Farrar's car blog

[Farrar]

All right, back to car stuff, but a different car: while pressing down the accelerator going uphill, I heard a little tapping in the PT's engine compartment. I've been trying to cheap out using 87 octane even though it's turbocharged. (The manual didn't say I couldn't!) So the last time I filled up I used mid-octane fuel and the tapping is gone. Which is better: filling up with higher-octane fuel, or buying an octane booster and dumping it in the tank when I fill up?

Farrar

[sean]

Which is better: filling up with higher-octane fuel, or buying an octane booster and dumping it in the tank when I fill up?

I've never deviated from the recommended octane requirement that the owner's manual has suggested for our turbo. For the first year I did only premium but found the same performance can be had using mid-grade, since mid-grade still fell within the octane range suggested, without any side effects.

What does your owner's manual suggest?

[Farrar]

What does your owner's manual suggest?

The owner's manual, stupidly, says nothing at all about fuel requirements.

There are two versions of turbocharged PT Cruiser engines: the one I have, which is also known as "Turbo Light," and the HO or "High Output" engine, which does require higher-octane fuel: on the HO cars, known as "GT Cruisers," there's a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler door which says "Premium Fuel Only." My PT has no such sticker, so I assumed that I was okay using 87 octane.

(BTW, turbo lite puts out 180 emissions-friendly horsepower; GT is rated 230hp. This is from a lighter, smaller engine than the PRV6! Makes me wonder if someone will eventually put a turbocharged I4 in a DeLorean some day... if I were making a mid-engined DMC, I would definitely go that route.)

Farrar

[sean]

The owner's manual, stupidly, says nothing at all about fuel requirements.

Actually it seems it does! According to this site:
http://www.chrysler.com/en/owners/manuals/

You were correct to use 87 octane! 91 octane is recommended for HO turbo engines.

[Farrar]

Actually it seems it does!

DOH! Well, I guess I should have looked through that (tedious and unnecessarily lengthy and badly-written) manual more carefully. Thanks!

Now I suppose I have to go and see what is causing that ticking under load... maybe it's time for me to take advantage of that Service Contract I am paying for.

Farrar

[Farrar]

Just when I was planning on being back in DeLoreanLand yesterday, I have been hit with a massive head cold (and with my narrow sinuses, that's never any fun). If I can Sudafed-and-Advil my way to feeling halfway human, I will crank the engine and video the results.

Farrar

[stevedmc]

Just when I was planning on being back in DeLoreanLand yesterday, I have been hit with a massive head cold (and with my narrow sinuses, that's never any fun). If I can Sudafed-and-Advil my way to feeling halfway human, I will crank the engine and video the results.

Farrar

Have you ever tried a sinus rinse? This product works miracles for me when I start having sinus/cold problems.

[Farrar]

Have you ever tried a sinus rinse? This product works miracles for me when I start having sinus/cold problems.

Everyone I know swears by these things and every time I have tried one (the NeilMed version pictured and the Neti Pot version) it has only made me feel worse. My sinuses are just built differently from most folks', I guess.

What does seem to work, for me anyway, is putting a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil in a pan of water, heating it on the stove, and inhaling the steam. I hope to be able to do that tonight when I get home from work and class.

Farrar

[stevedmc]

Everyone I know swears by these things and every time I have tried one (the NeilMed version pictured and the Neti Pot version) it has only made me feel worse. My sinuses are just built differently from most folks', I guess.

What does seem to work, for me anyway, is putting a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil in a pan of water, heating it on the stove, and inhaling the steam. I hope to be able to do that tonight when I get home from work and class.

Farrar

They usually make me feel worse for a few minutes and then things clear up. But yeah, things work differently for everybody. Get better soon man.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Everyone I know swears by these things and every time I have tried one (the NeilMed version pictured and the Neti Pot version) it has only made me feel worse. My sinuses are just built differently from most folks', I guess.
Farrar

It takes a little practice using it but once you get the swing of it you will use it anytime sinus problems show up. Most people try it once and don't get any results so give up.