Any Contour, Mystique or Cougar, (except SVT'S), built between 3/1/98 & 5/3/99 did NOT have a knock sensor. Any model with a production date outside of this period, including all SVT's, (as already mentioned), and pre-98's, DO have knock sensors.
You are driving a car with 10.25:1 compression (maybe a little less because it is a 98.5) compared with most cars out there that are at like 9:1. When it already cost $50+ to fill up your car, what significance is that extra $2 for premium once every week or so? Take your lunch to work one day a week, and you've more than made up for it. Your car should run better, last longer, and give you better fuel economy. Tests have shown that running premium in cars designed for regular 87 has no positive effects, however running 87 in a car made for premium DOES have negative effects.why would you buy an csvt or se with a 5 speed for that matter if your going too drive it below 3600 rpm:shrug::crazy: kinda like having a boss 302 and only using the engine till 2000 rpm
Higher the octane the less the chance that combustion will occur at the wrong time, SVT's have higher compression so they need higher octane gas so combustion will not occur due to the higher compression. Basically the knock from putting in 87 happens because the pressure causes the gas to combust before the spark plug sparks (bad)
either. Higher octane fuel isnt better it can just withstand more compression.Wow, way to give advice on something you know nothing about...
I love these threads where the blind lead the blind.
For premium fuel, don't forget that there is no sensor to "detect" lower grade fuel, there is only a sensor to detect knock. Knocking is BAD. In a pinch you can use 87, but using it on a regular basis means you will likely be hitting knock every time you get hard on the throttle, and then the knock sensor will trigger the timing to be pulled back. This means that every time the knock sensor pulls timing that some knock had to have occurred already for it to detect it. Is it going to blow up? no, but its definitely not helpful to the long term health of the engine. I mean for chrissake, you spent the money on a brand new car and you aren't willing to protect your investment...
Calculate your additional cost per year...it is going to be a $200 difference at most.
This was my post on Cobaltss.net
Geesh...talk about the bad advice being offered :nonono:
Pete's post is right on.
If you do go with 987 octane you will save 2.90 on a tank :shrug:
fill up once a week. a total of 54 weeks you spend 156.60.
Now if that is a whole lot then i understand. I don't know how well your doing in life. But i recommend 93 because when your flooring you car in back of your head you will be thinking man, i wish i was actually running 93.
Higher the octane the less the chance that combustion will occur at the wrong time, SVT's have higher compression so they need higher octane gas so combustion will not occur due to the higher compression. Basically the knock from putting in 87 happens because the pressure causes the gas to combust before the spark plug sparks (bad)
Diesel fuel is like 40 octane they want it to explode (combust) due to pressure alone (hense no spark plug)
So for those with non-svts putting higher octane in wont do