Posted by JPH13/MO on 6/15/13 12:41pm
Msg #473465

If You Use Premium Gas, This Article Might Change Your Mind

and save you money, since we all know signing fees aren't going up! My sister sent this to me after I told her my new car manual suggested that I use Premium Unleaded. Hope it helps someone.

http://outsell.tm00.com/u/Schaumburg-Audi/diOouctayEchK0laSUb4/667938/Three-Myths-about-Premium-Gas-Full-Story.htm

Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/15/13 1:15pm
Msg #473466

Thank you for this. Seriously. Thanks. I'm one of those

whose manual states a 'must' for premium. Will definitely check it out.

Reply by JPH13/MO on 6/15/13 1:21pm
Msg #473467

You are welcome. I now use regular and works just fine! n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/16/13 5:36pm
Msg #473580

Phew. Spent hours reading threads by smart car peeps on

this subject, going back to 2008 when our smarties began arriving in the US. Lots of engineers, mechanics of all stripes, and even smart car execs discussing the physics, electronics, and chemistry vis a vie our 3 cylinder Mitzi engines. My engine was built in Germany, but I believe all of the European and Japanese fuel specs are different than our specs.

Bottom line I came away with? Same as in '08 - stick with the good stuff. While pinging wasn't a real issue due to electronic adjustments, the load (passenger, towing a little trailer, etc) seems to be the kicker. Hills too. The biggest complaint with lower octane was the 'hesitation' when merging into traffic. I experienced the hesitation thing, and it was awfully scary, and I believe it was a result of 'bad gas,' but I sure could be wrong - although it hasn't happened again.

The performance engine folks were less forgiving of *any* reduction in horsepower, whereas the smarties tended not to notice much difference. I can remember JT (my late husband) talking about the importance of a clean exhaust pipe, and if memory serves, the color of the residue. Grey, OK; Black, GAK! If the fuel is not burning at the right time/temp, hot spots can pre-ignite (I forget the name for it, not pinging, but that awful firing even after the key's out.)

Anyway, with an 8.7 gallon tank, the cost of "tier one" fuel (Shell, Chevron, for examples) is worth the extra expense because the high-tech additives and more consistent (truer?) octane are the best for our newer high-tech, hard-working engines.

Just my opinion, and worth every penny you paid for it.

Reply by ToniK on 6/15/13 1:30pm
Msg #473468

I never use premium.

Reply by John Tennant on 6/15/13 2:01pm
Msg #473470

As a prior automotive service director/fixed ops mgr, the only vehicles (for street use) I was involved with that required special gas were Rolls Royce and Bentley. All other "non-performance" vehicles will run well on regular.

Reply by Christine/OK on 6/15/13 2:55pm
Msg #473474

Thanks! Great cost-saving measure.

Reply by ikando on 6/15/13 3:59pm
Msg #473480

This information comes timely for me. My vehicle states premium on the fuel door, but I spoke to a mechanic who told me regular would work fine. To be safe, I only dropped down to mid-grade, and low and behold, I've been getting BETTER gas mileage. I think I may alternate between mid and regular to see what happens, especially since fuel prices are fluctuating so much lately.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 6/15/13 6:06pm
Msg #473494

Your engine will tell you - if you drop down to regular and your engine develops a ping, you probably need to increase the octane. Other than some luxury vehicles, most cars today don't need the higher octane (and higher cost) of premium gas...

Reply by VT_Syrup on 6/15/13 6:36pm
Msg #473498

I don't know if they really need premium, but the new Mini Coopers and Fiats recommend premium. Those are fairly economical vehicles.

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/15/13 11:12pm
Msg #473529

My 2007 VW GTI required premium....it had a Turbo engine, 4 cylinder, 200 horses. Once I accidentally put in 87 octane. It drove from point A to point B but did not perform as well as when it had 91 octane. I have a Mini Cooper - Sport and it requires premium....and it recommends ARCO

Reply by pleasantonCA on 6/15/13 11:34pm
Msg #473530

Check with your mechanic before deciding n/m

Reply by pleasantonCA on 6/15/13 11:38pm
Msg #473531

Re: Check with your mechanic before deciding

Sorry, hit enter too soon!

I have newer car still under warranty and heard I did not need premium fuel as the manual says. After speaking with several of the technicians at the dealership, I decided it was in my best interest to keep using premium. As explained to me: if there were any engine issues while under warranty, the warranty may not be in effect with the use of regular fuel.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 6/16/13 12:46am
Msg #473532

Re: Ditto what pleasanton said AND

keywords are REQUIRED, RECOMMENDED, AND WARRANTY. If you are still in warranty and premium is rec. or req. it COULD give the manufacturer a reason to void your warranty. If out of warranty, ping and or performance will tell you. The REASON more cars can use regular is because of the computers and fuel injection systems in newer cars. They are making air/fuel and timing adjustments multiple tmes per second

Reply by Yoli/CA on 6/16/13 10:42am
Msg #473548

Re: Ditto what pleasanton said AND

I have a 2007 Lexus RX350 that I bought July 2006. Instructions on gas door say to use premium. For 7 years, I used only regular and have had no problems. It has almost 119,000 miles on it and runs great!

Reply by ikando on 6/16/13 6:38pm
Msg #473585

Re: Ditto what pleasanton said AND

Yoli, mine's a 2009 Lexus RX350, and like I said, dropping to mid-grade I seem to get better mileage than on premium. I haven't started using regular on a routine basis, but may try alternating to see what happens.