular gas= angry MINI
Mid grade gas= Eh MINI
Premium gas= Happy MINI

Btw, they aren't myths. If your car requires 89 octane or above use 89 or above. Your performance and MPG will suffer. Eventually you'll end up with premature engine failure.

 

One would hope with all these modules in the MINI R56+, it can compensate for low octane by monitoring knock activity and adjusting ignition advance to avoid knocking.


I highly doubt using regular gas will really kill the engine. More myths.

 

Yes, it will compensate for low octane by taking out timing. It won't kill it fast(unless you're heavy on the throttle). It'll kill it slowly. Like a cancer. Google is really your best bet to get all the technical language as to why certain vehicles require premium gasoline.
Why do you highly doubt it will ruin anything? Are you well versed in the technical aspects of the petroleum grading system? If you know all of the in's and out's why even ask?

 

Also, I'm assuming this is your first vehicle that requires premium. There's a learning curve. Give it regular. Beat the **** out of it. See how long it lasts. MINI's are already finicky, no need to ASK for trouble from them.

 

I ask looking for possibly someone with experience. Possibly someone who did use lower grade gas and can confirm an engine failure? Confirmations are worth a lot more then Google searches.
Until then, its still a myth.


Its not my first vehicle requiring mid-grade or higher. It is my first mini however.

 

I had a mini and put reuglar in it. The engine failed a month later. It is a direct result of the regular grade gas. Those are real world results

 

back in the day, I owned a Caddy with a 4.9 port injected V-8. I like you doubted that it "needed" premium. I ran regular gas for 4 months straight, it ran just ok and the gas mileage dropped down to 23 on the highway from 27. I noticed that when I would get on it hard that it the power delivery was just gone and it made more tick/knocking noises while under acceleration. One day I was drag'n her down some back road, it was shifting from 2-3 when it got into 3 it started to knock, I let off the gas and it just shut off. I towed it to a mechanic buddy's shop and he asked me how it happened, I told him. He then asked me what type of gas I used. He scolded me for about 10 minutes as to why to not use regular gas in vehicles that require premium.
At the end of the day, if you're not able to afford premium gas for a premium compact car, don't buy a premium compact car. Buy a Honda.

 

Can you elaborate? What exactly failed? Did you only use regular or only occasionally?

 

Look guy, if you're not willing to listen to anyone that opposes your completely opinionated view why are you even asking

 

Not all gas stations have premium gas available at all time. I am more concerned personally about what happens if lower grade gas is used only on occasion.
Personally I always use mid-grade (unless its not available) as it says on my cap.

 

Just because I am asking for details, that's a bad thing?
Relax guy. I just want as much information as possible.

 

In the manual of your car it says if 89 or above is unavailable use regular then as soon as you see a gas station that has premium available and top it off with premium ASAP.

 

You'll save a little money for a while, But there is a reason why the manufacturer specifies premium gas. The Octane rating of a gas determines how it burns and premium gas burns better. The regular gas will cause "pinging" if it used under power. This pinging is pre-ignition, and can and will cause damage to the piston, as well as the rings. Over time it can burn a hole in the piston.

 

I apologize if you think I am being combative.
Its just your answers are also biased towards the higher end gas. And yes I understand
people say their engine failed (which is as broad as it gets) because of regular gas.


I ask for details (what parts failed) which prove its because of the gas.

I've also had master mechanics who are personal friends tell me newer cars wont fail because of gas grade, most can even run off of ethanol, as the fuel injectors computers will compensate. However power will be weaker and acceleration will suffer. But entire engine loss is a huge jump.


When I hear - my engine failed because of gas. What exactly failed? Was is the fuel injectors that got clogged? were the pushrods or lifters damaged? Did the plugs explode into the head damaging the pistons? What did the lower grade gas really damage?

 

They fail under acceleration due to predetonation. All of the cars on the road can run on a small amount of ethanol. Not E85 unless tuned to run on E85. All gas has a small amount of corn booze to help with emissions if I'm not mistaken. I don't believe it will clog any lines using regular, the issue is with knock/pre det. If you're running regular, just don't give it any throttle or you risk blowing up a piston. Yes the new cars can compensate but the risk of predetonation is possible. The only time premium or regular doesn't matter is if you have a car that can run on regular. The reason I'm biased is due to the fact that I've dealt with this in the past and I've learned. So, learn from other folks mistakes and use the gas this particular engine was designed to run on.

 

Predetonation is what blew up my bullet proof 4.9 Caddy engine. I don't need to learn that lesson again. Granted I prolly coulda got away with using regular if I NEVER gave it gas and the all around performance was gone, gas mileage was gone, and the engine did run a bit rough/loud. On premium it had a perfectly smooth low toned hum under acceleration.
If you do have to use regular just stay out of your pedal. And really if you have to drive a MINI conservatively that what's the point of driving one at all?

 

Thank you.
This is really what I was looking for.
So gas grade matters because of detonation times. Which can possibly damage the internals of the engine block.
I have a mini R60 base. Hardly any acceleration to begin with... But I will definitely keep what you said in mind and be sure to use mid to higher grade gas.


One last Q. Is there any benefit using 91 or 93 compared to 89? My car says 89.

 

That I can't answer. I only use 93 because I have an S and I want to get as much power/efficiency as possible. 91 is the minimum required so I'm sure you're ok, it just wont burn as completely as 93.

 

There is no Benefit to using a higher octane gas than your car requires. There is a benefit to using top tier gas. A new study released last week shows the detrimental benefits to sub top tier fuels that do no have the proper or enough additives needed for Direct injection engines. This will cause poor gas mileage and performance and eventually engine damage due to build of sludge and by products.


check out http://www.toptiergas.com/


http://www.motortrend.com/news/all-f...l-technologue/


http://www.consumerreports.org/car-m...h-extra-price/


From my perspective as an informed consumer the theme for this thread should have never come up. Do your research before buying a car , know what type and grade of fuel, oil etc your car will need and take that into your budget account. If the car would run ok on 87 or less they wouldn't specify 89 minimum. These cars also require synthetic Oil .

 

Run a few tanks of regular in your Mini S and you will notice a performance drop. I noticed lack of power when my son filled the car with off brand premium. Mini/BMW don't get any benefit financially from having you use premium so the motivation is to keep the engine working properly. In addition change the oil more frequently then they call for and your car will thank you.

 

While I appreciate your opinion. You are wrong about this topic not needing to be discussed.
This is what forums are for. My question was not a simple one about gas. Nor did I even mention oil type.
My question was already answered. About how exactly the lower grade gas can hurt the engine. A consumer who reads their whole owner guide will not find any specific info on what can be harmed in the engine by using lower grade gas.
Stating simply to use a certain type of gas without any reasoning behind it requires discussion and further knowledge. At least for me it does. Maybe for you just being told to use a certain gas type with no explanation as to why is enough.

 

Unfortunately I find it very difficult to find complex and full answers on the forums.
Rather, most people reply with simple and basic statements claiming they know best and not explaining as to why.
Its just because that's the way it is. That's the most regular answer. Try it and see. Very helpful.
Thanks

 

Got a new engine and put only premium in it. No detonation at all. Car wont start

 

I don't think gas is your issue.