Switching to regular grade fuel
10-31-2015, 09:57 PM
#21
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Just so you'll really know the difference, figure out what you'll be saving on a monthly basis.
Many/most regular gas costs 30 cents-40 cents less per gallon. Let's say you get 23 mpg on premium over the entire year's driving, and assume you get the same on regular which you may or may not. Even if you drive 1,000 miles per month (some will do more, many will do less), that's 12,000 miles per year. Pick a number for regular gas cost per gallon, say, $2.10; then, per the above say 35 cents more for premium, or $2.45 per gallon.
So, here it is:
12,000 miles per year divided by 23 mpg = 522 gal. used
522 X $2.35 per gal. premium = $1,226 per year Premium gas
522 X $2.10 per gal regular = $1,096 per year Regular gas
$1,226-$1,096 = $130 per year saved.
That works out to $10.81 per month saved. It's your decision to see if it's worth it.
You can work it out on just a month's worth of miles, too.
And if you don't know your mpg (miles per gallon) just take your total dollars spent for a year, or a month and divide by total gallons bought. For a month, say, $1,000 divided by 43 gal. That equals 23 mpg.
Fill in your own numbers.
PS If my math is off, I know I'll be told.
Many/most regular gas costs 30 cents-40 cents less per gallon. Let's say you get 23 mpg on premium over the entire year's driving, and assume you get the same on regular which you may or may not. Even if you drive 1,000 miles per month (some will do more, many will do less), that's 12,000 miles per year. Pick a number for regular gas cost per gallon, say, $2.10; then, per the above say 35 cents more for premium, or $2.45 per gallon.
So, here it is:
12,000 miles per year divided by 23 mpg = 522 gal. used
522 X $2.35 per gal. premium = $1,226 per year Premium gas
522 X $2.10 per gal regular = $1,096 per year Regular gas
$1,226-$1,096 = $130 per year saved.
That works out to $10.81 per month saved. It's your decision to see if it's worth it.
You can work it out on just a month's worth of miles, too.
And if you don't know your mpg (miles per gallon) just take your total dollars spent for a year, or a month and divide by total gallons bought. For a month, say, $1,000 divided by 43 gal. That equals 23 mpg.
Fill in your own numbers.
PS If my math is off, I know I'll be told.
With with 11.5 comp to the OP here hope you dont get into any WOT at all r much your motor will tell you about it if you do... Robert
10-31-2015, 10:35 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
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Just so you'll really know the difference, figure out what you'll be saving on a monthly basis.
Many/most regular gas costs 30 cents-40 cents less per gallon. Let's say you get 23 mpg on premium over the entire year's driving, and assume you get the same on regular which you may or may not. Even if you drive 1,000 miles per month (some will do more, many will do less), that's 12,000 miles per year. Pick a number for regular gas cost per gallon, say, $2.10; then, per the above say 35 cents more for premium, or $2.45 per gallon.
So, here it is:
12,000 miles per year divided by 23 mpg = 522 gal. used
522 X $2.35 per gal. premium = $1,226 per year Premium gas
522 X $2.10 per gal regular = $1,096 per year Regular gas
$1,226-$1,096 = $130 per year saved.
That works out to $10.81 per month saved. It's your decision to see if it's worth it.
You can work it out on just a month's worth of miles, too.
And if you don't know your mpg (miles per gallon) just take your total dollars spent for a year, or a month and divide by total gallons bought. For a month, say, $1,000 divided by 43 gal. That equals 23 mpg.
Fill in your own numbers.
PS If my math is off, I know I'll be told.
Many/most regular gas costs 30 cents-40 cents less per gallon. Let's say you get 23 mpg on premium over the entire year's driving, and assume you get the same on regular which you may or may not. Even if you drive 1,000 miles per month (some will do more, many will do less), that's 12,000 miles per year. Pick a number for regular gas cost per gallon, say, $2.10; then, per the above say 35 cents more for premium, or $2.45 per gallon.
So, here it is:
12,000 miles per year divided by 23 mpg = 522 gal. used
522 X $2.35 per gal. premium = $1,226 per year Premium gas
522 X $2.10 per gal regular = $1,096 per year Regular gas
$1,226-$1,096 = $130 per year saved.
That works out to $10.81 per month saved. It's your decision to see if it's worth it.
You can work it out on just a month's worth of miles, too.
And if you don't know your mpg (miles per gallon) just take your total dollars spent for a year, or a month and divide by total gallons bought. For a month, say, $1,000 divided by 43 gal. That equals 23 mpg.
Fill in your own numbers.
PS If my math is off, I know I'll be told.
The difference is 60 cents or more in Chicagoland, regular to premium.
10-31-2015, 10:40 PM
#23
Le Mans Master
10-31-2015, 10:51 PM
#24
Drifting
Respectfully, if the difference in cost of gas from Regular to Premium is a concern, you should be buying a Prius. The manufacturer recommends the higher octane for a reason. I live in a state where gas prices are higher than most states, and I still use premium in my Corvette which is my daily driver. I would not consider anything less for this car.
Just my humble opinion...
Just my humble opinion...
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Bowmanr1 (11-01-2015)
10-31-2015, 11:26 PM
#26
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Here premium is at least $0.50/gallon higher than regular, but I'll keep pumping it in my car to ensure I get the best performance from the car.
10-31-2015, 11:28 PM
#27
Le Mans Master
The engine management systems may be able to compensate for lower octane and prevent knocking by backing off the timing, but don't think you would be making the same horsepower then.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; 10-31-2015 at 11:30 PM.
