The truth about gasoline grades

Paradox · 02-10-2009, 04:53 PM

This was sent to me via Infiniti newsletter.

The basic question we want to answer is, “Should you consider spending the extra money for Premium gas?” The answer is a qualified, “No.” The fact is, for most car and truck engines, Regular grade 87 is fine.

That’s good news, but what if your owner’s manual recommends Premium grade fuel? The key word is ‘recommends,’ which really means it’s okay to use Regular under most driving conditions. Virtually every expert – even those from oil companies and auto manufacturers – say that using Regular will not harm engines, but you’ll probably not get the ‘advertised’ performance. In other words, you may add a second to the zero-to-60 mph time a reviewer said you should expect from your car. Again, using Regular gas will not damage the modern engines of most of today’s cars.

Modern engines with advanced computerized engine management systems rapidly adjust their ignition timing at the first indication of knocking. For this reason, using Regular will not void your manufacturer’s warranty unless, in the rare case, your car’s owner’s manual states that Premium grade gasoline is REQUIRED. The owners of high performance engines that require the highest octane are well aware of this fact because high performance was an important factor in choosing their particular cars.

What Grade Do You Give Your Engine?

This is just for information and not suggesting that anyone should go to a lower grade fuel. However, if and when gas prices start peaking into the $4 or $5+ range I will probably remember this article.

When

my G I recall driving 42 miles to and from work 5 days a week. When gas prices were $3.65'ish +/- .10 cents depending on where you go in California. On average I was paying $75 per week. $300 a month on gas that's half my car payment.

Since gas has gone back down I'm paying on average $35 - $40 per week, and $160 a month. So, you can see how the numbers add up as the fluctuation of fuel goes.

chubbs · 02-10-2009, 05:03 PM

Come and live in England mate - I just did the calculation and we pay the equivalent of $6.73 per gallon over here.

If your fuel prices ever get high (and trust me, they are CHEAP at the moment), you'll realise that the difference in price between normal and higher grade fuel is very little, especially when you factor in the improved economy and performance that higher octane fuel gives you.

Why buy a sports car if you intend to penny-pinch over the fuel? - it's only a few cents difference.

ps - I'd never dream of using lower grade fuel in my car.

par4bmw · 02-10-2009, 05:42 PM

When fuel prices are higher, and if the gap between grades remains $.10, there is more reason to get the higher grade versus lower. The slight improvement in mileage pays off more as the price per gallon is higher.

Paradox · 02-10-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbs

Come and live in England mate - I just did the calculation and we pay the equivalent of $6.73 per gallon over here.

If your fuel prices ever get high (and trust me, they are CHEAP at the moment), you'll realise that the difference in price between normal and higher grade fuel is very little, especially when you factor in the improved economy and performance that higher octane fuel gives you.

Why buy a sports car if you intend to penny-pinch over the fuel? - it's only a few cents difference.

ps - I'd never dream of using lower grade fuel in my car.

Very true being that the UK pays by the litre vs. gallon. Along with that, I was not implying that anyone put lower grade fuel into their vehicle, as stated earlier that this was the information given to me by the Infiniti newsletter. I've had the G35 for about 2.5 years and I've never ever gone lower than Premium grade even during the ridiculously priced fuel phase.

BanningZ · 02-10-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbs

Come and live in England mate - I just did the calculation and we pay the equivalent of $6.73 per gallon over here.

If your fuel prices ever get high (and trust me, they are CHEAP at the moment), you'll realise that the difference in price between normal and higher grade fuel is very little, especially when you factor in the improved economy and performance that higher octane fuel gives you.

Why buy a sports car if you intend to penny-pinch over the fuel? - it's only a few cents difference.

ps - I'd never dream of using lower grade fuel in my car.

$5.00 gas and the 18 mpg city/26mpg Highway 370Z

Crash · 02-10-2009, 08:42 PM

Sorry, but there IS a difference in performance and mileage. Not to mention that we're not driving mini-vans and economy cars. We're talking about cars with HIGH compression ratios. Detonation isn't worth the savings even if there wasn't a performance and mileage difference.

vOliva · 02-12-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

Sorry, but there IS a difference in performance and mileage. Not to mention that we're not driving mini-vans and economy cars. We're talking about cars with HIGH compression ratios. Detonation isn't worth the savings even if there wasn't a performance and mileage difference.

Bingo!!!

+1 /thread

02-10-2009, 04:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paradox Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: LA Posts: 62 Drives: 05 G35 IP 6MT Rep Power: 200	The truth about gasoline grades This was sent to me via Infiniti newsletter. The basic question we want to answer is, “Should you consider spending the extra money for Premium gas?” The answer is a qualified, “No.” The fact is, for most car and truck engines, Regular grade 87 is fine. That’s good news, but what if your owner’s manual recommends Premium grade fuel? The key word is ‘recommends,’ which really means it’s okay to use Regular under most driving conditions. Virtually every expert – even those from oil companies and auto manufacturers – say that using Regular will not harm engines, but you’ll probably not get the ‘advertised’ performance. In other words, you may add a second to the zero-to-60 mph time a reviewer said you should expect from your car. Again, using Regular gas will not damage the modern engines of most of today’s cars. Modern engines with advanced computerized engine management systems rapidly adjust their ignition timing at the first indication of knocking. For this reason, using Regular will not void your manufacturer’s warranty unless, in the rare case, your car’s owner’s manual states that Premium grade gasoline is REQUIRED. The owners of high performance engines that require the highest octane are well aware of this fact because high performance was an important factor in choosing their particular cars. What Grade Do You Give Your Engine? This is just for information and not suggesting that anyone should go to a lower grade fuel. However, if and when gas prices start peaking into the $4 or $5+ range I will probably remember this article. When my G I recall driving 42 miles to and from work 5 days a week. When gas prices were $3.65'ish +/- .10 cents depending on where you go in California. On average I was paying $75 per week. $300 a month on gas that's half my car payment. Since gas has gone back down I'm paying on average $35 - $40 per week, and $160 a month. So, you can see how the numbers add up as the fluctuation of fuel goes. __________________ Current: 05 IP G35C 6MT

02-10-2009, 05:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
chubbs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Zeeland Posts: 1,046 Drives: 2016 370z Auto-Grey Rep Power: 7586	Come and live in England mate - I just did the calculation and we pay the equivalent of $6.73 per gallon over here. If your fuel prices ever get high (and trust me, they are CHEAP at the moment), you'll realise that the difference in price between normal and higher grade fuel is very little, especially when you factor in the improved economy and performance that higher octane fuel gives you. Why buy a sports car if you intend to penny-pinch over the fuel? - it's only a few cents difference. ps - I'd never dream of using lower grade fuel in my car. __________________ . '03 Grey >>> '06 Black >>>'10 Silver >>> '16 Grey ^

02-10-2009, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 589	Sorry, but there IS a difference in performance and mileage. Not to mention that we're not driving mini-vans and economy cars. We're talking about cars with HIGH compression ratios. Detonation isn't worth the savings even if there wasn't a performance and mileage difference. __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

02-10-2009, 05:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
par4bmw Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 267 Drives: 09 370 M6 Touring/Sp Rep Power: 445	When fuel prices are higher, and if the gap between grades remains $.10, there is more reason to get the higher grade versus lower. The slight improvement in mileage pays off more as the price per gallon is higher.