Wheens

Actually, if you read my posts, you'll see that I wasn't lamenting the cost as much as I was asking what mechanical effects, if any, would a change to a lower octane fuel cause.

Economically, I've been blessed. I own 2 C320's and a Porsche 911 cab. All use premium. I probably spend as much on single malt scotch than I do on gas in a year's time.

HumblePie

Well, I can't speak from too much experience but a recent trip to Whistler, BC stuck me with one tank at 89 octane. I didn't notice too much of a difference. However, on the way back I stopped at a Chevron and then had Supreme Plus 94 octane. I filled up with that and I can tell you that there is a dramatic difference in responsiveness in my car. Normally I use the 91-2 octane and it feels pretty responsive. However, using the 94, I would say that it felt better than normal. The only downside to my personal analysis is that the comparison goes from 92 octane to 89 octane to 94 octane. Obviously, a big jump. In any case, it has me looking in the states for 94 octane...

GDawgC220

The only station I know of in New England area is Sunoco that has 94 octane and it's expensive.

erickgarci

just sign up with costco or sams club their price for premium 91 is usually as much or even less than regular 87 at other gas stations. if your going to be cheap then go cheap but premium.

amdeutsch

If I understand you correctly you are saying that you will save approximately 20 cents per gallon or thereabouts for the price of a membership fee: usually $30 or more. I know that the Sam's in my area doesn't discount that much.

Mike T.

Actually I did, thanks very much, and it was pretty clear from your first posting in this thread that the topic arose because of the recent increase in gas prices. It was in your first sentence.

The technical arguments certainly are interesting.

But why - if you are not getting the shakes when handing over big bucks for a fill - would the recent gas price thing have entered into the equation?

Just wondering....

In any case, sure, go ahead and use 87 octane and recycled motor oil, toilet paper oil filters, what the hell

I'll stick to the manufacturer's recommendations.

GDawgC220

wheens - do what you want to do. take all of these responses, including mine, with a grain of salt. your money, your car, your choice

there's always going to be different stories on gas octanes, as it's been asked hundreds of times and it's always started post wars :p

HITMAN

Gas isnt that bad in texas it about 1.69 for 93 but i get a free discount from randals membership wich was also free try your local grocery store and save

GDawgC220

goddamn, I haven't seen $1.69 / gallon for 93 in a LONG time here in New England.

HITMAN

Maybe its because this is bush's home state

There is even cheaper gas here at H.E.B

By the way randals and H.E.B. are both grocery stores Randals being nicer than H.E.B.

GDawgC220

Here's a thought...I know that less brand name gas stations cost less than name brand stations, such as Mobil, Shell, Exxon, etc.

There's a gas station pretty well known here in New England called "Hess" and they sell premium for about $1.86 / gallon. Is there any *real* difference between their gas and Mobil gas? I hear that the gas is distributed through the same tanks, just different shipping companies and such...any thought on this? I'd rather pay $1.86 / gallon for premium rather than $2.09 at Mobil if it's the same. Gas is gas, isn't it?

HITMAN

Yes the gas is the same but some gas stations put water in there tanks to make more and some make there pumps say they put more gallons even though there is less going in.....All in all this is illegal and i dont know about other states but in texas they have poeple that go around and check the pumps and gas.

GDawgC220

they have inspections every year I believe in MA as well to make sure all the measurements and such are correct and not cheating customers. One of the news stations here did a undercover story about this and it started a whole investigation type thing.

This is a well known chain, just I guess not considered "name brand" when it comes to filling up at the pumps. www.hess.com

HITMAN

I used to be a name brand only person but then i found it really dosent matter

GDawgC220

lol, well my uncle has been using them for years now on his Lexus GS so I'm assuming it's fine

rescueswimmer

Hitman sorry to inform you that water in your tanks is a big no no. We use to own a gas station If you put water in your tanks the gas floats above the water and sice the pumps are on the bottom of the tank you would fill someones car up with mostly water and guess what. You would no if your car had water in the gas. not to mention there are filters everywere to take care of moisture in the lines. Im not sure were you got your info on the water in the gas but your wrong there. Now people puting the same grade of gas in all three tanks I have heard of that hapening.

HITMAN

I may be wrong but i dont think i am. I have heard countless times on the news about stations putting water in the tanks. Any ways how do you know this did you put water in your tanks

rescueswimmer

No never put water in our tanks. When you purchase a station from exxon or who ever they come out and do inspections first then they do moisture test in the tanks. They explain if your tanks has a leak and water got into what would happen. and what would happen is that a car would get nothing but water if there was a substantial amount of water in the tanks. ie a couple 100 gallons since they each tank can hold between 1000 to 10000 gallons depending on the size of your gas station. You may have heard about someone doing this but obvous there a moron.

HITMAN

May be you should go back and read my pervious posts! I think you read them wrong!

rescueswimmer

ah hell with it. Point well taken. There are definitly some screw ***** out there and will do anything to try to make a buck. Hope all is well.

edd1e22

I listen to AM 810 radio and there is talk show host name Dr. Bill Wattenberg(sp) late at night who always discusses some interesting issues. Tonight, he talked about octane ratings and how it is all a bunch of BS for most cars. His logic is that unless you are running a high performance race car, you don't need the high octane gas as cars today are equipped with knock control. Also, the high octane gas contains more stuff(forgot what his exact wording was) that makes the gas burn slower thus decreasing the combustion. Is there any knowledgeable folks on the board that can corrorborate this? I sure as hell wouldn't mind spending less gas if it really didn't make a difference. He also claims it is the biggest ruse the petrol industry has pulled on the public. I always used 91(highest available in northern california) in my cars as I assumed it was the best but what he said kinda did make sense.

amdeutsch

There have been numerous past discussions about this subject. Some even in combination with pulleys, etc.

mctwin2kman

Yes they do have Anti-Knock controls in them, but to get to the anti knock part you need to have a knock first. Then the ECU retards timing and changes some things to stop the knock. Thus losing power and of course causing the knock in the first place. Knock is not good on the engine, and use of regular gas in an engine designed for Premium is just asking for trouble. You will get worse gas mileage and detonation when it should not be happening. Hence the knock. Do this long enough and the pistons will not like you or the cheap gas and cause damage. Now our engines ECU does have the ability to be adapted, changed, to use lower octane gas. You lose power but you will have the optimum ECU settings for the lesser fuel and the engine will thank you!!!!

Buellwinkle

Having worked for an oil company for years I can tell you that what they pay to make premium over regular is pennies. What you pay at the pump can be as high as 20 cents more. In standard form, our cars will not run well on regular, just going from premium to mid-grade you will lose about 20 HP and get about 1-2 miles mpg less, negating any cost benefit of premium. Now that doesn't mean your car won't run on regular, the dealer can set the octane rating for your car so that it will run on regular. The penalty won't be as stiff, when I tried it I only lost 17 HP on the dyno. So if gas prices have you down and you simply can not afford the extra 5-8% and performance is not an issue, have the dealer set the octane setting down so that you can run 87.

CitronC230K_03

i dont think they are nonsense, the octane rating have a purpose.