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Author	Topic: Premium vs Regular Gas: Any REAL Benefits in YOUR Experience?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

FeinDenz Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:42 Points:30,065 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 8:39:27 PM Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse CBC TV in Canada had tests done that indicate Premium is a waste of money even for some cars tuned for it. Certainly no benefit to the environment when using Premium, it actually produced MORE hydrocarbons than Regular! Our Ottawa Subaru Club posted quantified benefits from Premium, most would only use it for their WRX & STi turbo engines. One told of a family member with a normal Lexus with Regular being recommended, yet its performance & even idling were unsatisfactory unless using Premium. Any real experiences in favour of either Regular when Premium is in the Manual, or improved driving & consumption when using Premium?

FeinDenz

Rookie Author
Ottawa

Posts:42
Points:30,065
Joined:Aug 2002

Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 8:39:27 PM

Ignore FeinDenz Report Abuse

CBC TV in Canada had tests done that indicate Premium is a waste of money even for some cars tuned for it. Certainly no benefit to the environment when using Premium, it actually produced MORE hydrocarbons than Regular!

Our Ottawa Subaru Club posted quantified benefits from Premium, most would only use it for their WRX & STi turbo engines. One told of a family member with a normal Lexus with Regular being recommended, yet its performance & even idling were unsatisfactory unless using Premium.

Any real experiences in favour of either Regular when Premium is in the Manual, or improved driving & consumption when using Premium?

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

Alien6500 All-Star Author London Posts:945 Points:140,275 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 3:19:55 PM Ignore Alien6500 Report Abuse tried all never seen much difference
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,054,930 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:19:07 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Depends on the engine setup.
hyeglenn Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,070 Points:598,930 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 7:55:41 AM Ignore hyeglenn Report Abuse Save your money, get the cheep stuff.
WES03 Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,838 Points:1,264,395 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 7:30:44 AM Ignore WES03 Report Abuse Can't afford to try.
dlgrote Rookie Author Stockton Posts:22 Points:4,120 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 5:16:42 PM Ignore dlgrote Report Abuse i think newer cars no benefit.. older yes. meaning older than 1990
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,238 Points:328,285 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 5:15:25 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse yes premium on my 88 camaro better mpg
Vaad Sophomore Author New York Posts:100 Points:149,860 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 9:09:12 AM Ignore Vaad Report Abuse In old cars putting a higher octane level may help. it doesn't hurt to try. if you don't feel any change just go back to 87
Vaad Sophomore Author New York Posts:100 Points:149,860 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 9:07:31 AM Ignore Vaad Report Abuse most cars come with a recommended octane level. if they say 87 i don't see any need for anything higher
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,732 Points:430,875 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 8:52:08 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse same, no difference.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,026 Points:1,854,745 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 1:32:23 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse on a vehicle requiring premium 3 mpg loss if using regular octane
acvw74 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,105 Points:688,350 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 8:40:28 PM Ignore acvw74 Report Abuse I did test this on a 2007 Mazda 6 4 cyl. I tried this while on my last vacation...I started off by running several weeks prior to vac. by running 93 octane...then for half of my trip...then on the way home I switched to 87...I tried to be consistent and use the same brand of fuel through the whole test (BP in this case). I found that the MPG did increase slightly, but only enough to just pay for the increased price of premium - And that is driving VERY carefully...not worth it!
alphanyr Champion Author Connecticut Posts:4,820 Points:674,775 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 1:30:41 PM Ignore alphanyr Report Abuse reg
wrmedic All-Star Author Nebraska Posts:923 Points:339,055 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 12:48:05 PM Ignore wrmedic Report Abuse If you continual use premium you might see a difference but I don't know if it pencils our. If you constantly switch or just compare one tank full you won't see a difference newer vehicles have an adaptive fuel injection and don't change over night it takes a while for them to relearn how much fuel to inject.
joeym1044 Veteran Author Reading Posts:275 Points:277,845 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 9:27:21 AM Ignore joeym1044 Report Abuse no
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,239 Points:1,036,545 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 8:54:45 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse None
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,385 Points:1,120,850 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 7:21:53 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Regular is fine
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,715 Points:1,580,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 12:48:16 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Read the vehicle manual. If it states to use premium then use it otherwise use regular.
Banjoe Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:4,240 Points:613,210 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2012 6:49:42 AM Ignore Banjoe Report Abuse With all this confusion going on, I'm glad I'm running a diesel.
Bluebird333 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:634 Points:52,300 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2012 6:08:32 AM Ignore Bluebird333 Report Abuse It's like this, if you car doesn't need premium then don't use it. If the manufacture says you need it then its best you use it (unless you don't mind engine knock, it can happen). High compression and forced induction engines should definitely use premium. My car is a twin turbo Audi and I would never put regular gas in it because I want it (the engine) to last.
RacerZ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,340 Points:1,996,425 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2012 12:39:57 AM Ignore RacerZ Report Abuse Yes, my car says 91 octane. I run 93 and the car performs best with this gas. If I were to run 87, yes I would save money initially at the pump, however fuel economy would fall as well as engine performance, so are you really saving any money? Nope! Run what is recommended.
B5Quattro Sophomore Author Akron Posts:139 Points:107,725 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 10:05:56 PM Ignore B5Quattro Report Abuse yes , all 3 of my cars get better mpgs on premium . The Audi is made for it . I can get by on my V6 with mid-grade , turbo car needs premium. My Ford made for regular has given 2-3 more mpgs on summer trips if I use premium.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,248 Points:122,360 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 9:38:39 PM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse Manual says premium and I wouldn't believe the CBC on that one.