Regular gas in my m3

Prophizee · 10-28-2011, 02:57 PM

Some gas attendant filled up my car with regular gas instead of 93 octane should I be worried or it\'s no big deal thanks gents for the feedback

Chris M4CS · 10-28-2011, 02:59 PM

One tank is no big deal, I just would'nt do it all the time.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 10-28-2011, 03:03 PM

The ECU will retard timing to prevent knock. Don't make a habit of it but the engine will be safe.

templarklimek · 10-28-2011, 03:06 PM

America, the land of liberty? Where in a few states the govt. think you are too dumb to pump your own gas, lovely.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 10-28-2011, 03:09 PM

No worries one tank will do you no harm.

In fact on my e46 M3 (2002) I used 3 tanks of regular fuel then one tank of super in-between, did this for years without any issues.

luis_m3 · 10-28-2011, 03:10 PM

You're fine dude...

disapr · 10-28-2011, 03:31 PM

I wouldn't rip on the engine too much until you have used up the 87 and refill with 93.

Just my .02

I drove through NJ once and was really surprised that I couldn't fill my own tank.. Crazy place.

sprtstr012 · 10-28-2011, 03:36 PM

I have always see middle grade gas since the begining....any idea if this is bad for my car or is it okay? I have never used regular and rarely use supreme generally always middle grade.

MKE_M3 · 10-28-2011, 03:42 PM

modern cars are smart enough to detune themselves with insufficient octane. You, I assume, bought a high performance driver's car because performance matters. That, and the sometimes lower quality of lower octane gas (not really an issue), should be enough of a reason to run 93 octane gas, when available.

Plus, as gas gets more expensive, teh $ price differance gets smaller and smaller since the grade price differance is usually fixed in $ not %.

Templar · 10-28-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprtstr012

I have always see middle grade gas since the begining....any idea if this is bad for my car or is it okay? I have never used regular and rarely use supreme generally always middle grade.

What does the manual tell you to do?

M3SQRD · 10-28-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

What does the manual tell you to do?

Based on the question I'd be surprised if the owner's manual has been read.

Edward · 10-28-2011, 04:20 PM

What are the gas grades in non CA states? Ours goes 87, 89 and 91 and of course diesel where available. Every M3 in CA runs their lifetime with 91 and we know nothing better so it is the norm.

OBD II cars from 1996-present all have knock sensors. With a high compression ratio of 12.0:1, without knock sensors, there would be a lot of premature detonation in the cylinders because low octane fuel can't be compressed to those ratios without spontaneously igniting...however being a post 1996 car, the ECU will immediately retard the engine ignition timing. This is just a guess but it probably ignites the compressed fuel air mixture early so it doesn't do it automatically. Though I'm not sure how this works since you can't change how far the piston extends into the top of the stroke. Anyone care to chime in?

KIS · 10-28-2011, 04:49 PM

You can't fill your own gas tank in Jersey? In Texas, I'll let someone fill my tank when they pull my cold, dead fingers off of the the gas cap.............

1MOREMOD · 10-28-2011, 05:03 PM

oregon doesnt allow you to self fill either, at least they didnt used to.

Bart@AUTOcouture · 10-28-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by templarklimek

America, the land of liberty? Where in a few states the govt. think you are too dumb to pump your own gas, lovely.

The only thing we pump in Jersey is fists.

1MOREMOD · 10-28-2011, 05:07 PM

yeah buddy.

ADubM3 · 10-28-2011, 05:09 PM

You can fill it up with regular all you want with no problems.
Way too sensitive with this regular vs premium gas imo.

1MOREMOD · 10-28-2011, 05:11 PM

nice avatar

ADubM3 · 10-28-2011, 05:18 PM

Thanks bro, nice mods.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 10-28-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

nice avatar

behave yourself, remember you are getting married

it's okay go for it and look ... no touching now you hear

shamoo · 10-28-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart@AUTOcouture

The only thing we pump in Jersey is fists

::like::

Ateam · 10-28-2011, 07:10 PM

I think it is hilarious when people say things like "one tank is ok but I would not make a habit of it!"

By the logic you guys use than you should never be driving in the heat and severe humidity of summer either since your car is doing the same thing it is doing with lower octane gas, which is pulling timing and thus creating less power. If you do not care about having less hp or you drive pretty softly than there is not one problem running 87 your whole life and will do nothing to your engine.

Running 87 in 60 degree weather is probably better and you get less timing pulled than running 91 in 100 degree summer weather.

