which grade of fuel to use?

[rabbit]

I just purchased a 03 SAN 210 it has the 330 HP motor. It also has Low Emmision stickers on the motor and hull. I used Super for the first tank, should I stick with super or will any grade be fine? I feel strange using lesser grades, since I am used to running super in my cars.

Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

From the 2003 PCM Owner's Manual.......

[Red57Bird]

I have the exact boat and motor and I run regular grade fuel. I believe that others on the forum will confirm that anything higher than standard grade fuel is a complete waste of money. The PCM owner's manual also specifies on page 21 that 87 octane fuel should be used, even with the ZR6 motor. It also mentions that use of higher octane fuel can cause a temporary reduction in performance. I'm assuming this is because the timing on these engines are managed by a computer, which is set up assuming 87 octane fuel. Using higher octane likely causes the engine management computer to adjust timing, affecting performance.

I'm sure others on the board, who are much more engine knowledgeable than I, will chime in to confirm or correct me. Enjoy your SAN - I know we have.

[swc5150]

87 octane is fine, it's the ethanol in nearly 100% of 87 grade fuel at gas stations. I run premium in my boat for the sole reason that my local station's premium is also 100% gasoline. Plus, gasoline provides a greater fuel efficiency than ethanol, so the extra cost at the pump is partially mitigated by the fuel economy.

[2004196]

Grade of Gas

This a topic with hundreds of opinions, like the best oil, TV, car ........ I run only Premium, in everything, including my lawnmower. Waste of money, I don't care.

[sean950054]

Fuel

I have always run premium in my boats, but sometimes I would run 87 when gas got ridiculously high and put a bottle of octane boost in the tank and never had one problem with it.

But back to running premium in everything I have from dirtbikes to lawn equipment......i guess it's like the old debate of if taking multi vitamis truly help or not.......

[hourglass]

my 05' mastercraft said use 89 and my nautique says use 87 so i use what it says to use.

[mf01]

I run premium in my boat for the sole reason that my local station's premium is also 100% gasoline.

Do you know if most gas stations have 100% gas in premium? My stations have the sticker of could contain up to 10% ethanol, but don't say which grade. I run the minimum that my vehicles say in the manual. I run 89 in the Nautique (TBI Protec), 87 in the Ram, and 93 in the 350Z.

[rabbit]

I guess i need to check my stations around here...never really looked for ethynol, but will now. A tank of premium isnt but a couple of dollars more, I just don't want to hear pinging while we are full of people and boarding.

[swc5150]

100% gasoline can be hard to find. My local Citgo sells is, along with various Mobile stations. The drying properties of ethanol are very hard on an engine and it's components in a marine environment. Google premature engine failure from ethanol, and you'll see some interesting articles. The PCM manual also advises against ethanol.

[mf01]

I've read the stories about ethanol. Recently it's been nearly impossible to find a station without the up to 10% sticker.

[swc5150]

I've heard it's nearly impossible to find gasoline in some parts of the country. I've been told we can still find it in WI due to the need to run it in farm equipment. Ironic; you can't run ethanol in the machinery necessary to grow the corn to create it. Leave it to the gov to come up with the ethanol mandate!

[bubba]

I live in Minnesota and I think by law all gas except for "recreation pupose only" gas has to have at least 10% ethanol in it. The "Recreation Only" gas is not available in my area, Bummer. I have been running 87 octane (10% ethanol) unleaded (owners manual calls for leaded) in my 1984 SN2001 for about 6 years without a problem. Before that I added lead substitute to unleaded but someone told me not to worry about it.

[Rick]

California Gas

I don't think you can buy ethanol free gas in California. It has something to do with the clean air formula. Seeing that it takes 1 1/2 gallons of gas to make 1 gallon of ethanol I still don't get the economy, unless you are a corn farmer or an Ethanol manufacturer.

[tadelfio]

I'm sure ethanol free gas has been known to cause cancer in the state of California. lol