Armando Kulas 1 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hi guys i just need a little info. I just bought a Chevy Spark early this March. I was just wondering if I could use fuel with 95 Octane (RON) instead of the 93 octane rating fuel i use? What are the good and bad effects of doing this? What octane rating does Chevrolet recommend to be used for Spark? Link to post Share on other sites
weetsj 39 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) euro 95 or 98 BP ultimate i quess Edited May 2, 2012 by weetsj Link to post Share on other sites
AlexBarsan 10 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Hi guys i just need a little info. I just bought a Chevy Spark early this March. I was just wondering if I could use fuel with 95 Octane (RON) instead of the 93 octane rating fuel i use? What are the good and bad effects of doing this? What octane rating does Chevrolet recommend to be used for Spark? Using fuel with more octane rating: Bad: for your pocket Good: NONE It's a small engine with not a very high compression so the higher octane will not be useful at all. nicksb and brillo 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 0 Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I have used the 93 and it seems to work just fine. Link to post Share on other sites
mightydog 3 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I like to buy the best to be sure Smikster 1 Link to post Share on other sites
harleyglide 3 Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Friend regular 87 octane works just fine in the spark . 93 octane is for harleys . Link to post Share on other sites
nicksb 2 Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 I can only see using higher octane just being a waste of money. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 The USA manual says 87 minimum. Link to post Share on other sites
LukeC 3 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 87 is what is recommended. Any higher is just money down the tank Link to post Share on other sites
southsidexz 6 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I use regular 87 Octane Rating ever since I bought the vehicle. Don't hear any knocking or anything. Plus, like a few have mention it's a small engine. I wouldn't want to spend more on a higher octane if it could run perfectly on the lowest (cheaper) octane. Definitely makes a big difference fueling the Spark compared to my Camaro SS <- Damn that thing uses the Highest Octane Premium fuel. On a side note: I wonder what kind of car would use the Racing Fuel? There is a Speed Way by my area that has that type of fuel on 2 pumps. Octane is like 99 or 100 rating. I wonder, but not tempted to try it at 6/7 bucks a gallon. Link to post Share on other sites
Riku89 1 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Its not a race car but it doesnt hurt to run higher octane it burns cleaner as well increases fuel economy! Link to post Share on other sites
respdoc 4 Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Its not a race car but it doesnt hurt to run higher octane it burns cleaner as well increases fuel economy! Yes...(for the Spark), it will hurt your checking account and isn't needed. Having the other car, I can tell you it's a pain to find 93+ in most places (I found one place that has 95 and use it)...but it does get pricey with each fill-up. Edited August 14, 2013 by respdoc Link to post Share on other sites
brillo 4 Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Higher octane than recommended will make your Spark faster, because your pocketbook will be lighter Smikster 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Riku89 1 Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Yes...(for the Spark), it will hurt your checking account and isn't needed. Having the other car, I can tell you it's a pain to find 93+ in most places (I found one place that has 95 and use it)...but it does get pricey with each fill-up. It really isnt a matter of needs it. yes you use higher octane for a performace car 100+ for a track car... but you can stiil benefit from higher octane in smaller cars improve fuel economy and cleaner burn. I am not saying go to your closest track and fill up no that just stupid but 91 and 93 octance does show improvent in mpg as I have tested in other small cars I own Link to post Share on other sites
respdoc 4 Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) but you can stiil benefit from higher octane in smaller cars improve fuel economy and cleaner burn. No, I'm sorry but you're not correct. Octane main purpose is for anti-knock properties but in no way (or any credible data exists) that a higher than recommended octane rating increasing "fuel economy" (based mostly on ECU not even being able to utilize the higher numbers). I do data-log and change my ecu maps quite a bit on the GT-R based on many perimeters (including octane rating). Even then...we are not talking about massive differences in numbers based on just on one or two octane points. The Spark, of course, is a totally different animal with a totally different engine/ECU setup. While it might make you feel better....the actual numbers and benefits just aren't physically there (engine/ECU wise) to be had. Edited August 15, 2013 by respdoc Link to post Share on other sites
BigLes985 2 Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Why put 93 octane in it? I have a car that requires 93 and I must say I was looking for a car that had 87 for my daily driver. When you put 600-700 miles a week on a vehicle that 50 cents a gallon adds up quickly. Link to post Share on other sites
Lil Dew 14 Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 The engine combustion must be at a certain temp to ignite a certain fuel. Higher compression or forced induction engines require a higher octane for anti-knock. Sure you can run lower octane in those cars as the ECU can compensate for it. The result is power loss. However, ECU's cannot compensate for a higher octane than recommended. Basically, running a higher octane in a car rated for 87 means that there will be un-burned fuel because the engine cannot ignite and use all of it. This is one of those automotive myths similar to leaving a pick up trucks tailgate down to increase mileage. They both are false. Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Until someone comes out with a chip or an HPtune for it, no need. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Unless the computer is constantly trying to increase timing advance and listens for knock to know how far it can go. Higher octane would allow more advance if the computer is trying to dynamically adjust. This is something that we just don't know about this car. . . That said, I would stick with 87 since it is so much cheaper. Link to post Share on other sites
respdoc 4 Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 (edited) Unless the computer is constantly trying to increase timing advance and listens for knock to know how far it can go. The only way that would be possible is if the ECU is programmed that way (more aggressive). I am 99.9% sure their stock profile is not aggressive in any way (can't be 100% sure since I don't have access to the maps..but still ) Edited August 17, 2013 by respdoc Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Yup, would be nice to have access to fuel and timing maps. Link to post Share on other sites
brillo 4 Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Anyone use alldata, is a plain ole service manual available ? http://alldatadiy.com/ Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I doubt Alldata has the info yet, they normally take it from the factory manuals and those are still not available. Link to post Share on other sites
njresler 14 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Well it is a vvt high compression engine (10.5:1). So it can use and may even prefer to use the higher octane. But because it is vvt it is able to arrest spark for lower octane and use 87 fine. I do see a Noticable difference in power with 93 perticularly at take off and at 70+ mph. My mpgs are better due to more hp at take off. Also mpgs stay above 40mpg at 70-75mph which I don't get with 87. So it really equals out cost wise. Just up to you in what you want spend up front. Link to post Share on other sites
DennisLB 2 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 My 2013 LT 1 automatic seems to run best on the 90 octane plus I can feel a difference in power and less low rpm hesitations than with 87 octane regular but 93 octane super is no improvement in my car .. But with my older Chevys some cars same car same motor was more sensitive to the gas you put in ... I guess put in what your car runs best with that's what I do .. Link to post Share on other sites
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