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CORNHICK

All-Star Author
Omaha

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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 11:02:46 AM

Is the more expensive gas worth buying. Is the second most expensive gas better than the cheapest or what exactly should I do or buy? Does one burn hotter than the other? Thank you
REPLIES (newest first)
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waynecz
Sophomore Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:30:56 PM

my experience has been you get slightly better fuel mileage, but it NEVER offsets the increas in the price you typically pay for the gasoline
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 8:02:38 PM

why is it when towing you get better mileage with higher octane I have heard of this before.
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PhilnTX
All-Star Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:15:09 AM

When I pull my work trailer, I get better fuel economy when I use either mid or premium.

For everyday driving, I use the cheapest lowest recommended octane level gas.
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Greenrancher
All-Star Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 6:40:20 AM

Use whatever is recommended by the manufacturer.
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WEDDY
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 5:54:33 AM

I have noticed any difference. Use what the manufacture recommends.
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the1roadhog
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 5:21:26 AM

Whatever works in your unit
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 11:43:40 PM

which is regular without death- a- nol (ethanol)
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jay93LA
Champion Author New Orleans

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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 4:57:25 AM

use regular
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GLM4205
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 3:01:58 AM

I buy what the owners manual recommends. And that is 87.
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the1roadhog
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 9, 2013 5:18:51 AM

Whatever the manny sez
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 7:19:00 PM

I once heard from a smart guy that not to buy the cheapest and not the most expensive but the happy medium so I just run that lol
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djp071158
All-Star Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 2:31:44 AM

I buy what the owners manual recommends. 97
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twt
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 12:56:00 AM

I buy what the service manual recommends.
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dgsteven
All-Star Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 12:19:30 AM

regular is okay
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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Jan 26, 2013 12:26:31 PM

I use what the manual for my car says to use, 87 or higher. I use 87.
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Snowchoux
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Jan 26, 2013 8:58:25 AM

I bought a car from an old individual years back, she only used premium. I started using regular and always heard a pinging. Why does this happen?
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chipote
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 12:03:11 AM

For my car regular is recommended
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Saab93turbo
Veteran Author Washington

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Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 3:32:36 PM

With quite a few cars, premium gas does getter better mileage but the difference is too small to pay for the higher cost. Best bet is to read the manufacturer's recommendation in the owner's manual. Some cars don't take advantage of premium and the owner's manual recommends 87 octane.

For my car, the EPA has 2 mpg ratings. The one with premium gas is the same in the city, 1 mpg better on the highway.
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DrVenture
Rookie Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 8:40:30 AM

Here is why premium fuel is much better. YES it is more expensive, but that is because of the extra added additives for better engine performance, and fuel economy. PLUS premium BURNS slower in the motor which will actually increase gas mileage because of the higher octane count. So yes you might pay on a monday a lot for premium, but will not require a fill up until maybe Friday, instead of tues, or weds filling up with Regular because of a few pennies. Many of you WASTE money on much more UNNEEDED things in life to really worry about gas price.
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emtrob2012
All-Star Author Myrtle Beach

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Message Posted: Jan 20, 2013 12:29:35 AM

prices are too high right now
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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 8:50:49 AM

I use 87 octane. The manual for my car states 87 or higher. Premium will not hurt it but will not give better fuel economy.

[Edited by: PaylessKY at 1/19/2013 11:51:41 AM EST]
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 17, 2013 11:04:25 PM

alright I will listen to you guys sorry I am just gonna stick with regular I don't want to waste my hard earned money on "PREMIUM" GAS. Premium sounds like bolgna unless you need it then use it people.
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Jeff1226
Sophomore Author Flint

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Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 8:55:04 AM

only regular
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medic6133
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 4:32:18 AM

My car takes premium & that's what I feed her.
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RalphHightower
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 2:59:40 AM

Premium is recommended for my car, so that's what I use.
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 9:18:27 PM

I'm just going to use premium in my car even though it isn't required it may be a placebo effect but I swear my car runs better on it and my friends spend money a lot more stupid than buying the better gas for their cars!
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carinthuist
Champion Author San Francisco

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Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 7:19:40 PM

in one of my cars premium
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 12:48:29 PM

for me
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 12:48:15 PM

premium only
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 10:37:17 PM

im going to do a average fuel test on all four different grades of gas premium super unleaded, unleaded and e-85 and see what is most cost effective.
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jes
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 5:12:38 AM

Unless the owners manual specifically requires your vehicle to use premium, you're just wasting your money.
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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 1:00:46 AM

Check the manual for your vehicle and use what it state you should use.
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Karisholman
Veteran Author Nevada

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Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 7:20:08 PM

If you track your mpg it can be helpful to experiment and see if better fuel improves performance or mpg
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 2:47:26 PM

just bought e85 105 octane burns hotter though :(
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dgsteven
All-Star Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 1:11:15 AM

always regular
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DucatiRider
Rookie Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Oct 3, 2012 6:49:03 AM

It depends on your engine. Higher compression ratio means you need higher octane.

The only difference between grades of gas is the octane -- that is the stability of the gas to avoid detonating as it is compressed in the cylinder.

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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Sep 30, 2012 10:16:21 AM

If your vehicle needs premium, use it other wise stay with regular.
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DisMusBeDaPlaz
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 27, 2012 9:25:29 PM

For my vehicle, to get the performance that is meant to perform, I have to purchase the higher octane.

When people start messing with the mixture that is suppose to go in their vehicles, and becomes sluggish......that should tell you something about the purchase of fuel going into the vehicle.
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CORNHICK
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Sep 27, 2012 5:32:05 PM

so if i my car doesn't require high octane don't use it ?
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RalphHightower
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 27, 2012 3:07:26 AM

Premium is recommended for my Chevy HHR 2.4L because of the high compression ratio, so that's what I use.
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carinthuist
Champion Author San Francisco

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Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 10:10:36 PM

yes increse mpg
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ariona14
Sophomore Author Miami

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Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 3:43:16 PM

my nissan murano requires premium which is 93 down here in florida since we have 87, 89 and 93 as the 3 grades
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twt
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 7:13:23 AM

Use what your car maker recommends.
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Banjoe
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 5:00:00 AM

Lots of theories on this topic. Good to see some real information amongst the fluff.

Too bad there aren't flags showing the true science comments so the learning folks can just jump to those.
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gvan
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 4:01:41 AM

One viewpoint:

Myth: Premium gas gets better mileage than regular.

Facts: This myth goes back to the 1960s, Mazor says, when only premium gas had detergent, which helps clean the engine and improves its efficiency. However, now all fuel grades have detergents.
“Our recommendation is to read your owner’s manual,” says Mazor. “Ninety percent of cars on the road run on regular gasoline.” If you use premium when it isn’t required, he says, the only thing you’re draining is your wallet.
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ivmotorsports
Rookie Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 8:11:45 AM

Use it only if your owners manula requires it
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weddy11
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Sep 19, 2012 7:10:16 AM

Use what is recommended for your car. Buying higher octane gas is a total waste of money if your car runs good on regular. No difference in gas mileage from regular to the most expensive.
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Coya843
Rookie Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 8:32:03 AM

My gas economy is so much better with premium fuel vs. regular fuel.
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ultimate
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 4:50:14 AM

only if regular makes your car knock
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GLM4205
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 3:05:22 AM

I agree with oilerfan. See manufacturer's recommendations.
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