Originally Posted by mbepic
Wait no more! I have been using regular 87 octane since my first fill up April 2004; have over 23,000 kilometers (approx 15,000 miles) and have never heard any pinging / detonation. Car has been completely problem free and never been back to dealer for service.
BTW, on our recent trip to Florida in April, I was getting over 30 miles per U.S. gallon consistently on the highway (average 5 - 10 miles over speed limit driving).
The only mods I have made is, full dual exhaust and free flow air intake. Needless to say, I would not take the risk of aftermarket 'performance' re-chipping.
I don't believe that premium gas is required despite what the manufacturer recommends. They would invalidate the exhaust but for what reason; the engine runs much more efficiently.
Much obliged...need to test it some more, but besides the couples cents per gallon savings, so far I'm averaging 7 mpg extra on the highway fuel economy...if that holds up in the city, I'd be saving mondo bucks, and my only gripe with the car since I got it (besides perhaps no coffee holders) was that the fuel economy was 18.5 MPG, way below what I was expecting...
I just hit 15K miles myself.
Glad to hear your car didn't explode!