Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 15:11:23 GMT From: John Davies <johndaviesNOSPAMnopsam.net> Subject: Re: 9-5 Wagon?
On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 07:36:14 +0100, "Lee Marshall" <leenopsamamenigma-it.com> wrote: >What octane booster do you use? How much does it boost the octane? > >I always use 98 octane super unleaded (as recommended by Saab) or 95 premium >if I cannot get hold of it. I was recently told by Saab that you shouldn't >use higher than 98 because it goes beyond the reach of the Trionic ECU. >Surely if you use an octane booster with 98 octane fuel you are wasting your >money? You are quoting European octane numbers here - in the USA our "normal" premium gas is rated at 92 or 93 (the average of the Research and Motor Octane ratings). In the high mountain areas (above 4000 or 5000 feet) and in all of California, I believe, premium is only 90 or 91, so an octane booster really does help, especially with the Saab engine management system, which adapts well to keep power as close to sea level output as possible. Car and Driver Magasine recently did a test on premium vs regular fuel, and the Saab HOT engine rmeasureably reduced power with lower octane fuel. This is one car that will respond to an octane boost, though there are limits, as you mentioned. http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/november/200111_feature_gasoline.xml?keywords=octane QUOTE: The results were more dramatic with the test cars that require premium fuel. The turbocharged Saab's sophisticated Trionic engine-control system dialed the power back 9.8 percent on regular gas, and performance dropped 10.1 percent at the track. UNQUOTE I think the stuff I used was "Outlaw" - there was a photo of some grinning stock car racer on the front. It was supposed to boost octane to 104 (USA measurement). It worked well for me. I do not normally use the stuff, since I live at a very low altitude. John Davies Monroe WA USA 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon 2000 Audi A4 quattro 1.8T 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4
