Hi, I am looking to buy a 458 but here in Ireland I can only find 95 octance fuel, other eu countries like Italy have 98 premium fuel, is this sufficient for the 458 engine and will it damage it on the long run? tks for the advise Giorgio
The minimum octane rating recommended for the Euro 458 is 95 RON. You will be fine. Image Unavailable, Please Login
using a lower than recommended octane in a modern ECU controlled car with knock sensors will not damage the engine because the computer will retard the timing to prevent knock or premature detonation. Power and efficiency may/will suffer, but no damage should occur. This idea that lower octane can damage an engine is a throwback to pre-knock sensor engine control, in those days a very high compression engine using the cheap stuff would "ping" badly and could do severe damage to the pistons. Even today when rebuilding an old engine you have to be careful with the compression ratio because the panther piss we call gasoline today is doubtful.
Good stuff and Jumprun tks for the additional explanation I guess I am still stock with old school knowledge where you could work on an engine without a computer....Cheers Giorgio
