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Author	Topic: Do you get better gas mileage with regular, mid-grade, or pemium	Post a Reply Back to Topics

blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 2:45:17 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse I recently started testing the difference between putting mid-grade vs. premium in my motorcycle. I've noticed a definite difference in mileage, to the tune of 4-6 more MPG on Premium vs. Mid-Grade. In fact, even with the higher price per gallon of Premium, I'm saving money - about $1.50/100 miles by using premium over mid-grade. Have you tried this yet? If so, what has your experience been? Post your calculations and let us know. Formula (MILES / MPG * COST = COST/100 Miles@ xx/MPG) GRADE MPG COST MILES Premium: 36-38 $4.04 100 miles. Cost of fuel: $10.94/100 miles @ 37/MPG Mid-grade: 32-34 $3.86 100 miles. Cost of fuel: $11.72/100 miles @ 33/MPG

blckwolf

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North Carolina

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Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 2:45:17 PM

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I recently started testing the difference between putting mid-grade vs. premium in my motorcycle. I've noticed a definite difference in mileage, to the tune of 4-6 more MPG on Premium vs. Mid-Grade. In fact, even with the higher price per gallon of Premium, I'm saving money - about $1.50/100 miles by using premium over mid-grade.

Have you tried this yet? If so, what has your experience been? Post your calculations and let us know.

Formula (MILES / MPG * COST = COST/100 Miles@ xx/MPG)

GRADE MPG COST MILES
Premium: 36-38 $4.04 100 miles. Cost of fuel: $10.94/100 miles @ 37/MPG
Mid-grade: 32-34 $3.86 100 miles. Cost of fuel: $11.72/100 miles @ 33/MPG

