What octane?

[DanVT]

Okay, maybe the dumbest question that will ever appear in these forums:

I have a brand new Outback 3.6 Limited. The manual says use 87 octane gas unless the engine has a turbo. Just had the car in the dealer to install a bumper guard, and the service guy said with the 2.5 you can use 87 octane, but with the 3.6 I should use 93 octane. Any thoughts?

[OBnube]

Who do you trust more, the factory or a service guy? You will be fine with 87.

[loaba]

I use regular unleaded, 'cause it's the cheapest thing at the pump. If my engine falls out prematurely, well I guess I might reconsider. Until then I'll use the cheap stuff and drive more (while worrying less.)

[DanVT]

So how can a service guy, I mean this is what he does all day, not have this basic information right? I swear dealerships drive me nuts if this is true.

They pulled a kind of a fast one too. Told me the two options that they needed to install (because they couldn't find a car with them, they are very small items) would be $160, and I paid up front. Then when they were done they handed me an additional bill for $95 for labor (less than an hour) which included $ for shop supplies. This must have been rental on the wrench they used to tighten four bolts or the rag they needed to use to wipe off the dust on my rear bumper. They make a big deal about needing a 10 on all their surveys (reminds me of my overly grade conscious students), but... I may call and complain to them. End of rant.

So far I really love the car though, though sometimes the down shifting when I take my foot of the gas is not super smooth.

[ob2011]

All 2010-2011 Outbacks sold in the USA are designed to run properly on regular 97 octane gasoline. As the OP mentioned, it's in the Owners Manual.

[fatabbot]

Originally Posted by DanVT

So how can a service guy, I mean this is what he does all day, not have this basic information right?

For the same reason that car salesman often know less about the cars they're selling than their customers.....the dealership doesn't require them to.

The service tech or advisor might still be stuck on the rules for the older 3.0 H6 which did require premium.

[sube_fresh]

Originally Posted by fatabbot

For the same reason that car salesman often know less about the cars their selling than their customers.....the dealership doesn't require them to.

The service tech or advisor might still be stuck on the rules for the older 3.0 H6 which did require premium.

+1, 3.0 required higher octane. The 3.6 is able to run Regular 87, says right on the inside back flap of owners manual. I personaly run Mid grade all the time, for no reason but other than I want to.

fatabbot is right, the salesmen know jack about what they sell most of time.

[Somerset Max]

Originally Posted by ob2011

All 2010-2011 Outbacks sold in the USA are designed to run properly on regular 97 octane gasoline. As the OP mentioned, it's in the Owners Manual.

97 Octane?
Really?
Where would one obtain that gasoline?

I believe you are referring to 87 octane gas, just as is stated in the Owner's Manual.

My previous Outback, a 2002 3.0 six-cylinder model did require premium gas, and that is what I used faithfully.
With my 2001 3.6 R Limited Outback, I use only regular-grade gas, and the car performs beautifully. Besides yielding 22-23 mpg in local driving and 27-29 mpg on long highway drives, the acceleration is...awesome...with regular gas.

Do as the manual states, and ignore the mechanic.

[pineywoodslim]

I live in a state (Iowa of course) where ethanol 10% blend is a required option at the pump. It rates at 89 octane and costs a dime less per gallon than straight gasoline that rates at 87 octane.

Been burning the 87 octane straight gas ever since I bought my OB in May. I know mileage is better with the straight gas, and the 10 cents per gallon more is offset by that.

But are there any mechanical/engine advantages to running pure gas over the 10% ethanol? I doubt it, but just curious.

[pineywoodslim]

Originally Posted by Somerset Max

97 Octane?
Really?
Where would one obtain that gasoline?

When I lived in Houston about 20 some odd years ago, there was an Exxon station on the posh westside of town that had, I believe, 94 octane. Figured it was for the Masseratis, Ferraris, etc. in that neck of the woods.