There’s always boostane. Idk if I’d use it on the regular but should be ok for 1 tank and I still wouldn’t drive it all wild. Probably drive to 1/2 tank, refill with 93.
Help - Accidentally filled TH with 87 octane
Hi all,
Long time reader of this forum, all advice appreciated.
Just got my new (2021, 17k mi) TH. Filled with 87 octane on accident (the grade I use on my current vehicle last 8 years). It was just an honest mistake, as I’d known pre-purchase TH’s require premium. I’m fairly devastated, and disappointed. I assume the ECU can pull timing to help minimize pre-ignition, but even if so, my understanding is pre-ignition will still occur to some extent for the duration of this tank of gas just perhaps not enough to trigger knock code, assuming the vehicle is drivin gently. I also imagine pulling time that far has other shortcomings.
Some other info — the car was deliver to me (outta state) empty tank, so it is indeed a full tank of 87. Given I’d just got the vehicle, after a few days of casual driving, I did 2 short pulls cruising around (one city, one highway.. in retrospect, maybe heard knock once?) I don’t have much baseline to go off as the sound produced with WOT is terrifying from what I recall test driving others before this purchase and was similarly terrifying on those pulls.
Otherwise cruised around quite gently, city driving 20-30 mph, under 3k rpm all the time. Didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but again have no baseline to go off. All in all, I’ve drivin less than 15 miles before I realized my fuel mistake. Haven’t drivin since.
My knee jerk is to drain the fuel at all costs, though I don’t perceive this is an easy feat or one a Jeep dealer would welcome with open arms. Only other insight I could find was a challenger hellcat forum member in same position.. consensus was not to try draining the tank, just to gently drive it down to 1/4, refill with premium (we have 93 where I live), avoid WOT and high RPMs, basically just drive gently. I don’t need to take it on the highway for work as I live 2 miles away and speed limits/traffic inner city is 20-35 mph anyway. Was planning to keep my boost gauge on the dash in effort to minimize. Was also gonna check the diagnostic code display in the dash for knock codes at end of each trip. My understanding is knock codes are specific, but not sensitive (I.e. just bc there’s no knock codes doesn’t mean pre-ignition isn’t occurring, just not occurring loud enough to trigger knock codes assuming the knock sensors are fully functioning).
Any reassurance, advice is appreciated.
My knee-jerk is to drain the fuel at all costs, but trying not to overreact.
Long time reader of this forum, all advice appreciated.
Just got my new (2021, 17k mi) TH. Filled with 87 octane on accident (the grade I use on my current vehicle last 8 years). It was just an honest mistake, as I’d known pre-purchase TH’s require premium. I’m fairly devastated, and disappointed. I assume the ECU can pull timing to help minimize pre-ignition, but even if so, my understanding is pre-ignition will still occur to some extent for the duration of this tank of gas just perhaps not enough to trigger knock code, assuming the vehicle is drivin gently. I also imagine pulling time that far has other shortcomings.
Some other info — the car was deliver to me (outta state) empty tank, so it is indeed a full tank of 87. Given I’d just got the vehicle, after a few days of casual driving, I did 2 short pulls cruising around (one city, one highway.. in retrospect, maybe heard knock once?) I don’t have much baseline to go off as the sound produced with WOT is terrifying from what I recall test driving others before this purchase and was similarly terrifying on those pulls.
Otherwise cruised around quite gently, city driving 20-30 mph, under 3k rpm all the time. Didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but again have no baseline to go off. All in all, I’ve drivin less than 15 miles before I realized my fuel mistake. Haven’t drivin since.
My knee jerk is to drain the fuel at all costs, though I don’t perceive this is an easy feat or one a Jeep dealer would welcome with open arms. Only other insight I could find was a challenger hellcat forum member in same position.. consensus was not to try draining the tank, just to gently drive it down to 1/4, refill with premium (we have 93 where I live), avoid WOT and high RPMs, basically just drive gently. I don’t need to take it on the highway for work as I live 2 miles away and speed limits/traffic inner city is 20-35 mph anyway. Was planning to keep my boost gauge on the dash in effort to minimize. Was also gonna check the diagnostic code display in the dash for knock codes at end of each trip. My understanding is knock codes are specific, but not sensitive (I.e. just bc there’s no knock codes doesn’t mean pre-ignition isn’t occurring, just not occurring loud enough to trigger knock codes assuming the knock sensors are fully functioning).
Any reassurance, advice is appreciated.
My knee-jerk is to drain the fuel at all costs, but trying not to overreact.
