PJStyles

I just spent over two hours reading lots of threads and posts here on this message board with regards to what octane gas to use in our Proteges.

I'll be buying one very shortly and I was hoping to get some sort of a concensus on this. What does the owner's manual on the 2002 Protege ES 2.0L say to use? 91 Octane or 87 Octane?

Also, I have to say I'm quite confused now as to which to use. I've ready so many good arguments as to why 87 octane should be used and so many as to why premium gas should be used. What's the real deal?

Did anyone here ever hook up the car to the datalogger to find out the difference in timings?

I'd be interested to get some updated feedback on this issue.

PJStyles

lupus

**** that ****. there's no major difference between the two. get yourself some 116 octane leaded then you'll notice the differnce. just be prepared to buy lots oc cats

PJStyles

Thanks for the candid and informative reply lol

PJStyles

lupus

hey i'm here to help

NegatiZE

Ever since I got my car (99 LX w/ 1.6 engine) I've used 87 octane. I pings like hell though. This last tank I put in, I decided to use premium to see if the pinging went away. It did - engine can freely rev without sounding like a rattle trap in the higher RPM ranges.

You have the 2.0, so start with the lowest recommended (87) and if it runs fine, then use that. There's no sense in wasting money on more expensive gas unless your engine needs it.

Pro_fan

PJ the manual for my '01 LX 2.0L says to use 87 octane. I'm sure it's the same for the '02's. I wouldn't use 91 as it's just a waste of money. Our car doesn't need it, so why use it?

BUT, there are some that complain of engine pinging and this has been remedied to a degree by using 91 octane or higher (ie. 93).

LooseCannon

i use 87 and thats what the manual says to use ('02 P5)
i would stay away from blended (usually lowers the rating even thou it claims it is still 87)

protetype

i ran my 1.6 for over a year with cheapest stuff at the pump... never pinged once. i just recently started putting 91 in it, since it's the highest octane i can get at the pump, and run nitrous with it. unless you're heavily modded.. (or if you're pinging) then octane doesnt matter for ****. also... where you buy your gas matters as well. Everyday (formerly Circle K) is the last place I will buy my gas. My cars have run like **** after buying gas there. Buy from better gas stations, Diamond Shamrock, Conoco, Texaco.

NegatiZE

I've tried from many different places. I think it's just a problem w/ my engine. Several other people on the Edmunds Town Hall site have 1.6s w/ pinging problems too.

Morpheus

The manual for my P5 says 87 octane is the recommended fuel. With gas prices rising, that's all I am putting in mine.

Sir Nuke

the manual recomments 87. that is all I put in mine, '02 P-5, no pinging.....no problems.....runs like a champ....all is good :{D stick with what the manual tells you unless something else dictates a change.

nyczmp3

87 for the p5....dam.....the MP3 doesn't run off anything but 94 octane..and she is runnin srong...it is recommended for 91 only nothing less...i think that all you guys running the low octane will come in to problems in the future...only because i think that gas has the most impurities in it that are liable to build up and clog ya injectors, fuel pump, fuel lines....but hey .....DO U....

Sir Nuke

there are no more imputities in the 87 than there are in the 94...has nothing to do with octane.

as for the MP3....its required because of the difference in the valve timing....yours is advanced more....its part of why the MP3 is rated at 10 more HP.

eeterp

Where are you finding 94 octane?

JPerezz21

Sounds Like SUNOCO Ultra 94 to me that was the only Gas Station Back In MY HOMETOWN OF NYC that has 94 Octane.