IS there any benefit using premium octane gas versus the lower "86" octane that is supposedly all that is needed? performance? mpg?

Thanks.

 

Simple answer, No. Does the manual say 86? High octane is wasted unless the engine is high performance and the manufacture recommends a higher grade
One thing to be careful is that Honda advises not to use Ethanol... especially any grade with over 10%... except in a temporary emergency

The lowest grade we have here in our area is 87, it is all I use.. with no issue

 

My personal opinion is that OLDER cars could use a higher octane. Many will want to argue this, but all I can say is would 1 tank of higher octane kill you or you're car? NO. Try it once and if you see no difference then go back to regular. I'm at 50,000 miles and do feel a slight difference when I go higher octane.

 

Sorry, using a higher octane will NOT improve anything but the level of deposits in your combustion chambers; any change in performance you feel is purely in your mind.

 

Sorry , I know for a fact higher octane does work. So does synthetic oil, so does air intake, so does cat back exhaust,so does suspension. ALL these things actually do work , in very small increments and all together. I know this because I have done it to over 7 Hondas. So you see you are correct for normal, boring everyday drivers. But MODs do work, if done right and not cheap. So to avoid further arguing, YOU ARE RIGHT for daily drivers, anyone else looking for a LITTLE extra try it yourself don't just listen to guys on a forum. Get out there and wrench. My opinion based on my experience. Good luck.

 

Sorry, no, you don't know for a fact; you cannot know for a fact unless you have numerous cars in a controlled lab being run in double-blind back-to-back tests.

 

Ok it seems like every gas station anywhere now contains up to 10% ethanol so the only solution is using the one and only high octane/no ethanol expensive gas that is hard to find now. What do you all recommend??? ALL advice is appreciated.

 

The octane number is not a measure of energy but a does produce much more profits for the gas station and oil company.

If you have a newer Honda with direct injection, you need to be concerned if your gas is Top Tier or equivalent.

 

Excuse me, Matt... allow me to ask, what area are you in that only has ethanol added gasoline?

If this is the case, may I suggest that you contact your Honda dealership to settle your concerns about using ethanol.

Of course, the original question was about octane... and, as you can read in the comments above, that issue seems to have been resolved