What fuel octane for 540 in USA?

///M-er-gized · 03-17-2019, 02:55 PM

I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that...

What should I use? What do you all use?

Thanks.

miner42 · 03-17-2019, 04:21 PM

I use Shell 91, no reason why except I want performance when I require it.

magbarn · 03-18-2019, 08:49 AM

Isn't 89 the bare minimum for emergency purposes? In the manual 91-100 is recommended instead.

silberma · 03-18-2019, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that...

What should I use? What do you all use?

Thanks.

Looks like you have not read the owner's manual. BMW recommends 91 Octane but states that the minimum is 89 which may produce knocking. If you spent so much money on this car why would you want to use the cheap gas?

bigdaveindubai · 03-18-2019, 09:17 AM

93. If you are putting less then 93 you need to sell your bmw and go buy a hyundai.

530iDriver · 03-18-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that...

What should I use? What do you all use?

Thanks.

I only use Shell 93 octane which the only grade of premium available here. This is a fine auto and I don't see the point of saving a few bucks by pouring lower octane (89) or cheap gas from other non-top tier places.

530iDriver · 03-18-2019, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silberma

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that...

What should I use? What do you all use?

Thanks.

Looks like you have not read the owner's manual. BMW recommends 91 Octane but states that the minimum is 89 which may produce knocking. If you spent so much money on this car why would you want to use the cheap gas?

It is fine to put 89 if you are in a road trip in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing else available. But don't make a habit of it. That is a false economy.

VirtualGuitars · 03-18-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that...

What should I use? What do you all use?

Thanks.

I only use Shell 93 octane which the only grade of premium available here. This is a fine auto and I don't see the point of saving a few bucks by pouring lower octane (89) or cheap gas from other non-top tier places.

Exactly. People seem to freak out paying for premium fuel. Going from 89 octane to 93 octane with an 18 gallon fuel tank is about $3.50 extra. Why not use the best gas for a properly tuned engine? I've never understood this.

SteveinArizona · 03-18-2019, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaveindubai

93. If you are putting less then 93 you need to sell your bmw and go buy a hyundai.

So all of us on the left coast should simply buy Hyundais? We can't get 93 octane west of the Rockies.

I do use 91 octane from only gasoline stations that are top tier (usually Costco, sometimes Shell). 89 octane will work but if the car detects the imminence of a knock, it will retard the spark.

Of course, it is a lot easier for me to use high test when I am only filling up every 800 miles or so.

///M-er-gized · 03-18-2019, 11:18 AM

I was questioning 89, that's why I put in 91. Definitely not concerned about saving money at the pump...I want to make certain I am putting the right octane in the tank. That's why I am asking.

I have to re-read the manual because all I remember is a reference to 89 being the requirement. Didn't see anything about 91 being recommended. Admittedly, I may have glanced over it, and didn't read the entire section.

Also, I'm coming from an M3, which required 93/94 octane, so I am not exactly freaking out over using higher octane. If you think that, then that's a twisted interpretation of what is being asked.

EDIT:

Just checked the manual again. I see where it says 91 is recommendation. 89 is minimum requirement. Not sure how I missed that, but I did.

saporitj · 03-18-2019, 11:43 AM

I go to Costco or Sams Club so 93 octane. It would appear that we get higher octane gas on the right side of the country as apposed to the leftist side. Don't know why. BMW also recommends Shell???

clee1982 · 03-18-2019, 11:47 AM

I use shell v power, premium in NY is probably 91, didn't really check...

AP · 03-18-2019, 11:47 AM

Isn't it just a case of looking in the manual? My manual here in the UK at that back states what grade of petrol it can take.

///M-er-gized · 03-18-2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saporitj

I got to Costco or Sams Club so 93. It would appear that we get higher octane gas on the right side of the country as apposed to the leftist side. Don't know why. BMW also recommends Shell???

Yes, BMW recommends Shell, which is fine, but on my way to/from work, there isn't one anywhere near me, so my car will have to do without it.

SteveinArizona · 03-18-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saporitj

I got to Costco or Sams Club so 93. It would appear that we get higher octane gas on the right side of the country as apposed to the leftist side. Don't know why. BMW also recommends Shell???

I have heard, and this may be an urban myth, that it is because there are so many German luxury cars in California that they can't produce enough 93 octane. But that is probably an urban myth.

saporitj · 03-18-2019, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

Quote:

Originally Posted by saporitj

I got to Costco or Sams Club so 93. It would appear that we get higher octane gas on the right side of the country as apposed to the leftist side. Don't know why. BMW also recommends Shell???

Yes, BMW recommends Shell, which is fine, but on my way to/from work, there isn't one anywhere near me, so my car will have to do without it.

No my comment wasn't about you but more like why Shell? It's good gas but so are others.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/walleth...ron-mobil/amp/

SteveinArizona · 03-18-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saporitj

No my comment was about you but more like why Shell? It's good gas but so are others.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/walleth...ron-mobil/amp/

On this, I agree with you. I think there is no meaningful difference in gasoline of the same octane SO LONG AS IT IS TOP TIER GASOLINE.

saporitj · 03-18-2019, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by saporitj

No my comment was about you but more like why Shell? It's good gas but so are others.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/walleth...ron-mobil/amp/

On this, I agree with you. I think there is no meaningful difference in gasoline of the same octane SO LONG AS IT IS TOP TIER GASOLINE.

