If you want some info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_..._octane_rating

 

Great Wiki reference. Thanks. I have seen many forums bounce around the issue of octane use. Especially in motorcycle forums. My VTwin motorcycle does not have "knock sensor" technology and will knock if octane is too low. I think also that most fuel now has additives to prevent too much gunk from forming on the valves etc. It also makes sence to me that in trying to prevent the knock from low octane early detonation, you can lose some power when retarding the spark. So I guess you cant go by whether or not the engine knocks.
Thanks everyone. I pick up my GT tonight, I guess she gets 91 octane. I will still save a ton of cash since I am getting rid of my Nissan Titan that gets 13mpg .
I was just wondering what you all were using and your experiences.
Thanks,
Chek6

 

No worries mate!

It's always a pleasure to help out when we can.

Enjoy the forum, there's always heaps of good tips and discussion.

 

I have a 2010 Outlander GT and have been using 91 octane. I currently have about a little over 2000 miles on the odometer and have been averaging 23.72 mpg. I am very light on the pedal. I want to see just how fuel efficient I can drive. So far, my Outlander GT has performed well. My last 3 tanks have been about 50% city and 50% highway. I have averaged just over 22 mpg on those tanks. On a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back, the Outlander averaged just over 26 mpg. Again, all of it done with 91 octane using various brands of gas with the Outlander on "tarmac" mode.

 

With my '07, if I use cruise control around town, it gets a lot better mileage than if I control the throttle. I'll get in after my wife and it shows her driving at 13-14mpg! I'll use cruise and get it back up to 19-20.

 

I was using 87 octane for the first 3000 miles. I did not encounter any problems and had an average MPG of 21.4 for mixed driving.

I just started to use 93 octane recently and have to say the outlander "feels" a lot better. I'll keep track of the MPG to see if there is a large difference between the two octanes.

 

Well so far I am smitten with this car. In regards to the fuel. I have been running 91. At the end of the tank I end up at between 24-26 mpg. Couldn't be happier. I did notice that as the tank burns down, my average mpg creeps up. Eg. If I were to fill up at 1/2 tank my avg mpg would be about 23. I get about 360 miles on the last tank. Burning 89 now. Will see how that goes.
Thanks all
Chek6

 

I'll give something higher a try on the next fill up, but I have been running 87 in my 2007 since I got it with no issues.
About octane, the higher the number the less detonation will occur, and the slower it will burn. On the other end are the gasolines that were made for the uber-high revving Honda motorcycle racing engines of the 50's and 60's. I read somewhere that the octanes got down into the 50's because it burned so fast. The engines revved so high that normal gas would not completely burn in the power stroke.

 

Every dealer will tell you something different.
Recommended is 91, but NOT required.

Outlander has dual knock sensors, one for 87 and one for 91+ octane.

You will be fine either way.

And you should not assume that this will cause higher service costs. Explain how...since the motor was designed to run 87 octane as well. I doubt, that you will ever be able to track any engine problems back to 87 octane fuel.

Just my 2 cents!!!

 

My driving is 50/50 city and highway. I am getting consistent 25-26 mpg. No complaints. Will it get better after break in?
Thanks,
Chek6