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Thanks Lil Hemi, appreciate the insight.
A booster for rising octane sounds good. Wish you some luck - if you come out with fuel saving tips, let us know
Half a tank will never feel so much again 😜
Keep in mind, only speed doesn't kill your engine - low rpm and too much load are especially critical for knocking
Half a tank will never feel so much again 😜
Keep in mind, only speed doesn't kill your engine - low rpm and too much load are especially critical for knocking
Thanks Ringeagle, I will also keep in mind re: RPM/load 🙏 ha, made me smile — was thinking the same this tank is going to feel like higher MPG than my old diesel jetta TDI…. Boostane is in the mail. Will take it easy, avoid hills, loading and take a deep breath.
Go on a long drive. Put it in “eco mode” or even “valet mode”. Eco will bring the hp down including shift points. Valet will really limit the hp output, limit rpms and limit torque. Drive it until 1/4-1/2 empty than put premium in it. Don’t beat on it and you should be fine.
Driving through europe on country roads, basically used 2 tanks of 87 one after the other. Just kept it in eco mode. Not fun, but got the job done. Fuel economy went up due to light foot.
Driving through europe on country roads, basically used 2 tanks of 87 one after the other. Just kept it in eco mode. Not fun, but got the job done. Fuel economy went up due to light foot.
Thanks Vanquishglory. I ordered the boostane, but to be honest feel a little cold feet actually adding it, just so polarizing.. my concern is the color residue from a bottle (by my deep dive, seems like it occurs as soon as first bottle), a potential detection later at a dealership if needed service/warranty work.
So the way I interpret your advice is driving the tank down while in valet mode reduces the conditions for 87 octane to pre-ignite/detonate and theoretically, that is of more benefit than any disadvantage the better gas mileage will produce (disadvantage due to valet mode necessarily increasing the total miles/time driven with 87 octane via better MPG). Can confirm after 30 min in valet, AVG mpg has indeed doubled.
Any potential issues driving around in valet for a few hours? Thanks all, appreciate all input.
So the way I interpret your advice is driving the tank down while in valet mode reduces the conditions for 87 octane to pre-ignite/detonate and theoretically, that is of more benefit than any disadvantage the better gas mileage will produce (disadvantage due to valet mode necessarily increasing the total miles/time driven with 87 octane via better MPG). Can confirm after 30 min in valet, AVG mpg has indeed doubled.
Any potential issues driving around in valet for a few hours? Thanks all, appreciate all input.
I (and everyone else here) understand your concerns about adding 87 to the car but don’t worry about it. Just drive it easy until the gas tank is low and then fill it up with 93. The computer will reduce timing to avoid detonation/damage to the engine if you accidentally use low octane fuel or get bad gas. I guarantee you are not the first person and you will not be the last person who accidentally puts 87 into their trackhawk or other hellcat powered car.
A ton of other car manufacturers “require” premium to be used in their vehicles and do you think everyone follows that requirement? Nope.
A ton of other car manufacturers “require” premium to be used in their vehicles and do you think everyone follows that requirement? Nope.
Nothing will happen to your TH driven in valet mode. The main reason for valet mode is to limit your throttle input and letting the ecu know your not going to thrash it around town. You’ll be just fine.
Appreciate you all. Down to 3/4 tank. So far no DTCs, no obvious engine noises, all the temps and gauges remaining WNL.
I mean, it’s not like you filled it with ethanol. Unless you’re at high altitude, you probably shouldn’t have a problem if you’re gentle.Appreciate you all. Down to 3/4 tank. So far no DTCs, no obvious engine noises, all the temps and gauges remaining WNL.
Good advice from Vanquish and Bubblesz, you won’t have any issues what so ever either in Eco or Valet. My wife filled her TrackHawk twice, on different occasions, with 87 octane by mistake and drove in Eco and Valet for a week up until fuel was 1/8 tank then proceeded to fill with 93. No problems either with octane booster, after a couple of tank fulls that Orangy color goes away, dealers will not have a problem with that either, as said above your not the first nor the last to fill with 87, or get a bad batch of fuel, these engines are very resilient and very good on self preservation. Drive it easy till you are less than 1/4 tank then filler up with 93 and call it a day.
Everyone, your advice and experiences are so appreciated. The re-assurances and perspective provided make it easier to take a step back, take a deep breath and not beat myself up too much. As someone with great respect for what this discontinued and iconic vehicle represents, yeah definitely not the way I envisioned week 1! Thanks again all for chiming in 🙏🏼
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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