Quote:
Originally Posted by AhadV
No matter how hard I drive the Z it won't ever match the rx8's mileage. That 1.3 liter rotary ate 14 miles per gallon.. and 17mpg highway. Not to mention the Z is way more fun. Still trying to figure out if anyone has tried regular unleaded to get better gas mileage?
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In the context of the thread, 87 vs 91+ is irrelevant, as GTI's also prefer premium fuel too.
The past 5 cars I've owned have had premium-fuel requirements. This topic always comes up in enthusiast forums when gas prices start to rise. Frankly, I really don't understand those who try to "sneak by" with cheapening out on running regular grade gas in a 'premium-recommended' car. I mean, it's your car, so do whatever you want. And yeah, it'll usually be 'ok' to run regular unless Premium is
required, like in the case of a WRX STi. But MPGs are far more dependent on the driver, temperature, & wind than on octane. I suspect that achieving better MPG on 87 would be from the driver intentionally being easy on the gas pedal ("it's ok to run 87, just don't accelerate hard") rather than from the gas itself.
But look at the economics...
The price of premium should be .20-.30 /gallon more than the cheap stuff. At least, that's been the case everywhere I've ever filled up one of my cars, whether at home or traveling. Some stations do gouge more for premium (one in my town charges + $.50/gallon more than regular
), but they are (IMHO) the exception, not the rule.
So let's assume you're filling up with 17 gallons. Assume 87 is $3.50, 91+ is $3.70. You're spending $59.50 on 87, or $62.90 on 91+. A difference of $3.40 or 5.4%. I get it that $3.40 is $3.40. Times are hard, and every dollar counts. But if that extra $3.40 over the $~60 it cost to fill up is that much of a strain on your budget, then you've got bigger problems than whether or not to put premium in your car. Go buy a Prius.
Furthermore, the higher gas prices go, the
less expensive relative to regular that premium becomes, assuming that $.20 difference remains. At $4 for 87, $4.20 for 91+, you're still paying just $3.40 more than the guy filling up with 87, but that's 4.7% more ($68 vs $71.40) . If 87 hits $5 and 91+ hits $5.20, now you're just paying 3.8% more for premium ($85 vs $88.40). And so on. Hey, I know it's of little consolation when gas hits $5/gallon this summer, but it's mathematically correct.
Is saving those few dollars a fillup really worth worrying about damage and/or limiting the performance of your car?
Now, if premium gas suddenly becomes $.50, $.75, or $1 more /gallon than regular, or if you live in an area where premium is significantly more than regular, then the economics of the question become much more meaningful.