Honda Car Forum

Hello!

I recently bought a Honda Civic Hybrid 2005 and its User Manual says
that "Gasoline Grade should be 86 or higher", which means any grade
above 86 which could be "Regular 87", or "Mid-Grade 89" or even
"Premium 93" can be used, as I understand. If I use "93 Grade
Gasoline", will it do any harm to the engine? What are the pluses and
minuses in using the "93 Grade"? What would you recommend and why?

I thank you for your time and will appreciate your advise.

Regards,
SG

The 2005 Accord Hybrid has a 10.5:1 compression ratio. High compression
ratios are generally what cause the requirement for higher octane fuel.
Honda has a sophisticated engine management system that in effect detunes
the engine slightly to allow the use of lower octane fuel without spark
knock. 93 grade gas will add about 5 hp to the engine, and is really what
the engine would work best with--although for marketing reasons, Honda is
not explicitly stating this. Neither grade will harm the engine, and you
can save quite a bit of money by using the "Regular 87" gas. Previous
high-compression Honda engines were recommended to use premium fuel with the
comment that lower octane fuel would not damage the engine, but the engine
management system would detune the engine to prevent preignition. The
system is so advanced now that the engines work fine on lower octane fuel,
and it is actually rated based on the 87 octane fuel. But, between you and
me, the car really "wants" the premium 93. No harm either way, though.

"SG" <Shur007@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119751398.187134.76360@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hello!
>
> I recently bought a Honda Civic Hybrid 2005 and its User Manual says
> that "Gasoline Grade should be 86 or higher", which means any grade
> above 86 which could be "Regular 87", or "Mid-Grade 89" or even
> "Premium 93" can be used, as I understand. If I use "93 Grade
> Gasoline", will it do any harm to the engine? What are the pluses and
> minuses in using the "93 Grade"? What would you recommend and why?
>
> I thank you for your time and will appreciate your advise.
>
> Regards,
> SG
>

SG <Shur007@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119751398.187134.76360@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hello!
>
> I recently bought a Honda Civic Hybrid 2005 and its User Manual says
> that "Gasoline Grade should be 86 or higher", which means any grade
> above 86 which could be "Regular 87", or "Mid-Grade 89" or even
> "Premium 93" can be used, as I understand. If I use "93 Grade
> Gasoline", will it do any harm to the engine? What are the pluses and
> minuses in using the "93 Grade"? What would you recommend and why?
>
> I thank you for your time and will appreciate your advise.
>
> Regards,
> SG
>
87 is over 86. Why pay 5-10 cents more for way over 86 if 87 is OK? No reason.
Using the higher grades won't damage anything but your pocket...