Hurtful, I thought we agreed on lots of things. Maybe not politics but this is BMW only forum, thank goodness. 🤪🤪

bigdaveindubai · 03-18-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

So all of us on the left coast should simply buy Hyundais? We can't get 93 octane west of the Rockies.

I do use 91 octane from only gasoline stations that are top tier (usually Costco, sometimes Shell). 89 octane will work but if the car detects the imminence of a knock, it will retard the spark.

Of course, it is a lot easier for me to use high test when I am only filling up every 800 miles or so.

Stop voting in Liberals that take things away from you Stevie. Then you can use 93. I guess you can just go buy a case of octane booster and put in a bottle every time you fill up.

tjohnson · 03-18-2019, 03:59 PM

We can only get 91 octane in Idaho as well... so it's not just a California thing. 90% of the vehicles on my roads are jacked up diesel trucks. LOL

bigdaveindubai · 03-18-2019, 04:30 PM

I feel bad for you guys. Although we all get the shaft, in Dubai we have about 104 for regular at about 1.50 gal.

Bill530e · 03-18-2019, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I have heard, and this may be an urban myth, that it is because there are so many German luxury cars in California that they can't produce enough 93 octane. But that is probably an urban myth.

Hi,

This is a good article I found that explains the switch in California from 92 octane for premium to 91, which is what we have today. A combination of politics, science, and legal issues I suppose.

https://autoweek.com/article/car-new...ops-california

Regards,
Bill

03-17-2019, 02:55 PM	#1
///M-er-gized Captain 687 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2019 540i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I just put gas in my car for the first time. Manual says 89. I put in 91. Not sure why I decided to do that... What should I use? What do you all use? Thanks. __________________ 2019 540i \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota Leather with Blue Stitching \| M Sport Package \| Executive Tier \| Driver Assistance \| Parking Assistance \| HK \| M Sport Brakes \| Leather Dashboard 2016 M3 \| YMB \| Black Extended Merino \| CF Roof \| CF Trim \| DCT \| Adaptive \| Executive
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03-17-2019, 04:21 PM	#2
miner42 Private First Class 59 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2018 540i Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I use Shell 91, no reason why except I want performance when I require it. __________________ 2018 540i Imperial Blue/Cognac Last edited by miner42; 03-17-2019 at 07:49 PM..
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03-18-2019, 08:49 AM	#3
magbarn Lieutenant 168 Rep 416 Posts Drives: '17 540i Msport Join Date: May 2009 Location: Southern CA iTrader: (0)	Isn't 89 the bare minimum for emergency purposes? In the manual 91-100 is recommended instead. __________________ G30 540i Msport G05 X5 xDrive40i Msport Retired '03 330i, '10 335d
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03-18-2019, 09:17 AM	#5
bigdaveindubai First Lieutenant 208 Rep 328 Posts Drives: 2018 540i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Katy, Texas iTrader: (0)	93. If you are putting less then 93 you need to sell your bmw and go buy a hyundai. __________________ 2018 540i 2019 X5 xDrive40i 2012 Boss 302 #2147 2017 Shelby GT350 2017 F250 KR
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03-18-2019, 11:18 AM	#10
///M-er-gized Captain 687 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2019 540i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I was questioning 89, that's why I put in 91. Definitely not concerned about saving money at the pump...I want to make certain I am putting the right octane in the tank. That's why I am asking. I have to re-read the manual because all I remember is a reference to 89 being the requirement. Didn't see anything about 91 being recommended. Admittedly, I may have glanced over it, and didn't read the entire section. Also, I'm coming from an M3, which required 93/94 octane, so I am not exactly freaking out over using higher octane. If you think that, then that's a twisted interpretation of what is being asked. EDIT: Just checked the manual again. I see where it says 91 is recommendation. 89 is minimum requirement. Not sure how I missed that, but I did. __________________ 2019 540i \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota Leather with Blue Stitching \| M Sport Package \| Executive Tier \| Driver Assistance \| Parking Assistance \| HK \| M Sport Brakes \| Leather Dashboard 2016 M3 \| YMB \| Black Extended Merino \| CF Roof \| CF Trim \| DCT \| Adaptive \| Executive Last edited by ///M-er-gized; 03-18-2019 at 11:28 AM..
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03-18-2019, 11:43 AM	#11
saporitj Lieutenant 281 Rep 531 Posts Drives: 2019 540ix M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Virgina, USA iTrader: (0)	I go to Costco or Sams Club so 93 octane. It would appear that we get higher octane gas on the right side of the country as apposed to the leftist side. Don't know why. BMW also recommends Shell??? __________________ JS
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03-18-2019, 11:47 AM	#12
clee1982 Lieutenant Colonel 798 Rep 1,736 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540i xDrive [0.00]	I use shell v power, premium in NY is probably 91, didn't really check...
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03-18-2019, 11:47 AM	#13
AP Major General 2774 Rep 5,089 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Isn't it just a case of looking in the manual? My manual here in the UK at that back states what grade of petrol it can take.
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03-18-2019, 03:59 PM	#20
tjohnson Private First Class 130 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2024 iX50 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW iX50 [0.00]	We can only get 91 octane in Idaho as well... so it's not just a California thing. 90% of the vehicles on my roads are jacked up diesel trucks. LOL
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03-18-2019, 04:30 PM	#21
bigdaveindubai First Lieutenant 208 Rep 328 Posts Drives: 2018 540i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Katy, Texas iTrader: (0)	I feel bad for you guys. Although we all get the shaft, in Dubai we have about 104 for regular at about 1.50 gal.
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