[Kriger]

Due to being in Canada. Honda 2017 Hatchback only comes in LX and SPORT with no EX trim =.=". The recommended fuel for Sport is premium. However if I use regular fuel, would that void my warranty? Also, since they all use same engine is it safe to assume that using regular fuel really shouldn't cause engine knock

 

[Cabeldude]

The engine tune is different on the sport and that is why you require premium. I don't know if it would be enough of a change to harm the engine but you can bet it wont save you any money at the pumps because you will be down on power and mileage.

 

[JS2000]

I bet there is a clause in the owner's manual that says you can use lower octane fuel but you will notice reduced performance and mileage.


My S2000 uses premium fuel and it has the same statement in the owner's manual.


You might be able to get away with 89 octane, but I'm just guessing. At the end of the day hatchback owners should be prepared to use premium fuel if they are buying such a vehicle, otherwise you may want to look at a non-hatchback model, you won't really miss or feel 6 crank hp.

 

[4Tires]

Here's what I found in the owner's manual.

Models with the label “PREMIUM
RECOMMENDED”

Unleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane Number (PON) of 91 or
higher is recommended.
Use of lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic
knocking noise in the engine and will result in decreased engine
performance.
Use of gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to
engine damage.

 

[JS2000]

Here's what I found in the owner's manual.

Models with the label “PREMIUM
RECOMMENDED”

Unleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane Number (PON) of 91 or
higher is recommended.
Use of lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic
knocking noise in the engine and will result in decreased engine
performance.
Use of gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to
engine damage.

Good info. That sounds about right, engine pinging will cause the ecu to retard timing and that will reduce power. I don't think anyone would run less than 87 octane as all fuel is 87 or higher . Pinging at lower rpms and low load isn't a big issue, I wouldn't want it at higher rpms or high load though. 89 octane "may" work, but count on 91 for full benefits and protection.

 

[4Tires]

At least we know now that 87 Octane won't damage the engine, just get the occasional knocking if you really want to save on gas. Maybe 89 Octane won't have the pinging problem.

 

[Tarspin]

I think all modern cars out there will compensate for low octane fuel unless the car has an aftermarket tune dumped in or is considered a high performance product (like the Si may be, even then I'd be suprised if it can't run on 87. Manufacturers would have a hard time proving that low quality fuel was the cause of engine failure so they map in a countermeasure to save themselves from big bills.

 

[4Tires]

Anyone going to give 87 octane a try? I'm not expecting huge changes to how a Civic drives, but it'll be a confirmation that nothing really happens to the engine.

 

[B20Vtec]

Good info. That sounds about right, engine pinging will cause the ecu to retard timing and that will reduce power. I don't think anyone would run less than 87 octane as all fuel is 87 or higher . Pinging at lower rpms and low load isn't a big issue, I wouldn't want it at higher rpms or high load though. 89 octane "may" work, but count on 91 for full benefits and protection.

Colorado sells 85 Octane :| That's considered their "Regular"

 

[JS2000]

Colorado sells 85 Octane :| That's considered their "Regular"

That is gross. lol. Pretty bad


Maybe they can get away with it due to the high altitude. ?

 

[B20Vtec]

Colorado Springs is definitely of high altitude, so that would make sense essentially. Thinner air + lower octane = engine running without detonation. Lucky ducks.. saving those dollar bills over there !

 

[2017SportHatch]

Detonation will cause head gaskets to blow much faster than they normally would.

 

[Engineer Paul]

Question: My US owner's manual states 91 octane fuel is to be used if there is a label "PREMIUM RECOMMENDED". However, they fail to state where this label might be! Can anyone advise?


I would think the right thing for them to do is create an explicit label regardless of what model you have. I shouldn't have to wonder if there is something I missed. With all the white manufacturing component barcode labels falling off of my interior components, I have to wonder whether anything important might have disappeared...

 

[Dallasjhawk]

Question: My US owner's manual states 91 octane fuel is to be used if there is a label "PREMIUM RECOMMENDED". However, they fail to state where this label might be! Can anyone advise?


I would think the right thing for them to do is create an explicit label regardless of what model you have. I shouldn't have to wonder if there is something I missed. With all the white manufacturing component barcode labels falling off of my interior components, I have to wonder whether anything important might have disappeared...

On every Honda Ive owned, its been on the inside of the fuel door in all caps if it recommended or required Premium.

 

[High Mileage]

I have owned a Nissan Maxima for 11 years. I have driven it with regular for most of those years with no negative issue, other than one or two miles less miles per gallon. If I knew I was going to drive it hard on a long trip at super duper speeds, I would use premium, which was recommended for best performance. If using lower octane, sensors would automatically retard the timing to compensate. I couldn't tell the difference in performance. Now that premium is at least 50 cents more per gallon over regular, it is not worth it to get an extra 2 miles per gallon. The benefit was not worth the cost.

 

[4doorj]

I'm coming from a STI, which was very sensitive to the gas used. I could only use shell 91 or husky 94.
I have the civic sport hatchback coming. Just curious if the civic is picky too.

 

[vloggingadventureswithrob]

I'd stick with premium for the sport. I don't think reg would harm the engine, but you'll loose performance and may have a knock.

 

[glbg]

My 1st fill up last week, I went with Premium 93 octane.

 

[dredogol]

Engine knocking is never a good thing.
Recent engines are designed to "skip" a cycle if it detects misfire to prevent engine knocking... prevents engine damage... but you are losing efficiency.

The Sport / Sport Touring ECU is programmed with higher octane compression ratios.
You'll have to reprogram the ECU if you want to be able to run with lower octane and prevent the engine from knocking due to premature detonation due to timing/compression differences.
But if you do that... why buy the Sport... other than better gas millage?
If you plan on tuning it anyways... you'll need higher octane gasoline.

 

[French6Spd17Sport]

When I decided to buy the Sport Hatchback, I made peace with the fact that it would require Premium fuel, so Premium it is...
Only using Shell V-Power, and the car is performing extremely well, so no need for me to look any farther...
Cheers!