I was wondering what octane of fuel is recommended for stock 4wheelers. I have a 2005 Kodiak 450 and my dealer told me to use premium gas of at least 92. I've been reading up on the internet and from what I read unless your motor is knocking or pinging running a higher octane fuel doesn't help at all especially for most stock vehicles or 4wheelers. With gas prices the way they are I want to know if running 87 is just as good or better or worse than running 92 octane fuel. If I'm gaining no benifit other than throwing my money away why do it? I read in consumer reports also that people have a misunderstanding of octanes. That people think premium (higher octane fuel) is better, gives you more power, and is cleaner...which they say is 100% not true. What is everyones thoughts?

 

hmm, I looked it up and the compression ratio is 10:1, not that low. I don't think you'll be able to run 87oct, but you should be able to run 89 and save a few cents.

 

run 87. i run it in all of my toys, no need to go to 93 unless your manual says specifically to run 89 or 93.

 

Hey Blindside..You seem to know alot there...so what compression ratios should you run different grades of gas?

 

Yes, you might be able to get away with running 87 pump gas, but it never hurts the life of the motor to run 93 either. It's not a performance motor so there is no need to worry about any other fuels than what you get at the pump. Higher octane fuels burn slower and more completely therefore giving you better performance and better efficiency. When the motor is cold you'll notice the biggest difference between 87 and 93 octane gas. It's worth the couple extra dimes a gallon to run 93 i.m.o. even with gas prices this high. Don't cut corners.

 

Seems the misconceptions never end. Higher octane fuels arent going to burn more completely because they burn slower, in fact the slower burn would allow for less fuel to be burnt in the same stroke. This is less efficient and wastes fuel along with creating carbon deposits in the combustion chamber. The only time that the slower burn is desired is when the fuel is combusting before the spark plug ignites it. The 93 octane will not be better on an engine that runs fine on 87, and 93 octane can in fact decrease both performance and fuel economy. This isnt a case of cutting corners, its a matter of using what works best instead of what costs more.

Run what your manual says.

 

I concur with MD56..
It all depends on your compression.
Premium is'nt cleaner nor does it contain more power than regular..

Look at this link.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...7/June/09.html

 

Well in my manual it says 85 octane or higher. But reaseraching other websites, since my compression is 10:1, I should be using 92 or higher. Which is correct? I noticed on Yamahas website alot of other ATVS are running a lower compression. Like the Grizzly 660 has a 9.1:1 compression...why is that? It has a smaller compression. And according to that compression the grizzy works well with 87 octane fuel. Why does the bigger ATV have lower compression?

 

I don't know all that much, theres a chart around these forums somewhere that all that stuff...

 

Anyone know what octane to use for different compression ratio's?? Anyone know where that chart is?