My service manager told me yesterday that especially during the winter, I should run regular unleaded instead of premium  . I live at 6000ft. (Lake Tahoe) and he stated that at elevation (dealership is at 4500ft. in Reno, NV.) the car would run better. If I plan on being anywhere below 4000 ft. I should switch back. The reason I took it in was for a check engine light on our X5 that came on after starting it on a very cold morning. Light came on because of misfire. He said that running a lower octane would save me from this cold start problem. Anyone else ever get this advice or have any thoughts or background on this? Thanks! |
| Reply » Lower grade fuel suggested?! |
you can use midgrade on all current BMW engines with the exception of M's and the new turbo. however you need to use either Texaco, Shell, or Chevron as they use just as many cleaners/detergents in all grades as they do in their premium. one of the big BMW engineers came to the dealership a few months ago and let everyone know.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
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| Reply » Lower grade fuel suggested?! |
Here's something I found in a quick search and it seems to make sense...
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3495
In your high-altitude instance there is no reason to spend the extra money for premium. Cylinder pressures are lower at altitude due to the reduced engine breathing, so there is automatically a reduced need for high octane. When you do travel to the flatlands, however, premium fuel is required. True, your engine will adjust itself for less than premium, but there'll be a flatland diminishing of performance.
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| Reply » Lower grade fuel suggested?! |
It's true that not as much octane is required at high elevations. As a matter of fact, in spread out high elevation areas, they sell 85 octane gas. Of course they don't do that in Truckee because of all the people that would fill up and then drive down the hill.
I don't know if I'd go down to 87, but 89 would be fine.
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| Reply » Lower grade fuel suggested?! |
I was told by the salesman I could use 89 and be fine. But I in Boston. Does this sound correct and in line with your mid grade recommendation?
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| Reply » Lower grade fuel suggested?! |
Quote: | I was told by the salesman I could use 89 and be fine. But I in Boston. Does this sound correct and in line with your mid grade recommendation? |
You should use premium, as stated in the owner's manual.
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Lower grade fuel suggested?!