pats37 Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 With the price of gas going through the roof with no end in sight it is costing me about $70.00 to gas up my STS. I have read on other Auto sites that cars produced in the '90's have an anti-knock and anti-ping chip that automatically adjusts the engine when a lower grade gas is used. I guess my questions are 1) Is this valid information, and 2) does it have any ill affects on the car or it's gas mileage. I ask this only because 2000 and up STS's can use regular gas (87 octane) according to the manual and the engine is the same HP. There is little difference between STS's produced in 1998 through 2004. Would appreciate any experienced input on this and hopefully an explanation from bbobinsky if he has the time. Hope all of you are well, I've been away for a while. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 If you read the manual closely, it will tell you, it is ok to use as low as 87 octane. The main difference being in the milage, and take acceleration. The N* will run on any of the octanes available over 87. Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 It is partially true. Not ALL cars. For instance, the 4.9 does not have a knock sensor but the Northstar does. The knock detector will detect spark knock and retard the timing accoringly. Any performance loss will not be noticable by the seat of the pants dyno. You can use regular with no ill effects on the engine or milage. I have been running it for over three years now and have noticed no difference in performance or milage. This has been discussed many times before so there should be a lot of info in the archives. Fill it up with regular and try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 GUYS......My 96 DeVille was a premium only also. If anything but 91-93 octane was uses it would buck, stall, ping and run like crap ! I could tell when the wife would cheap out and use 87............... I even did the switch to 2 range colder AC plugs to combat the pinging and hopefully the knock sensor wouldn't retard the timing. It worked to some extent but still ran crummy. ME........I would spend the extra $10 bucks and use only Sunoco 94 and flog the hell out of it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta scare those folks in their superior mb/lexus etc. with the N-Stars KILLER power....................... Funny tho.........My 03 runs on 87 without a wimper.............geo 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 I have been running 89 for the last two years with no problem and the other day used 87 with no problem at all with a 96 Deville, have you checked for codes? Its possible your knock sensor is not operating properly. I also would not fool around with the plugs and put stock plugs back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 I agree with Scotty. If it is "bucking, stalling, pinging and running like crap", something is wrong. I should accept 87 with out you even noticing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadian95sts Posted September 5, 2005 Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 I always run 87 octane in my 96 STS with absolutly no problems. Maybe once a month or so i will run a tank of 94 through it and dont really see much of a change in higher milage. I usually have a light foot in my driving , unless challanged by a ricer, As for knockin or pinging, ive never heard either one come from my car. Matt A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...BUT, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "darn...that was fun!" www.madd.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OynxSTS Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 With regards to "2" many have found an INCREASE in MPG when they switched to regular...ABSOLUTELY no reason to run high test in any N* car...IMHO... Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac, I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 These N* are amazing in that they run on just about anything out there. My experience is that my 94 runs just fine on 87 or 89. Like I said, it runs just fine..... but not great. If I baby the car around town then I really can't tell the difference from that of 93 octane. However if I do some spirited driving or just plain stomp and romp then you bet i can tell the difference. For me it's a rather big difference. But that's all relative to what each driver is able detect and is attuned to as well as driving style. Aside from the performance issue I get better gas mileage with 93 over 87 or 89. And that too is noticeable. So for me there really isn't a gain by running a lower octane gasoline. I end up paying about the same one way or another. But with the 93 at least I'll have full power from my N* when I want it. But hey I'm only talking about my car and the variables that dictate the results I get. We all have our own driving style and every car is just a tad bit different so the results will most likely vary from driver to driver. -kg "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STSJohn Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 I Will not use anything but 93 in my STS, its only 2.50-3.00 more per fill 2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L VVT Light platinum 39K miles ~Vogue VTXi Package - Corsa Exhaust - K & N Cold air intake - Blacked out tints 2004 Cadillac Escalade 6.0L all-whell drive Pewter 42k miles ~22" Tis 07 Rims - E&G Chrome Vertyical billet Grill - Limo tints - Tv's in the Visor and headrests 1990 Mustang GT Painted Cadillac Diamond White - 604 Rwhp Family Cars: 2004 Cadillac XLR (Mom) 2005 Cadillac STS V8(Dad) 2000 Eldorado ETC (Brother) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 These N* are amazing in that they run on just about anything out there. My experience is that my 94 runs just fine on 87 or 89. Like I said, it runs just fine..... but not great. Yeah, I gotta admit, some days I think this thing just might run on peanut oil. "Amazing," as kger2 said. Some time back I compared milage with premium as opposed to regular and found that the cost/mile was about the same after the loss of mpg was taken into account. Maybe an extra $1/tank. These days a new computation is needed. I'm working on it now. Let's keep in mind, however, that some may be reporting 89 octane as "regular", when "regular" is REALLY 87 octane. 89 is that thing "in between." Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 SCOTTY...................No codes on my 96............... Just the Service Ride Contol msg. at 100k miles...........So I did the cobble in the resistor thing to shut off the code and dumped it for the 03 ! CRAZY to spend the $2500 bucks the dealer wanted to replace the front struts.................................. Switching to the colder range plugs DOES work to stop "pinging"! NO ill effects on my old 72 Fleetwood or GTO along with a timing setback on these old cars........................ I figured at the time it wouldn't hurt the 96 either.................... ..........geo 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 I Will not use anything but 93 in my STS, its only 2.50-3.00 more per fill Money is a concern to some people. $3 difference at each fill can be as much as a couple of hundred bucks each year. I bet you use synthetic oil too, right? Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Funny tho.........My 03 runs on 87 without a wimper.............geo That's because the 2000+ engines are optimized to run on regular gas. Prior to 2000, the engines were optimized for premium, but usually run regular just fine, and usually with no ill effects. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 SCOTTY...................No codes on my 96............... Just the Service Ride Contol msg. at 100k miles...........So I did the cobble in the resistor thing to shut off the code and dumped it for the 03 ! CRAZY to spend the $2500 bucks the dealer wanted to replace the front struts.................................. Switching to the colder range plugs DOES work to stop "pinging"! NO ill effects on my old 72 Fleetwood or GTO along with a timing setback on these old cars........................ I figured at the time it wouldn't hurt the 96 either.................... ..........geo I am about to change to passive struts, if you have any information around regarding the resistor procedure to fool the computer I would appreciate it.. In the meantime I will do some research later to find out why you are getting a ping, and read up on the knock sensor diagnostic, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 SCOTTY...................No codes on my 96............... Just the Service Ride Contol msg. at 100k miles...........So I did the cobble in the resistor thing to shut off the code and dumped it for the 03 ! George, I also am curious as to the specifications on your resistor - wattage and resistance. I have a bad actuator inside the strut on my '96 and am receiving the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL on the DIC. It was intermittent at first but now, it displays at every ignition cycle. The car rides fine and I do not want to spend the money on new rear struts until the struts are totally shot. I remember Maydog's post stated that his procedure was for a STS only - with the CVRSS system. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 GUYS.........I got the info. WAAAY back off the old GM Forums. I think maydog used the 100? ohm resistor wired into the strut plug wires........................But wasn't his not a 96? Cadillac Dan was the guy who turned me on to that if I recall correctly? What about Bruce Nunnallys guide to disable the message? It was hosted at http://web2.airmail.net.nunnally/sts/disable.htm His method works for 89/92 Allante-91/93 Eldo-Seville-91/95 Deville. The 96 method is different and I know the disable method with the resistor is around here somewhere or poss. at Caddy Forums. ............geo 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 GUYS........Check out Maydogs strut post over at the how to info links. The resistor disable ride control message trick info. is there for 96 cars.............. 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 GUYS.........I got the info. WAAAY back off the old GM Forums. I think maydog used the 100? ohm resistor wired into the strut plug wires........................But wasn't his not a 96? Cadillac Dan was the guy who turned me on to that if I recall correctly? What about Bruce Nunnallys guide to disable the message? It was hosted at http://web2.airmail.net.nunnally/sts/disable.htm His method works for 89/92 Allante-91/93 Eldo-Seville-91/95 Deville. The 96 method is different and I know the disable method with the resistor is around here somewhere or poss. at Caddy Forums. ............geo Maydog's site stated that it was for the STS (CVRSS) only, not the RSS system used in the SLS. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 KEVIN..........I have racked my brain and my bud who helped me cob that resistor into my 96 to shut off the service ride control msg. Can't remember from 02 !!!!!!!!! We did it with the hit or miss method ! I can't find ANY link on how to wire it up on the 96 and up RSS system either............. Just 95 and back.................. Check out http://www.bostonsuspension.com They have the electronics "kit" to disable the service message that comes along with their passive strut replacement package. Not sure if they sell it seperately. You could give them a shout and ask.....................geo 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 I also am curious as to the specifications on your resistor - wattage and resistance. I have a bad actuator inside the strut on my '96 and am receiving the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL on the DIC. It was intermittent at first but now, it displays at every ignition cycle. The car rides fine and I do not want to spend the money on new rear struts until the struts are totally shot. Earlier this summer I replaced my front struts with the Boston Suspension units. I chose Boston over Arnott because Boston supplied the "widgets" (smaller than a golf ball) that suppressed the DIC message. Darn, was THAT a relief! I'm VERY pleased with them (they were Monroes). I spent the extra $50 for the "Luxury Ride" struts, but you can get a bolt-in pair of "Standard" rear air shocks for $275 that Boston claims will suppress the DIC message. Sure beats riding around until they are "totally shot." I didn't care for the "resistor solution," as it called for, if I remember correctly, a pair of 50 watt units that struck me as a waste of electricity/heat and also as a somewhat inelegant solution. Additionally, it was not suitable for my year vehicle. Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjaab Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 WARREN...........There is a disable method for 95 and older Caddies here in the how to section.................. i think the resistors I used were 100 ohm..................... Hopefully Boston sells just the kit to disable.................... I am currently on the hunt for a used Caddy to replace my old Escort. Found 2 nice "old timer" units 96 Eldo 66k miles $5500 or a 03 DeVille 82k $3000............Gotta toss a coin ! 93 DeVille-13 Chevy Impala 72 GTO - 77 Triumph Bonneville 84 Z-28 Syracuse NY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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