2015 Verano Turbo - required/recommended fuel

[Skippy]

I can't find the 2015 owner's manual online, but per the 2014 manual: "For vehicles with a 2.0L engine, use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. Regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher can be used, but acceleration could be reduced, and an audible knocking noise may be heard."

Basically I just want to ensure that using 87 octane would be acceptable and should not damage the engine.
I.e. premium fuel is recommended but not required.

Others thoughts/input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Skippy

 

[Sonny@bnr]

91 or above only

 

[JDK_Ent]

The engine has a knock sensor which will prevent damage. Some performance will be lost going to a lower octane, but otherwise you should be fine. Just my opinion. Hopefully someone is lurking who can authoritatively answer this question.

Interesting reading: http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2014/05/turbochargers-small-engine-performance-future/

 

[Michiganss]

I recommend you use premium. Yes the there is a knock sensor, but that means it has to knock for it to see and adjust timing, that's not good for an engine, even if it happens a lot less with the knock sensor there.

You will also get better MPG with premium. I calculated out the cost difference between regular and premium and the difference in MPG, its not really costing you more to go with premium.

And heck, you bought a Turbo, if you want to run cheapy gas should have gone with the 2.4L.

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[Skippy]

There are several articles that would seem to indicate that using regular in a premium recommended engine would be unlikely to hurt the vehicle... some examples:

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/to-save-money-on-gas-stop-buying-premium.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...d-to-use-premium-gas-in-my-car/article554760/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...without-premium-fuel-and-so-can-you/index.htm

I'm aware the reducing from 91 to 87 should result in lower power and possibly impact fuel efficiency and that the 91 includes certain additives that are beneficial to the engine over time...

Thanks,
Skippy