I live in Atlanta,GA. I have a E-320 with a gasoline engine. Can I use regular gas(87 octane)? We have a gas shortage and I can't find Premium(91-93) gas.

 

My E-320 is a 1997 model.

 

You cant find Premium gas? Then run the second highest octaine and do not fill up the tank. put about 1/4 a tank. Drive to a place where there might be Premium and fill it.

 

The only gas that we have in the Atlanta area because on Ike is 87 regular.I don't know when this gas shortage will end. Do you think 87 gas will hurt my engine(1997 E-320) ? I also have 2001 LS430 Lexus that uses Premium gas. The Lexus book says that you can use regular if Premium can not be found.

 

One tank of regular gasoline will havea negligible effect on your engine. So do it. It´s not like if you are going to drive thousands of miles on regular gas ... which by the way is what almost every mb taxi driver in middle east do every day. You are in an emergency, your priorities come first, the car later. But I´m pretty sure there will be no problems at all.

 

I would put a product in the tank like Techron-not to octane boost, but to keep the injectors clean until you find Premium. Premium typically has the best anti-knock additives and the most injector cleaner (Shell, Texaco and Exxon) . Keep you foot off the gas and drive sensibly-listen for knock (detonation/pre-ignition), although it can be going on and you won't hear it.

Kevin

 

You can run 87 but you will notice a reduction in power. This is because your knock sensor will pull back your ignition curve to keep the engine from knocking.

When I say power loss I mean it could be a big one. During the last 1970's gas shortages I could only get 87 for my Olds 98 with a 455 ci and it knocked at 23 mph. I just had to stay off the interstate until I could find some 104 which you could still get in those days.

If you hear knocking, which sounds like ball-bearings rattling around in your engine, then back off as this will wear your pistons out by blowing holes in the top of them.

By now you have likely run some 87. Post a message here and let everyone know how it worked.

idecelr8

 

I agree with real shepard. As long as you are not racing and reving rpm's you should not have a problem. It is not recommended but it should not have any long term effects on your motor. Just don't do it often! I have plenty of customers that have been running 89 for years and are never hard on the car or reving high rpm's and they have never had a problem. Good Luck up there.

 

 

thats funny ... cuz its true