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Premium gas often not needed; driver is top mpg factor

USA Today -- Regular gas probably is OK in some cars meant for premium gas, unless the automaker specifies that high-octane is "required" rather than "recommended."

And that can take a load off your wallet, especially now when there's a 30-cent difference between the average price of regular unleaded, $3.78 a gallon, vs. premium at $4.08 a gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge.

Hot weather, heavy loads, high altitudes - those might demand premium fuel even if it's only recommended.

Listen for pings and knocks. A few, now and then, is not a problem, engineers say. But if you hear a lot of under-hood rattling, ease off the gas pedal immediately and go find a premium pump. You risk wrecking the engine otherwise.

Driver behavior still matters more than technology as a fuel-saving solution.

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Submitted Feb 23, 2013 By: brbaritone

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ddor All-Star Author Michigan Posts:986 Points:239,795 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 9:21:46 AM Ignore ddor Report Abuse Ok
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,074 Points:1,628,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 4:23:06 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse "required" rather than "recommended." word spin
Happytalk Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,140 Points:578,840 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 2:50:14 AM Ignore Happytalk Report Abuse not needed
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,490 Points:1,558,500 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 2:21:29 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse If premium gasoline isn't suggested for your car, don't bother using it since there will be no gain in performance. You'll just be wasting your money.
Zing20 All-Star Author Fresno Posts:694 Points:173,095 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 1:56:55 AM Ignore Zing20 Report Abuse Regular works fine for my car.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,121 Points:824,370 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:26:37 AM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse There is no news in this article.
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,473 Points:663,925 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:20:13 AM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Use what is needed.
Robert44 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,580 Points:1,220,915 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:10:25 AM Ignore Robert44 Report Abuse O.K.
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,600 Points:688,175 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:05:51 AM Ignore southrob Report Abuse dhan
RAE344 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,069 Points:662,495 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:04:16 AM Ignore RAE344 Report Abuse If you can afford a car that needs premium fuel, you might want to use it. Unless you bought above your means.
LostInNY Champion Author New York Posts:1,721 Points:648,795 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 12:04:02 AM Ignore LostInNY Report Abuse nonsense...
btex49 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,720 Points:531,080 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:58:57 PM Ignore btex49 Report Abuse Who makes big vehicles that need premium gas?
lowspeed All-Star Author Akron Posts:726 Points:201,280 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:58:07 PM Ignore lowspeed Report Abuse does it make that big of a difference?
BREW9 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:886 Points:2,913,805 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:56:48 PM Ignore BREW9 Report Abuse absolutly
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,317 Points:1,522,395 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:56:19 PM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse Something many drivers ignore and over pay to buy for their cars...
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,623 Points:486,780 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:54:18 PM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse Very few vehicles now a day need premium fuel any more
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,461 Points:1,884,890 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:52:40 PM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse true
sjhman Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:410 Points:277,670 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:52:04 PM Ignore sjhman Report Abuse More people need to know this
redhornet Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,744 Points:888,175 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:51:16 PM Ignore redhornet Report Abuse waste of money on higher grades it is all the same fuel.
nimpy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,140 Points:1,702,080 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:50:49 PM Ignore nimpy Report Abuse This is good
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,659 Points:2,360,945 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:43:17 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I am guessing most use regular most of the time, and save on costs. Who uses mid-grade?
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,390 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:43:10 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Any particular reason why the gasoline engine on the Chevy Volt requires premium, @Focus2?
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,945 Points:1,757,235 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:43:05 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse I drive a car "recommended", never use it.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,390 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:42:19 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse You know what's in fuel additive, @obimerrill? Methanol... ethanol's dirty cousin.
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,010 Points:662,840 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:40:14 PM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse My scooter likes the premium gas :)
