Lower Octane OK in Colorado?

[psweath]

My dealer says that even though the manual says to use 87 octane, because of our altitude in the Denver area, the engine will actually run better on 85 and that is what I should use. I've researched this a bit, and there are clearly two camps on the subject. One says that this altitude/octane ruling only applies to old carbureted engines, and that newer engines already compensate for altitude, so you should not use lower octane, but stick with the 87. My salesperson actually crossed out 87 octane in the owner's manual and wrote in 85. I asked if Honda had authorized them to do that, and she said yes. What do YOU think? Thanks! I have yet to add any gas (only 200 miles on the new CR-V) and want to be sure to put in the right stuff!

[cr-vtec]

If honda says put 87 or higher, then just stick with what honda says because they know your car more than your salesperson. :)

[psweath]

I agree cr-vtec. Just went out and filled 'er up with 87!!! Thanks for the reply!

[cr-vtec]

No problem!:D

[Black Pearl]

The same one that didn't know what the bag of shiny things were? Hmmm!

If your manual says to use 87 and you use 85 under your salesperson's wisdom, will Honda honor any warranty claims that may be associated with using the wrong fuel?

My salesman told me that there is a laser in the oil pan that senses when the oil needs changed. Another salesman told me that a Honda will last 300,000 miles with little or no service required. Amazing!

Salespersons often suffer from constipation of the mind and diarrhea of the mouth.

[2RedV's]

Salesperson was on crack.
Where can one even find 85 octane, other than Mexico and some other 3rd world countries?
In my area, 89 is cheaper than 87 due to ethanol. However, ethanol blended fuels produce less power (BTU's) than pure gasoline so fuel mileage suffers slightly.

[psweath]

You guys crack me up! And yes, it is the same salesperson that got me worried about VSA, and didn't know what the shiny things are (those are still a mystery to the entire dealership now).

But 2RedV's, just an FYI, here in Denver, our regular grade is 85 at all the stations, mid-grade is 87 and the highest you can buy is premium at 91.

Thanks guys.

[2RedV's]

You guys crack me up! And yes, it is the same salesperson that got me worried about VSA, and didn't know what the shiny things are (those are still a mystery to the entire dealership now).

But 2RedV's, just an FYI, here in Denver, our regular grade is 85 at all the stations, mid-grade is 87 and the highest you can buy is premium at 91.

Thanks guys.I just looked up some info on that. Dang! 85 octane really is sold in the US! Your V does have knock-sensors and will adjust the timing and fuel mix to compensate. However... it will not compensate itself to produce more power with 91 octane than it will produce with 87. In other words, you can buy lower grade fuel and get less power, but you cannot buy higher grade fuel in order to try and make more power. (Does that make sense?)

[fatboyslim]

85 and 87 ron!!
Lowest we get in the UK is 95 also available are various makes of 'SUPER' unleaded which varies from 97-99 ron