What octane to run?

[CulRidr]

^(jacked)
A proper (google) would have given you the answer, but the differences are very few: an ECU that changes the timing of the sparks for a couple more hp (assuming you are running premium fuel), and the VTCS was removed from the intake manifold (a search will get you more info on that as well). Otherwise, the "engine" is the same.

I am sorry to bump a kinda old thread but,... I am kinda new to the whole MP3 thing. I was wondering,.. what exactly are all of the differences, in and out, between the MP3 and a normal protege 2.0 engine? Please use technical terms so I can learn more about it. Thank you in advanced.

 

[CulRidr]

Getting back on topic, I haven't done an exact math on this seeing as I haven't had the time, but I had previously done a trip where I got 7.4L/100km (32MPG) going a steady 65MPH on a major highway, where 95+% of it was highway.

I added cruise control to the car (yes it can be done on an MP3) recently. I then completed a much higher mileage trip where I was going faster (~75MPH) for a good 75% of it, but some city driving, and the rest being single lane highways going ~60MPH but doing LOTS of high-rev passing. I got the same mileage as before (32MPG) even though I was going faster, driving less steadily and had a good 150lbs more cargo then I did on the previously mentioned trip. Some of it is due to the CC I'm sure, but I should mention (considering the topic of the thread) that I used premium fuel (91 octane) in the car for this trip (as opposed to the 87octane I used for the 1st trip I mentioned). My guess is that the fuel made the biggest difference in keeping my mileage the same. That's my experience...