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,390 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:39:32 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Gotta disagree with you @OuttaOfGAS. Unless a car specifically requires premium, you won't get much benefit from premium gas. Most engines are not so finely tuned that they'll wring every last ounce of energy out of premium. Engines that get the most out of premium usually have a higher compression ratio. The higher octane is necessary to prevent detonation caused by the higher compression.
bisonjim Champion Author Florida Posts:1,060 Points:207,205 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:39:13 PM Ignore bisonjim Report Abuse ok
R209 Champion Author California Posts:6,613 Points:242,570 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:36:52 PM Ignore R209 Report Abuse Use the grade that is recommended.
scubadaniel Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,426 Points:693,045 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:35:20 PM Ignore scubadaniel Report Abuse But if your car needs it, you'd better use it
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,760 Points:1,217,995 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:32:32 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse more like 40 cents a gallon here
mckellyb Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:12,450 Points:2,251,355 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:31:02 PM Ignore mckellyb Report Abuse With some vehicles, it DOES make a difference. Even with knock sensors, I noticed with our 1995 Dodge Intrepid with the 3.5L engine, using 87 octane, 89 was recommended, while the timing was retarded to prevent pre-ignition, it created a hesitation on acceleration from a dead stop, so over time, it broke the rear motor mount. I did the cost/benefit analysis on it, rough difference in price over 85K miles, and the cost of a motor mount. Looking at it purely that way, I broke even. However, I did use 89 octane in it, afterward, 'cause the hesitation drove me nuts over time. Now, there are vehicles which specify premium which DO NOT need it. The two I have personal experience with are both Mercedes, a 1989 vintage 420SEL and a 1995 vintage E320. Both were known to have special US-only resistors which retarded timing to be 100% fine with regular. Elsewhere, you really did need to use high octane fuel to prevent engine damage over the long term. However, those engines also produced slightly more power. Everything is a trade-off.
gobux10 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,179 Points:680,935 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:29:50 PM Ignore gobux10 Report Abuse Never buy premium gas
Lairre Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,055 Points:189,110 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:29:06 PM Ignore Lairre Report Abuse No difference.
cssco Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,331 Points:1,752,505 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:25:53 PM Ignore cssco Report Abuse Gasoline, one oh one.
OnABudget1 All-Star Author Salinas Posts:544 Points:449,070 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:22:42 PM Ignore OnABudget1 Report Abuse I did note a difference in my car when i didn't use premium.
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,579 Points:1,699,415 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:21:15 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse Was it ever needed?
snagged Veteran Author Akron Posts:396 Points:111,430 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:21:05 PM Ignore snagged Report Abuse I've never seen anybody buy anything other then regular.
TxPDawg All-Star Author Austin Posts:657 Points:380,995 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:20:42 PM Ignore TxPDawg Report Abuse I wouldn't want to own a car that can't run off regular gas. Thats' just me
IMLURCH Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,189 Points:1,104,155 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:20:08 PM Ignore IMLURCH Report Abuse And what is E15 going to do to it.
ILoveGoldens All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:901 Points:378,880 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:20:07 PM Ignore ILoveGoldens Report Abuse Drivers need to save money!!
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,790 Points:586,040 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:15:00 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse Most cars can use regular
Spankster85 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,729 Points:357,815 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:02:36 PM Ignore Spankster85 Report Abuse I had a car that required premium. What a pain that was.
davenles Champion Author Texas Posts:3,204 Points:719,820 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 10:39:06 PM Ignore davenles Report Abuse Not as big of a need as it was even a decade ago.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,223 Points:519,600 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:52:03 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Easy on the accelerator...
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,310 Points:1,638,920 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:50:01 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse OK!
Rhino8of8 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,251 Points:375,465 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:48:29 PM Ignore Rhino8of8 Report Abuse Driver habits absolutely make the most difference
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,559 Points:1,919,895 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:46:12 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Another Big oil scam!
unloquacious Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,693 Points:1,040,640 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:42:32 PM Ignore unloquacious Report Abuse I agree.
jklh88 Champion Author California Posts:9,902 Points:1,785,000 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:42:21 PM Ignore jklh88 Report Abuse That's true
darkknight1 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:4,345 Points:897,035 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:41:02 PM Ignore darkknight1 Report Abuse I'm just a "regular" guy.