Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, First Drive
More cars than ever require premium fuel
Whether you call it "premium," "super unleaded," or even "high test," it all means the same thing -- the most expensive gasoline at the pump. In a somewhat counterproductive trend, the skyrocketing cost of fuel is forcing automobile manufacturers to use smaller and more powerful engines, often with forced-induction. Unfortunately, these engines require higher octane... the distinguishing feature of premium fuel.
Kelley Blue Book has been following the trend and according to their analysis, there were 166 vehicle models that required premium fuel in 2002. This year, that number is up to 282. While some automakers only require premium for their highest performing models, companies like BMW call for premium fuel across their model range.
While there is no advantage to running premium fuel in an engine that doesn't call for it, you should run the higher octane fuel in a powerplant designed for it (if in doubt, check the owner's manual, or the inside of the fuel filler door). While nearly every late-model high-performance engine on the road can handle a slightly lower octane rating without damage, don't skimp when filling up as your fuel economy and horsepower will suffer (yes, it will likely negate any savings at the pump).
[Source: USA Today]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
sovyanz 4:09PM (4/17/2008)
which is nice about some of the fuel managment in the bmw cars. they detect octane and adjust timing accordingly.
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Seoultrain 4:22PM (4/17/2008)
I think almost any modern premium-gas car has knock sensors and adjust timing accordingly. That simple technology is not exclusive to BMW.
Rboyett 4:25PM (4/17/2008)
Pretty much any car that has OBDII can adjust the engine for lower octane fuel.
The only reason manufacturers put a Premium Fuel requirement on their cars is because the EPA requires them to do so. The EPA requires it because the manufacturer submitted the car for CAFE testing with Premium Fuel. The Manufacturer wanted the car tested with Premium Fuel because it gives the car a bit more power and a bit better fuel economy. When it comes to CAFE ratings, every MPG counts.
My Nissan Murano required Premium but I never put a drop in it. My wife's old 2001 turbo beetle required it but we never used it. My buddies C6 says it is recommended but he's never used it. Not one of these cars has had a problem. Just do a google search for Premium Gas a Myth and you'll find that pretty much any car on the road can run just fine on 87 octane. You'll just see a dip in power and mileage. In most cases you won't even notice. There are very few cars that actually NEED 93 Octane.
Maxima98 5:29PM (4/17/2008)
I only use Premium fuel in my Maxima and have noticed a difference in fuel economy and power. Myth? I don't think so. On 88-89 I will get about 315-325 miles on a tank of gas. On 91-93 I will get 390-415 miles on a tank of gas.
Yeah, there is a difference in using Premium
Dan 6:13PM (4/17/2008)
Additionally, what many people fail to consider is that the gasoline used to engineer and test your vehicles (manufactured in Germany or Japan) is of much higher quality than you can get in the States.
In Europe, the lowest grade fuel you can get is 95 RON (equivalent to our 90-91 octane rating in the States). Which means that all the performance numbers you see from German automakers, are most likely achieved on a much higher grade fuel like 102RON (96-98 octane by our standards).
Likewise for Japan, I believe 102 RON is the lowest grade fuel available up to 105 RON.
What does all this mean? It means your car was most likely engineered for optimum performance on the expensive jungle juice available to our across-the-pond brethren... but eventually detuned to survive on our noodle juice.
Do your car a favor if its European or Japanese... feed it the syrup its makers intended.
d3a 6:25PM (4/17/2008)
This is the way I look at it. The $.20 difference between regular and premium back when gas was $1.50 a gallon was about 11%. Now, with gas being about $3.89 for regular, and $4.09 for premium, that differnce is only about 5%. you technically get more 'bang for your buck'
I drive a 325i and I only put in premium fuel from Chevron. At my nearest Chevron station today it was $4.09. Regular was $3.89. If i run on regular I only get 17mpg, and if I run on regular I get about 20 mpg.
Therefore, on regular unleaded it costs me about 22.8 cents per mile. On premium fuel it costs me about 20.4 cents per mile
Dave 9:12AM (4/18/2008)
Most cars adjust the timing accordingly, not just BMW.
inteller 4:11PM (4/17/2008)
I blame laziness. The "hillbilly tuneups" need to stop. Make better engines, like the Duratec 35 that cranks out 265hp AND runs on regular.
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Ask yourself, when you are out in the back country with your Land Rover, where are you going to find Premium?
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Rocketboy 4:14PM (4/17/2008)
Higher compression engine = Hillbilly Tuned?
Way of the Future 4:12PM (4/17/2008)
ummmm try that in a twin turbo 6 cylinder 3 series, and see what happens!
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Patrick 5:47PM (4/17/2008)
I have in my 335i coupe, and nothing happens except lower gas mileage and reduced performance
MikeW 7:05PM (4/17/2008)
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/3series/coupe/2006/allfacts/_shared/pdf/3series_coupe_datasheet.pdf?download=true
See page 6, note #3.
So use US mid-grade at a minimum
Christobevii3 4:24PM (4/17/2008)
I thought that was nitrous on the hillbilly tuneup...
Steven 4:16PM (4/17/2008)
"the most expensive gasoline at the pump (except maybe diesel)."
Diesel ain't gas!
I think autoblog purposely flubs just to get more attention.
Argh! I keep falling for it!
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inteller 4:18PM (4/17/2008)
this was copied almost verbatim from USA Today so I wouldn't blame Autoblog. I read this several days ago in print.
Michael Harley 6:18PM (4/17/2008)
Good eye - just testing you (I corrected it).
Verbatim? Not even close... check out the USA article for yourself.
- Mike
YouFaceTheTick 4:23PM (4/17/2008)
I get a big laugh when I see or hear of people putting regular in a car the requires premium. With regular at 3.79, there's an almost negligible difference percentage-wise and regular, even if it only hits a car for 1 mpg less, pretty much cancels the savings.
If you BMW gets 23 mpg with premium and 22 mpg with regular, you're saving...
16 gallons * $3.99 per gallon premium = $63.84 for a 368 mile range at 23 mpg.
To get 368 miles with regular, you'd need 16.73 gallons (*$3.79 per gallon = $63.40).
Wow a 40 cent savings!!!
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jgp 4:27PM (4/17/2008)
Where the hell do you live that regular is $3.79/gal?
Here, it's around $3.29/gal.
Todd 4:35PM (4/17/2008)
Math looks a little fuzzy
Premium is fifty cents a gallon more expensive where I live. 16 gallons of regular at 3.30 a gallon is $52.80
16 gallons of premium at $3.80 a gallon is $60.80
That's $8.00 bucks a week, times 52 weeks a year for a $416.00 difference. You are spending $416.00 a year for nothing, requiring premium unleaded is not necessary.
MUSASHI66 4:39PM (4/17/2008)
Where do you live if premium is that much more expenisve? In Denver, it is around 10 cents more per gallon of midgrade, or some 20 cents more than regular.