Vehicles that require premium gas

[LD1]

Premium here is 10 cents of mid which is 10 cents more than regular...

Even at 20 cents more on an average $2/gallon.....thats 10%. If you dont see 10% economy increase.....your still loosing money. And an engine designed with 87 in mind.....is NOT gonna see a 10% increase in ANYTHING. Only a 10% reduction in your wallet.

 

[Copperhead]

Exactly. Any analysis of what a fuel delivers should be based on a objective criteria like cost per mile. If a fuel is not going to deliver a lower cost per mile, even if it does deliver a better mpg, then why use it? I know higher mpg does have a psychological positive effect, but that is hardly worth it if the cost per mile is now higher. Numbers and keeping my costs low a possible is all that matters to me.

 

[Garandman]

When I bought my 325iT in Munich back in 2002 I asked BMW why the HP is slightly higher in Germany as opposed to the North American export model...

BMW said the premium fuel in Germany is higher octane so they can get more out of the motor...

One would have thought they would have told you that SAE HP is 98.6% of DIN PS. DIN is a German standards organization and PS stands for "Pferdestärke."

 

[ultrarunner]

No... the factory team at the delivery center emphasized using only premium fuel to obtain full performance...

I asked what happens if I can't buy premium and was told the engine management will compensate which will be very noticeable.

Then asked about driving Stateside and there was a specific comment about California formulated fuels...

I have several vehicles designed for high octane... the 62 Corvette, 1976 BMW, 2002 BMW and 2005 Rover...

Also notice better mpg with the 2011 Corolla using mid grade over regular 87 octane...

My Model A and T run fine with any fuel...

 

[JDL538]

I drive a newer Vette and use regular never had a problem...If it pings you need to go higher otherwise not..

 

[ClaySlayer]

I run premium in my 3.5. EB. It costs about 10% more and I get about 10% better mileage (the way I drive anyway) so cost is a wash plus it has a little more pep especially when towing. My wife's Envoy gets regular as it has an aftermarket tune that's designed to squeeze the most from regular so anything higher is a waste. Small engines and my 150 Optimax get 87 Ethonal Free.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

Our 2009 Chrysler Town & Country has a 4.0 liter V6, with mid grade recommended. I buy only regular, but on occasion the Petro Canada station up the road is out of regular and offers Ultra 94 at the price of regular.
When I fill up with Ultra 94, I get noticeably poorer fuel economy than with regular 87.
As I said, I have not used mid-grade, but in this vehicle, Ultra 94 is not worth buying, even at the price of regular.

Pete

 

[Diamondpilot]

Crappy Tire 91 octane is no ethanol. 87 and 89 may contain up to 10% ethanol

In Indiana and many parts of the country even 91 contains upto 10% corn.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Experiences in what? My gassers consist of a 2001 saturn SL, a 2005 ram 1500 hemi, and a 2008 nissan sentra. I notice NO increase whatsoever using premium.
Just for kicks, I bought some 93 no-ethanol fuel to run in my saturn. Which is about a buck more than 93 that has ethanol. so ~$3.69/gal last I drove by. Went from ~35 MPG to 37MPG. Using the numbers above......At 1.99 for 87 and 2.86 for premium.....I'd have to get 50 MPG for what say about no savings to hold true. And that just aint gonna happen. Heck, even if I could get 10% or 20% better fuel mileage with premium.....it aint worth spending 45% more for it.


Any reason to do that other than extra money burning a hole in your pocket?

Because none require premium like the OP. We had a Lincoln and a BMW that requires premium. If I ran less the MPG suffered to the point it was more expensive to drive on 87 than it was on 91 or 93.

Again, the OP vehicle required premium as did mine.

 

[LD1]

My experience is you MPG will suffer with regular and yield no savings

When you make a vague statement such as this, it can confuse people, and continue propagating the nuts about octane. Perhaps next time don't be so vague, and include the facts that your vehicle's required premium fuel.

Running fuel that is several octane points less than required.. yea I can see that as being more expensive to drive.

If your vehicle's only required 87, and you still claim cheaper to use 40% more expensive Premium fuel, I'd call BS all day long