Now if you run 87 and floor the car a bunch than you might as well use 91 since you are giving up a bunch of power but as long as you do not care about the power it is totally fine to use it forever with NO damage to anything

10-28-2011, 02:57 PM	#1
Prophizee First Lieutenant 46 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2012 GTR, 2014 x1 3.5 Msport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central New Jersey iTrader: (2)	Regular gas in my m3 Some gas attendant filled up my car with regular gas instead of 93 octane should I be worried or it\'s no big deal thanks gents for the feedback
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10-28-2011, 02:59 PM	#2
Chris M4CS First Lieutenant 27 Rep 313 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW M4CS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	One tank is no big deal, I just would'nt do it all the time.
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10-28-2011, 03:06 PM	#4
templarklimek templarklimek 142 Rep 868 Posts Drives: 15' X6M, 12' R8 V10, Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston Texas iTrader: (0)	America, the land of liberty? Where in a few states the govt. think you are too dumb to pump your own gas, lovely.
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10-28-2011, 03:09 PM	#5
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	No worries one tank will do you no harm. In fact on my e46 M3 (2002) I used 3 tanks of regular fuel then one tank of super in-between, did this for years without any issues. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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10-28-2011, 03:10 PM	#6
luis_m3 Low Pro... 35 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	You're fine dude...
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10-28-2011, 03:31 PM	#7
disapr drop a gear and... 79 Rep 967 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	I wouldn't rip on the engine too much until you have used up the 87 and refill with 93. Just my .02 I drove through NJ once and was really surprised that I couldn't fill my own tank.. Crazy place. __________________ WTB - 2006/05 ZCP 6MT M3 w/ under 85k (Link to WTB)
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10-28-2011, 03:36 PM	#8
sprtstr012 First Lieutenant 24 Rep 374 Posts Drives: e92 SG coupe Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rockville maryland iTrader: (3)	I have always see middle grade gas since the begining....any idea if this is bad for my car or is it okay? I have never used regular and rarely use supreme generally always middle grade.
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10-28-2011, 03:42 PM	#9
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	modern cars are smart enough to detune themselves with insufficient octane. You, I assume, bought a high performance driver's car because performance matters. That, and the sometimes lower quality of lower octane gas (not really an issue), should be enough of a reason to run 93 octane gas, when available. Plus, as gas gets more expensive, teh $ price differance gets smaller and smaller since the grade price differance is usually fixed in $ not %. __________________
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10-28-2011, 04:20 PM	#12
Edward Colonel 377 Rep 2,982 Posts Drives: 2013.9999 E92 Jerez ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	What are the gas grades in non CA states? Ours goes 87, 89 and 91 and of course diesel where available. Every M3 in CA runs their lifetime with 91 and we know nothing better so it is the norm. OBD II cars from 1996-present all have knock sensors. With a high compression ratio of 12.0:1, without knock sensors, there would be a lot of premature detonation in the cylinders because low octane fuel can't be compressed to those ratios without spontaneously igniting...however being a post 1996 car, the ECU will immediately retard the engine ignition timing. This is just a guess but it probably ignites the compressed fuel air mixture early so it doesn't do it automatically. Though I'm not sure how this works since you can't change how far the piston extends into the top of the stroke. Anyone care to chime in?
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10-28-2011, 04:49 PM	#13
KIS Lieutenant 38 Rep 543 Posts Drives: 2015 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	You can't fill your own gas tank in Jersey? In Texas, I'll let someone fill my tank when they pull my cold, dead fingers off of the the gas cap.............
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10-28-2011, 05:03 PM	#14
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	oregon doesnt allow you to self fill either, at least they didnt used to. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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10-28-2011, 05:07 PM	#16
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	yeah buddy. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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10-28-2011, 05:09 PM	#17
ADubM3 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NoVa 703 iTrader: (0)	You can fill it up with regular all you want with no problems. Way too sensitive with this regular vs premium gas imo.
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10-28-2011, 05:11 PM	#18
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	nice avatar __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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10-28-2011, 05:18 PM	#19
ADubM3 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NoVa 703 iTrader: (0)	Thanks bro, nice mods.
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10-28-2011, 07:10 PM	#22
Ateam Banned 88 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I think it is hilarious when people say things like "one tank is ok but I would not make a habit of it!" By the logic you guys use than you should never be driving in the heat and severe humidity of summer either since your car is doing the same thing it is doing with lower octane gas, which is pulling timing and thus creating less power. If you do not care about having less hp or you drive pretty softly than there is not one problem running 87 your whole life and will do nothing to your engine. Running 87 in 60 degree weather is probably better and you get less timing pulled than running 91 in 100 degree summer weather. Now if you run 87 and floor the car a bunch than you might as well use 91 since you are giving up a bunch of power but as long as you do not care about the power it is totally fine to use it forever with NO damage to anything
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