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 4:54:51 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse dontuknowOH: Now you're getting technical! Most people don't know how to check their compression level, let alone what it is! Also, unfortunately, I currently don't have the means to check my compression level on my vehicles. Last, none of my vehicles are turbo either. My wife's Lexus does use premium per the manuf. recommendation, but I have put mid-grade in it w/o ill effect (I put mid-grade in her Infinity too all the time when we had that car and it never affected the engine.) I have not tested her mileage performance yet (she drives it for the most part, and doesn't really care how much money she spends on gas - go figure). In most cases, I used to tend to think that manuf. claims of needing to use "Premium only" were overstated - but now that I've been testing the effect of running lower grade on my Hog, I'm beginning to think that maybe they're not so full of it after all...
DLL66 Veteran Author Nashville Posts:372 Points:409,090 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 2:13:15 PM Ignore DLL66 Report Abuse Never tried this, but wonder about it. I just use what the manufacture calls for. My F-150 it gets 87, the BMW gets 89, the Harley get 93.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,097 Points:36,545 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:27:57 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse One should check their car manual first.Later what is the compression ratio? Then know if your vehicle has variable cam automatic timing... Older engines did not. They had a setting fitted only for wear. Others not. Also if that engine is a turbo most likely it needs the higher grades for performance due to compression/boost pressure with variable cam timing. Special engines are designed for the major rpm ranges they will operate in whether for work or competing. Correct combustion temps for what each engine is designed for can relate to the proper fuel used or mileage/performance can suffer or prosper. If my CELs stay off I continue doing what I have in the past. Engine's tastes are different from Humans! Really..... CELs are touchy.....
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 8:47:49 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Maybe
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,370 Points:1,117,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 8:47:40 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Have no idea
blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 8:07:28 AM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse Arnsaks: While that would normally be the case, I am curious if vehicles that run 87 get better mileage on higher octane, since it contains more energy.
Arnsaks Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:155 Points:319,150 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 1:18:42 AM Ignore Arnsaks Report Abuse Whatever grade of fuel your car is designed to burn, that's what grade will give you the best mileage.
blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:11:44 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse MertieMan: I'm sorry, but that is completely wrong. If any grade of fuel that you buy at a gas station damages your car, then it's because the gas station screwed up and got something in the gasoline, the engine in your car was faulty, or you bought a lemon. Now, on HIGH OCTANE ONLY vehicles that state that your vehicle should ONLY have Premium, you can safely run Mid-grade, or even regular, but only for a short time. The lower grade fuel should not damage your engine in the short term, but I wouldn't recommend going down more than one grade level: i.e.: Going down to mid-grade from premium should be just fine, but going to regular will cause knocking or pinging in your premium only vehicle. Also, your gas mileage will probably suffer, and you won't have the power/acceleration you normally do.
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,716 Points:427,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 9:45:53 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse I never noticed a difference with my gas hog vehicles. Now that I have a fuel eoonomy car,I may try it see if there is a difference.
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,574 Points:2,699,885 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 7:37:22 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse here you get better mileage with regular since it doesn't have ethanol
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,768 Points:2,891,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 5:20:38 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse If your vehicle calls for 87 octane, you will NOT get any better gas milage running a higher octane rating, and you may do damage to your intakes in the process.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,097 Points:36,545 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 12:42:25 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse A few day back the temps got toward 50-60 F derees,my vehicle mileage improved very noticably.No accual checks but evident! Reg grade...
blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 8:33:07 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse So far, I have seen no significant improvement in my mileage (actually, I take that back - my first 60 miles or so on my new tires netted me a 4MPG gain, but later toady, I started riding like the devil and that probably dropped it back some...) with the new tires I mentioned in my earlier post. If I ride, I'll take it a little easier and see what happens.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,221 Points:326,010 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 7:53:37 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse premium gas better mpg
geno700 Veteran Author British Columbia Posts:336 Points:167,700 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 10:14:57 AM Ignore geno700 Report Abuse premium gave better mileage. but could not afford it
JustMe10 Rookie Author Richmond Posts:59 Points:792,885 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 7:34:47 AM Ignore JustMe10 Report Abuse I can only afford regular, so Regular.
DanFMA Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,091 Points:1,068,485 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 6:54:30 AM Ignore DanFMA Report Abuse Regular.
dasAuto All-Star Author Regina Posts:703 Points:502,520 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 12:31:13 AM Ignore dasAuto Report Abuse I tried that experiment the last two years with my car. There was no improvement in mileage. I got better mileage by buying regular-gasoline from different brands (i.e. the fuel was always a mix from low-end retailers to high end).
pawnkingfour All-Star Author Georgia Posts:541 Points:137,540 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2013 7:25:18 PM Ignore pawnkingfour Report Abuse Hhhmnnn! I haven't tried measuring MPG, although I always pump in the recommended regular octane by the manufacturer. I may try that.
PhilnTX All-Star Author Dallas Posts:656 Points:432,855 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2013 6:36:05 PM Ignore PhilnTX Report Abuse I typically get 1-2 MPG better when running ethanol free, 89 octane in my 2010 Silverado. E10 87 octane gives me my lowest MPG (I don't use E85)
tdioiler All-Star Author Detroit Posts:888 Points:416,785 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:22:12 PM Ignore tdioiler Report Abuse Some OEM's specify premium fuel for their EPA tags to match MPG. It was a big ploy by Toyota FX series to scream they beat the Jeep TJ in economy... until you read the fuel cap "Premium Only". Fill it with regular like the Jeep and you get less MPG.
blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:275 Points:69,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 7:27:53 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse My mileage is somewhat low for my motorcycle because 1) my bike is carbureted 2) I have a large Kuryakyn ProSeries Air Cleaner 3)Sampson Street Sweeper pipes and 4) a windshield that does create drag (reduces mileage based on my observations by about 1-2 MPG). I'm sure it could stand a tune up tweak and get better mileage. Carbureted bikes get a little lower mileage than FI bikes (my last FI got 42 MPG on average.) I just put new tires on today, so maybe my mileage will go up - we'll see. I will continue to test and post here. I will also run some tests on my truck (I usually use regular in it). Blckwolf
jnfrancois Rookie Author Orlando Posts:90 Points:26,435 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:20:49 AM Ignore jnfrancois Report Abuse don't know
Shamyne Rookie Author Orlando Posts:92 Points:32,255 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:20:33 AM Ignore Shamyne Report Abuse not sure
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,015 Points:1,852,695 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 8:39:41 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse . duplicate post [Edited by: ricebike at 3/18/2013 8:40:17 AM EST]
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,015 Points:1,852,695 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 8:39:41 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse most motorcycles requires premium but i got away with regular of course, my 250cc engine has decent mileage to begin with (65-70 MPG) [Edited by: ricebike at 3/18/2013 8:41:09 AM EST]
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,688 Points:1,324,375 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 8:35:16 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse I've never tried a test such as you outline. I'll watch/listen for your updates
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,702 Points:1,029,730 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 7:28:55 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse I'm surprised at the low MPG of your bike. My Corolla routinely gets 37 mpg around town and 40 mpg on the highway using regular 87. For the heck maybe I'll try experimenting on a long trip. [Edited by: rick_evans at 3/18/2013 7:30:08 AM EST]
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,768 Points:2,891,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 5:14:21 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse You are only supposed to run in the car what the manufacturer recommends and most vehicles on the road now only require 87 octance gasoline.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,145 Points:3,348,475 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 4:57:51 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse My Chevy Aveo requires regular 87 octane and that's all it's ever had.