Okey, this is going to sound silly. But, when I bought my truck new (can still remember theROAR the first time I started it at the dealer...) I was told by the salesman that I had to use fuel with 90 or above and it is listed in the owners handbook as that.... So this entire time (6 years) I have paid for the expensive gas every fill up. I was cleaning out my glove box and happened to open my little handbook folder and was looking at all the junk when I saw this looselittle yellow slip at the back and it was an addendum/correction that stated it recommended 89 or above...
SO, my question is this. Do I have to keep using the expensive gas, usually 91 or 93 in my area, because my truck is used to the higher octane. OR, can I just start using the 89??
Any peeps inputeducated in this area would be helpful asI wastoldI had to keep using the expensive gas.
Also, Mean Green if you see this, I have an K&N air filter, but would like a better air INTAKE?? I don't even really know what this means, but if it means I can save a few buckson gas than I want it. Let me know what and where to buyone you recommend.
THANKS!![&:]

My main man just happens to be a 2001 Durango RT 4x4 5.9 V8.

 

I don't want to rehash this subject of the regular or premium fuel subject again but to make the whole thing short;

Each year model of the durango R/Tand/or depends on what region of the U.S/Canada it is sold at, it can be regular or premium. You will have to consult with your owners manual to see what is the minimum octane requirements for your R/T. But from all the R/T user's input the manual either says 87 or 91 octane? I do not recall 89 octane? That's mid-grade fuel. So you are stuck with using premium if your area does not offer mid-grade fuel.

I bought myself a hypertech III programmer that has dual fuel tuning and currently I have it set for 87 octane to save money at the pump. My R/T still runs much better with the 87 octane HyptechIII tuning vs 91 octane stock tuning.

 

Well RT if you have the stock air box with the K&N drop in filter go ahead and do my mod if you don't mind it being ghetto. Get some flexible hose and RTV (try to find something in the same dimensions as the airbox opening) and attach it. Cut a hole in the air dam and squeeze the tube through a little bit. You will have to squeeze the tubing past the ac lines to make it work. Here are a few pics.

 

Kensai- thanks for your help so far. I was at work last night and didnt have my manual with me.I did not remember the PRECISE number the manuals said, just that the ADDENDUMstated itdid not need the higher octane like the man who sold it to me and the ORIGINAL pages IN the manual stated. My question is simply "Is my truck used to and therefore needsthe 91 or above?" Or can I just start using the 87 or 89 just fine withNO problems.

 

Mean- Thanks for your comment, but I don't see the pictures.

 

Easiest way to know if your R/T requires premium is by looking at the fuel door. If there is a bright long yellow sticker that says premium required, that answers your question.

 

No offense Kensai, BUT AGAIN, my question is... IF MY TRUCK IS USED TO THE HIGHER OCTANE, IS IT BEST TO CONTINUE TO USE IT? I don't think you understand my question. It may be a stupid question, but I don't know the answer to it. I don't know if it's like when your mom waters down the milk in the morning so all the kids can have some with their cereal, it's just not the same...

THEYELLOW ADDENDUM CARD TUCKED INTOTHE MANUAL SAYS CLEARLY THAT THE LOWER IS FINE... But I have ALWAYS used the higher since it had 8 miles on it...

Okey, so if anyone else knows or has an opinion on this please let me know. I don't want to mess up or shock my truck with the lower octane if it will be a problem.

 

Using a higher octane should not harm your durango. But it may be a waste of money. But ifhave been using the higher octane rating for quite sometime, your PCM may have adjusted for it already and your D may run funny for a while if you revert back to regular gas. Most people run premium gas for their regular gas vehicles only if they have pinging problems or if their engine is not running to smooth?

The understanding between regular and premium fuel is the same as the speaker ohms that I explained to you on another thread. You can always use higher octane fuel on a vehicle that was designed for lower octane. You can step up, but you can never step down. This means, if you have a vehicle that requires premium fuel, you cannot use regular fuel, otherwise, it will cause a lot of problems. I have personally experience this and lost my turbo on my 1985 Shelby charger. Back then, it did not specify premium fuel as a requirement so I been using regular fuel. The car will sometimes run like crap and engine valve will always clatter when I hit the gas. Dealer then told me to stick with premium fuel. Once I made the switch to premium fuel, all my knocking, clattering, etc, all disappeared. This tells me my turbo car requires premium fuel, it just will not run on regular fuel.