low octane hard on knock sensor

I don't think low octane fuel would damage a knock sensor. I guy I work with used to work on high end european cars. He said they never saw knock sensor fail. It was usually just corrosion causing a bad connection to ground. The sensor only has one wire and relies a a good ground for the second connection. A new sensor has a bright clean surface but the engine surface where the sensor is bolted to may still be oxidized, so a new sensor works for a while and then goes bad. How long between sensor failures on your friend's car?

I just replaced my sensor, wish I had just tried sanding the bottom of the old sensor, I would have saved $90. If the new sensor fails soon I will try just cleaning the sensor and mounting point.

-Nick L

you get what, 87RON fuel? Unless the subies over there are significantly detuned, you'd need the best you have.

We get 98RON in Aus, even 95 gets the Forester pinging - used once out of necessity. Our lowest is 91RON, wouldn't dream of putting that in, let alone lower.

-mark

Standard in California is 89-91-93 octane. I don't know whether or not the numbers are directly compatible wiht RON.

I've ran 91 since day one and haven't had any problems with knock or performance. I do use a brand known for quality and high detergent levels though.

And which brand is that?? may I ask??

Fair enough. I'd still only be putting in enough mid-grade to get to the next servo that sells high-grade.

-mark

on

Why? My 91 Liberty wagon (332000km) and 99 OB Ltd (135000km) are both labelled 90RON or better. Both run fine on 92 and no, neither of us drive like grannies! Incidentally the OB gets marginally WORSE mileage on 98RON than anything else - which is something I've never encountered before! Cheers