[The Shape]

Okay was wondering what type of gas you all use in your element ? regular 87 oct, 89 oct, 91 oct or good old sunoco 93 oct ?

also i have read all over this forum about 1st oil change's. I am old school when it comes to this and i must change at least the filter after the first 500 miles, due to the fact that when an engine is built and first started all the metal shavings are going to be throughout the oil and i would have to think that after the 1st 500 miles the filter would not be working properly. Am i crazy ? This is the 1st brand new car for my wife and i so i am a little curious about this topic.

 

[Ramy]

87 octane

If you are "old school" when it comes to oil changes, then you better sit down before reading the owners manual on recommended oil changes...

 

[Kayakin' Dan]

If I were you I'd go see your dealer and get a manual from him. The gas should be 87 octane. That's what the engine is designed to drink. The oil shouldn't be changed until 10,000 miles under normal use, or 5,000 miles under extreme use. I drive around Atlanta, so I changed mine at 5,000. Don't change it at 500...There are no "metal shavings". You won't even feel like your Honda broke in until 25,000 miles or so...Read your manual.

 

[dougola]

You build enough engines and you'll learn that there aren't any metal shavings put in while being built. That there might be metal shavings in my engine would be enough to keep me from buying a Honda. Metal in an engine equals problems. My experience has been that an unlubricated engine will seize a bearing and those pieces of metal are just extras, a bonus if you will for the shade-tree mechanic to point to and say" that's you r problem, right there." I learned here to use 87 octane in my Eeyore

 

[mr_ed]

1) The Element requires low octane fuel (87 Octane). Anything higher is a waste of $$$.

2) Your first oil change at 500 miles may do more harm than good. The special oil must be left in for about 6,000 miles. When in doubt follow the owner's manual.

8) Ed

 

[The Shape]

thank you Mr. ed that is good enough for me.

thanks again

 

[Ramy]

also i have read all over this forum about 1st oil change's. I am old school when it comes to this and i must change at least the filter after the first 500 miles, due to the fact that when an engine is built and first started all the metal shavings are going to be throughout the oil and i would have to think that after the 1st 500 miles the filter would not be working properly.

If changing your oil filter at 500 miles gives you piece of mind, then go for it. I would, however, follow Honda's recommendation of leaving the break in oil for at least 5,000 miles. Hopefully you will not lose too much oil during the filter change.

 

[Element]

I guess i am in the minority here. I use 89 mid-grade from BP Amoco since my college days. I know it will cost me like $65 more per year, but i know my E is worth it.

 

[Staggie]

Element,

There is NO benefit to your vehicle from using the more expensive fuel according to Honda OwnerLink. That may be a habit you should break. The engine is designed to run with 87 octane fuel and it's combustion characteristics.

 

[The Shape]

i tend to agree, i will use plus also which is 89 oct, due to the fact that 87 is always a very dirty gas which will intern cause your fuel system to clog up and then make your E run bad.

thanks for all your thoughts on this topic.

:lol:

 

[Staggie]

Shape,

Please substantiate the "87 octane is dirty gas" assertion--a quote from a reputable research organization or major news outlet would be fine. I think it's nonsense. Since 1993 all auto feuls are mandated to contain detergent additives which keep fuel systems clean. In the 80's, these additives were a selling point for premium fuels but they are now standard. My 1980 Honda Accord was still running fine after 188K miles using regular when I sold it.

 

[SnwboarderX]

Read this about using prumium gas

"Cars that have bigger and powerful engines need high-octane levels in the gas. This is due to the fact that the engine is under high pressure and chances of knocking increase. However, if we use premium gasoline in a car which does not have a high performance engine, the fuel might not burn properly, since premium gasoline is harder to burn. This will lead to carbon deposits on the engine leading to engine clogging. This would further reduce the miles per liter and can prove very harmful in the long run. It may also increase emission levels and can cause deposits on the catalytic converter. This would be a big price to pay for a fuel that costs more and believed to be a better one."

I found this using google
http://www.cheap-auto-car-insurance-quotes.com/Mechanical/grade_gasoline.htm