RX3 Fuel Octane Requirements

[RedHawk47]

Regarding fuel tank capacity, see my post:
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....4&postcount=37

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Regarding fuel tank capacity, see my post:
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....4&postcount=37

Whoa! Looks like I must have been running on fumes the day I put in 3.6 gallons.

Maybe I need to start looking for fuel a bit sooner.

I was thinking, like you originally had,...a range of 240 miles...4 gallons at 60 mpg.

Need to correct my thinking.

Good info to know. Thanks for the link.

jb

[DanKearney]

Generally speaking, as long as you don't suffer from pre-detonation (pinging) you can use the lowest level octane rating (RON) you can get away with.

You could suffer some drop in performance as the vehicle's brain tries to compensate (If it even needs to) by adjusting timing or spark.

At higher altitude you can use lower octane fuel in any given vehicle because the ability for fuel to pre-detonate goes down with the drop in compression pressure.

Cheers,

Dan K.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by jbfla

I've been alternating between 87 and 89, and I can't tell any difference in performance.

As far as the gas gauge, mine starts flashing at about 150 miles on the trip odometer.

I have gone as far as 210 odometer miles before refilling...didn't want to push my luck on running to empty.

The greatest amount of fuel I put in was 3.6 gallons.

The average gas miles per gallon has been in the low 60's, except for the afternoon I tested the upper limits of the speedometer. Running at 8,000 rpm in 6th gear for extended times yielded 56 mpg.

Usually I start looking for gas as I near +/- 200 miles.

jb

I do the same, JB.

It is best to fill the fuel tank after using three gallons, so 1/2-gallon of gas remains in the tank to cool the fuel pump. I average about 68 mpg, so I fill the fuel tank after riding about 200 miles. This leaves a reserve of about .7 gallons, which allows me to ride another 50 miles before the tank runs completely dry.

I have run out of gas while riding, and the trip odometer had recorded about 245 miles. You won't destroy the fuel pump if you run the tank dry. However, you will prolong the life of the fuel pump if you try always to keep the fuel pump submerged in at least 1/2-gallon of gas.