Best gasoline for Hyundai Elantra?

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by glassfern53, Mar 18, 2007.

  1. glassfern53

    glassfern53 Guest

    Hello All,

    What is the best gasoline to use for a 2004 Elantra? I'm presently
    using 87 octane Mobil or Exxon and am thinking of switching to 89
    octane. I just had a tune up and a fuel injector cleaning done, but,
    am experiencing some pinging and engine knock on acceleration, or
    going up a hill. If I use a higher octane will higher burn rate hurt
    the cylinders? I appreciate the advice. (What if I fill half full of
    87 and half full of 89 octane?)
     
    glassfern53, Mar 18, 2007
    #1
  2. glassfern53

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Fill it up. You won't hurt anything by going to 89 octane. You could burn
    hi-test if you really wanted to simply spend money for no reason, and still
    not hurt anything.
     
    Mike Marlow, Mar 18, 2007
    #2
  3. glassfern53

    hyundaitech Guest

    Higher octanes have a *lower* burn rate. That's why there's less pinging.

    There's no problem with using 89 Octane other than the additional money
    you'll spend.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 18, 2007
    #3
  4. Unless you live in the Midwest, and then, due to ethanol tax credits and the
    like, often 89 - ethanol blend is cheaper than 87 - straight unleaded.
     
    Rev. Tom Wenndt, Mar 19, 2007
    #4
  5. Going to the higher octane may or may not stop the pinging, but it certainly
    won't fix the problem. It will take an extra few dollars out of your pocket
    every time you fill up. Maybe the guy that did the alleged tune up did
    something to cause the problem if it just started.

    Most cars today, including the Elantra, are designed to run on 87 octane and
    have no gain no improvement, no benefit, when the 89 is used. Yes, you can
    also mix them to waste a little less money.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Mar 19, 2007
    #5
  6. That's not true. Slower burning high-octane fuels will not burn
    completely in an engine that's designed for faster burning, lower-octane
    fuels. The end result is poorer performance, lower gas mileage and
    carbon buildup in the engine.

    If the OP's engine is pinging, he may have no choice other than to use
    89 octane fuel, but I wouldn't go any higher than that. If the 89
    doesn't stop the pinging, something else is wrong. It may indicate a
    sensor issue that's causing the timing to be advanced too far or perhaps
    the knock sensor has failed.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Mar 19, 2007
    #6
  7. My theory is that higher octane fuel may actually be less efficient
    because it's still burning when the exhaust valves open -- part of the
    charge just blows out the tailpipe.

    For the same reason, it may even lead to burned exhaust valves.
     
    Richard Steinfeld, Mar 19, 2007
    #7
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