Premium versus Regular Gas - Performance difference?

[collwjhcwu]

I have read a few comments about people feeling their car reacts better with premium... Need some feedback from experienced drivers... Will using premium boost my performance and MPG, or just run slightly cleaner?

[meow77]

use premium... cleaner gas means less carbon buildup in your egr and engine.... as for mileage..hmm... maybe some extra mileage nothing to write home about...

[figgy]

Partly just because the Insight uses so little, I have always used Premium.

[Resist]

Increased octane does not mean your car will run better, unless the car was designed to use it. So mainly higher compression engines work better on it. Premium gas is also not always cleaner. Chevron gas has it's Techron in all their grades.

Save your money and just use a quality grade of regular.

[Dougie]

Or if you live in one of the cities where BP sells it, use their low sulphur premium because it reduces emissions, not that the performance will be better.

[LoNOx 1]

I use the Amoco Ultimate from BP. It is 30 ppm of sulfur compared to the normal 500 ppm.
I can also tell a difference in performance compared to 87 octane.
Starting at the same speed at the bottom of a hill, I can top the hill about 5mph faster with steady throttle pressure using Ultimate 92 octane versus regular 87 octane.

[Insightful Trekker]

While the Insight's compression ratio is not optimal for 91 octane it does have a knock sensor and will adjust ignition timing to optimize a higher octane fuel (up to a limit).

Low sulfur fuel also has life extending properties for the O2 sensors and CAT. Sulfur is probably the #1 "contaminant" that shortens these (combine $1,500.00 + $) components service life.

And yes, its another one of those impossible to quantify outside of laboratory conditions variables. So where the cost effective point is can't be reliably determined out here in the real world.

[Resist]

Originally Posted by LoNOx 1

Starting at the same speed at the bottom of a hill, I can top the hill about 5mph faster with steady throttle pressure using Ultimate 92 octane versus regular 87 octane.

Are you sure it's just just not the added weight of a hefty meal you had? 5mph hardly confirms it was premium over regular. Other factors can come into play like outside temp, tire pressure, car waxed, windy day.....and many other things.

[meow77]

Well folks I did some research on gases and I've heard both sides of the story. In respect to our cars I don't think 94 octane is necessary but its certainly not bad for the car either.

One thing I did find is its not good to go back and forth from ethanol gases to non ethanol... either stay with the higher grade or with a lower grade but don't go back and forth ... it influences your emissions. ...

also sulphur levels greatly influence smog etc.. in Canada there is now legislation forcing gas companies to be under 30ppm for all gases across the board and mmt is now mostly not in Canadian gases...

personally there is a petro can station selling 91 octane near me; but I will not buy it... I'll stick with the 94 ethonal brand... it does produce less emissions than say a 91 for regular cars... for ours not much of a difference... its a matter of personal choice but for the difference between them in price and how often I go to a gas station eg... once a month I don't mind buying 94... oh and on top of that I add lucas fuel enhancer and get even better mileage..

[LoNOx 1]

Originally Posted by Resist

Many variables have been considered and checked. Over the last almost 13 months, I have traveled the same commute 259 times 42.6 miles south to work and 259 times 42.6 miles north to home. 33% of the time south at 6a.m., 33% south at 1p.m., 33% south at 9p.m.. Yes, I have considered.
No, it wasn't a documented lab experiment so I must say it is only (IMHE) in my humble experience.
I have tried this with our other car and truck and could not tell a difference.