[SMA335i]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, can the use of too high of an octane gas trigger any codes or faults which can be read by "Big Brother BMW"

[Rotary Rasp]

I'm pretty sure it does.

[Turbo>NA]

Originally Posted by SMA335i

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, can the use of too high of an octane gas trigger any codes or faults which can be read by "Big Brother BMW"

Depends on a lot of things. Be more specific.

I put 101 unleaded with my SSTT a lot and I threw no codes at all. The car was a lot more faster and responsive..

[Finnie]

Uk has 99ron at the pumps as Super. No problems here

[Johnnyr135]

Depending on the gas some times it can foul out the spark plugs

[GeorgiaTech335coupe]

I've run anywhere from 93 to 104 octane, on multiple occassions. No codes when scanned with a GT1 (Procede).

[Miami Bimmer06]

So If I have half a tank of 93 octane, and I put 100 octane I should be ok then?

[GeorgiaTech335coupe]

Originally Posted by Miami Bimmer06

So If I have half a tank of 93 octane, and I put 100 octane I should be ok then?

You'd be ok on a full tank of 100.

[Rotary Rasp]

Interesting, I was told that pure 100+ octane will throw a code.

[GeorgiaTech335coupe]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

Interesting, I was told that pure 100+ octane will throw a code.

Ive ran 100 octane plenty of times. I just got a clutch replaced and had a friend scan with a GT1, no codes.

[techforge]

I don't see how higher octane would throw a code unless it was leaded and screwed your O2 sensors and cats.

[SV Concepts]

REMEMBER guys that altitude plays a factor in that, too, because the code doesn't come from the octane (AFAIK), it comes from the Air/Fuel ratio being screwy.

For someone in Colorado, 100 Octane is less of a difference from the norm than for those of us in Sunny California.

[sd390r]

in NJ plenty of us have run on strictly VP MS109 which has a motor octane of 105 and no codes that i know of..

[Tuned335i]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

Interesting, I was told that pure 100+ octane will throw a code.

Really. Who was that?

[SMA335i]

Originally Posted by Turbo>NA

Depends on a lot of things. Be more specific.

I put 101 unleaded with my SSTT a lot and I threw no codes at all. The car was a lot more faster and responsive..

My question came after reading the thread pertaining to the recent JB+ dyno results on a stock vehicle (Official **NEW** JB+ Dynos ). The general consensus seems to be that anything above the default setting of 2.75psi may cause the tune to be visible on a post 29.2 MSD81 model. So in order to be "diagnostically invisible" and get more power at default setting, I was thinking of using 94-95 octane gas on those "play" weekends. So I was wondering if this higher octane with the JB+ (even though it is at default 2.75psi) would create any codes which can create suspicion of a "tune".

[Holygrail]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

Interesting, I was told that pure 100+ octane will throw a code.

BTW, there's no such thing as pure. Gasoline in the states are of poor quality compared to Europe. Plus BMW engineers designed the engine without having corn fuel on their mind (that 10% ethanol that is). In order to make higher octane, fuel engineers throw in many additives.

To get to the point, I used to use 108 Turbo octane with my CP-E and SS-TT, mostly on long distance trips (VA TO NY and back) b/c of increased fuel efficiency and quicker highway car passing speeds. One bottle would be good for a maximum 22 gallon tank, and ours is only 16.9G large (correct me if I'm wrong). The car ran strong and healthy with 108% owner's satisfaction. One day my check engine light flickered on and off. I brought it to the dealer b/c nothing happens for nothing. It threw off a code stating "foreign additive detected." When the SA approached me and asked what I added to the fuel, my heart had skipped a beat, and I was like "how'd he know??" So I told him the half of truth by saying that I was adding fuel injector cleaners every 5000 miles b/c I wanted to take very good care of my car from the beginning so the car would last me a very long time. Well, good intentions he thought and told me that all the BMW dealerships just received a bullet on their email from BMW HQ, stating NOT TO USE ANY ADDITIVES, including BMW's brand name fuel additives and cleaners. I hope this answers everyone's question. I understand that just b/c it happened to me does not mean it'll happen to you. However, eventually, something gots to give...someday.

Food for thought. This kinda reminds me of the Marine that died two years ago in the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C., who was only few weeks away from his 20-yr retirement. Everyone was so surprised and said, "...but he was a Marine, and practically ran his whole life?!!" Well, the stress finally caught up to his heart. Trust me, as a former Marine, that "above and beyond" lifestyle is extremely stressful. That 100+ octane makes our cars go above and beyond, and we're just reducing our engine's lifespan.

v/r,
Chris

[Ilma]

Originally Posted by Holygrail

BTW, there's no such thing as pure. Gasoline in the states are of poor quality compared to Europe. Plus BMW engineers designed the engine without having corn fuel on their mind (that 10% ethanol that is). In order to make higher octane, fuel engineers throw in many additives.

To get to the point, I used to use 108 Turbo octane with my CP-E and SS-TT, mostly on long distance trips (VA TO NY and back) b/c of increased fuel efficiency and quicker highway car passing speeds. One bottle would be good for a maximum 22 gallon tank, and ours is only 16.9G large (correct me if I'm wrong). The car ran strong and healthy with 108% owner's satisfaction. One day my check engine light flickered on and off. I brought it to the dealer b/c nothing happens for nothing. It threw off a code stating "foreign additive detected." When the SA approached me and asked what I added to the fuel, my heart had skipped a beat, and I was like "how'd he know??" So I told him the half of truth by saying that I was adding fuel injector cleaners every 5000 miles b/c I wanted to take very good care of my car from the beginning so the car would last me a very long time. Well, good intentions he thought and told me that all the BMW dealerships just received a bullet on their email from BMW HQ, stating NOT TO USE ANY ADDITIVES, including BMW's brand name fuel additives and cleaners. I hope this answers everyone's question. I understand that just b/c it happened to me does not mean it'll happen to you. However, eventually, something gots to give...someday.

Food for thought. This kinda reminds me of the Marine that died two years ago in the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C., who was only few weeks away from his 20-yr retirement. Everyone was so surprised and said, "...but he was a Marine, and practically ran his whole life?!!" Well, the stress finally caught up to his heart. Trust me, as a former Marine, that "above and beyond" lifestyle is extremely stressful. That 100+ octane makes our cars go above and beyond, and we're just reducing our engine's lifespan.

v/r,
Chris

I would be pretty skeptical that there is a code for fuel additives.

As far as I know, there is no engine sensor that can determine your octane.

It's probably more likely that they tested a sample of your gas.

They often do this to determine if someone's ethanol content is higher than 10% and I think there is a quick test they can do chemically on the spot.

[Holygrail]

Originally Posted by Ilma

I would be pretty skeptical that there is a code for fuel additives.

As far as I know, there is no engine sensor that can determine your octane.

It's probably more likely that they tested a sample of your gas.

They often do this to determine if someone's ethanol content is higher than 10% and I think there is a quick test they can do chemically on the spot.

That's what I said at first...how can the car be so advanced? Besides, whatever the computer sensed wasn't the octane. It detected something in the fuel. I know it wasn't a fuel test b/c I had it done twice. An ethanol test only takes 30 minutes to perform. Besides, after 4 BMWs, they would tell me straight out whether they performed a fuel test. I don't give these guys gift certificates to stakehouses and bottles of JW for Christmas for nothing. These guys hooked me up in the past. Anyhow, because they told me to stop, I did.