Yankee_LT

I'm driving a 2007 SL550 and wanted to ask the rest of you about Octane. I always use 91-octane, but I've been hunting for 93. But what I'm finding in my search is not so much in finding 93 but 100. So, my question to the rest of you is this. Does anyone out there use 93/100 octane?

Thank you.

cdk4219

There is no benefit to running higher octane in an engine that cannot use it. The engine won’t make any more power or increase fuel mileage. 91 octane is more than enough for your engine, 93 would also be fine, but not necessary, and 100 octane would be a waste of money.
Contrary to popular belief, higher octane fuel doesn’t contain higher btu’s, it has a higher flash point to thwart detonation and allow for more advanced timing. This allows the engine to make more power if the design allows.

Crito

Yeah but your exhaust will smell more expensive than some poor schmuck running 87 octane. So there's that anyways...

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

93 octane is more available where I am than 91. What does the operator's manual say?

Crito

I remember a couple decades ago BP premium was clear like moonshine. That was worth paying extra for even if you couldnt use all the octane. Nowadays though it all comes from the same place and it's just the additive package that differs from brand to brand. I like Shell's.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

It has pretty much always been like that. It's the additives that differentiate brands.

Yankee_LT

Understood. Thank you.