Vern, I beg to disagree. The VNote owner manual recommends NOT LESS THAN 87 AKI (or in the USA R+M/2) which is what is shown on the gas pumps. 87 AKI is roughly equivalent to 91 RON (Research Octane Number - the R on the formula R+M/2). MON (Motor Octane Number, the M on the formula) is another way of measuring fuel octane but is typically around 10 lower (give or take) than RON.
Bottom line: 87 ((R+M)/2 as shown on the gas pumps) or better is recommended for the VNote/VSedan. You can fill it with a higher octane fuel but you're just wasting your money.
You are correct, just checked my manual, but here is my findings after doing some testing;
I agree that I may be wasting money, but I am not wasting fuel. Notice the manual says "or better" meaning you can run higher octane, the question is if you run higher octane, will the engine adjust? From my findings, yes the engine will adjust. You will get slightly better performance from my findings.
I have ran different grades of fuel, and I
consistently get 2 mpg better with a combo of 89/93. I usually buy gas at Shell or Phillip's 66.(top tier)
The higher octane will allow the timing to advance to the max(whatever the timing map is programed into the ECU), and the higher concentration of cleaners, will help keep my dual injection clean, since it has a smaller nozzle than a traditional injector.
I am very happy with this car.