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Yeah, I posted a while back a rough mathematical breakdown and, if your car maintained the same fuel efficiency with the lower octane, you’d save around $200/year. Of course, since fuel efficiency will be reduced, any cost savings will be negligible, and you’ll be hurting your engine in the process. Just not worth it, IMO.
Eating McD's once in a while isn't going to kill you or cause any long-lasting damage to your body.
But eating it all the time will lead to obesity and other negative health effects. It's not something you'll notice right away, but over time it will have it's negative impact.
For the price you're paying for the car, a few bucks per tank is a drop in the bucket.
Nice analogy.
It's a shame some people are perfectly content with McDs all the time.
Went on 400 mile trip yesterday mostly motorway and light traffic, 26.6 uk mpg equivalent to 22.15 us mpg, in comfort mode. Don't know whether UK cars are tuned differently to US cars but not able to get anywhere the figures you guys seem to be getting.
Curious if anyone is using regular octane instead of premium. I know it says to use premium but I was told regular is safe to use, too. Just may not get full power and at a cost of some fuel efficiency. For the latter, I think the math may make the savings in fuel cost outweigh the savings in fuel economy. At least, in theory. Has anyone actually tried this? Asking about the 350.
that's crazy.... why not just get Toyota... its designed for 87 if you want to save money.
Agree. To cheap out on what runs your very expensive car is to do yourself and your car a disservice.
There is a difference in performance from using a 87 to 91. If you have access to 93 no ethanol the difference in sport mode is very noticeable especially if you have a 450. Do not cheap out on gas when driving a merc. If you can pay for a premium car you should be able to afford premium gas. If you really want to be frugal on gas but have some luxury go with a Lexus RX hybrid.
There is a difference in performance from using a 87 to 91. If you have access to 93 no ethanol the difference in sport mode is very noticeable especially if you have a 450. Do not cheap out on gas when driving a merc. If you can pay for a premium car you should be able to afford premium gas. If you really want to be frugal on gas but have some luxury go with a Lexus RX hybrid.
Actually any modern engine that's turbocharged, you shouldn't use anything below what's recommended by manufacturer, including Lexus. If it's an old carburator engine in high elevation, go right ahead. If it's naturally aspirated modern engine, using lo to mid throttle in high elevation, you could probably get away with it but it's not worth it to me. Once you feel that knock, switch back to 91 ASAP. Octane # is basically a measure of reducing knock. Knock is when high pressure causes the combustion instead of the spark plug, and that inadvertent flame then collides with the combustion from the spark plug creating a shockwave (that's the knock you hear).