10-31-2015, 11:54 PM
#28
Pro
The horsepower measurement in the video is that which is needed to drive the dyno at 50km/hr. It is not the horsepower the engine is capable of making on the different fuels.
Relying upon the recommendation of an attendant at a gas station for grade of fuel is like letting the oil change teenager at a dealership clean the valves on your Corvette.
This was a silly video and I wasted over 20 minutes watching it.
Relying upon the recommendation of an attendant at a gas station for grade of fuel is like letting the oil change teenager at a dealership clean the valves on your Corvette.
This was a silly video and I wasted over 20 minutes watching it.
11-01-2015, 12:07 AM
#29
Pro
11-01-2015, 01:28 AM
#30
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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The 11.5:1 is very high IF you put your foot to the floor but if never more than 1/2 throttle and drive an automatic than you're only compressing a partially filled cylinder so no ping! I added the automatic since it will not allow you to lug the engine where with a standard shift you could. Reading some of the forum posts appears there are a number who never use full throttle and as you say, "drive like an old dying man!" For some of us old guys (I'm 73) that's not the case so I always use 93 octane!
Last edited by JerryU; 11-01-2015 at 01:33 AM.
11-01-2015, 03:37 AM
#31
Safety Car
I can't believe any rational person would consider doing this and I am not concerned about a reduction in HP. You will ruin your engine at your expense, as GM will not cover the repair under warranty.
There are stupid people everywhere and the Corvette forum has no shortage of them. If you are concerned about the cost of fuel, don't drive your Corvette, push it around. Your fuel cost will be zero, you will get much stronger, but you will need more human fuel.
There are stupid people everywhere and the Corvette forum has no shortage of them. If you are concerned about the cost of fuel, don't drive your Corvette, push it around. Your fuel cost will be zero, you will get much stronger, but you will need more human fuel.
11-01-2015, 05:53 AM
#32
Racer
Car absolutely will knock with low octane fuel under load. If you leased your car and don't care about its long term health, then I guess OK. Feel sorry for whoever ends up with it and knocking does serious damage to an engine. If you own your car and are keeping it long term, don't be cheap. Cost to replace the engine will far outweigh the minimal gas savings.
11-01-2015, 06:45 AM
#33
Team Owner
It depends on the car. One size does not fit all. My C6 Z06 requires 91 and 93 is recommended. I have never put anything lower in it, but I bet that 87 would really hurt performance(and I paid plenty to get that additional performance over an Impala which is designed to run on 87), and there is a chance I could damge the engine doing WOT runs with 87 in the tank.
My Mercedes requires premium and I can say first hand that running anything less than 91 definitely hurts it's performance. It has a factory supercharger, and the computer will not let the supercharger engage if the knock sensors hear knocking. Put 87 in it and then pull out to pass that slow car with a short passing space and see what happens when you expect the supercharger to provide the extra horsepower to accelerate you past the slow moving car, only to find out that you don't have that extra horsepower available.
Mercedes does that to prevent damage to the engine from detonation if you put non premium gas in the car trying to save a few dollars.
Oh, and my Mercedes is a normal 4 door sedan(my daily driver), not a "high" performance sports car like my C6 Z06(my fun car). Why do people want to second guess the engineers that designed their car? If the car manufacture says your car requires 87, run 87, but if they say it requires premium, run premium.
After saying that I really do like the people that have cars that are designed to run on regular and fill them up with premium as it means the premium gas in my dealer's tanks will be fresher due to higher turnover, and the increased volume of premium sales means my dealer is more likely to keep offering premium gas(especially my dealer that sells 93 octane ethanol free gas, at a higher price over E10 premium).
My Mercedes requires premium and I can say first hand that running anything less than 91 definitely hurts it's performance. It has a factory supercharger, and the computer will not let the supercharger engage if the knock sensors hear knocking. Put 87 in it and then pull out to pass that slow car with a short passing space and see what happens when you expect the supercharger to provide the extra horsepower to accelerate you past the slow moving car, only to find out that you don't have that extra horsepower available.
Mercedes does that to prevent damage to the engine from detonation if you put non premium gas in the car trying to save a few dollars.
Oh, and my Mercedes is a normal 4 door sedan(my daily driver), not a "high" performance sports car like my C6 Z06(my fun car). Why do people want to second guess the engineers that designed their car? If the car manufacture says your car requires 87, run 87, but if they say it requires premium, run premium.
After saying that I really do like the people that have cars that are designed to run on regular and fill them up with premium as it means the premium gas in my dealer's tanks will be fresher due to higher turnover, and the increased volume of premium sales means my dealer is more likely to keep offering premium gas(especially my dealer that sells 93 octane ethanol free gas, at a higher price over E10 premium).
Last edited by JoesC5; 11-01-2015 at 07:02 AM.
11-01-2015, 07:09 AM
#34
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I believe the whole point of video is that if your car's manufacturer says your car is designed to run on "Regular" putting "High Test" in it is a waste of money. A waste that the petroleum companies encourage with false and misleading advertisements because of the higher profit margin with 'High Test".
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; 11-01-2015 at 07:11 AM.
11-01-2015, 07:12 AM
#35
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"In honor of jpee"
Not to belabor the point, but even at 60 cents per gallon more, in a month that means using 1,000 miles per month and all other numbers staying the same, an owner is looking at $26 per month saved by using regular gas. Not to minimize the dollars but that is $6.50 a week. Again, the owner has to make the decision.
Last edited by AORoads; 11-01-2015 at 07:13 AM.
11-01-2015, 08:01 AM
#36
In addition to using regular grade our foolish economy minded C7 owner could also switch to S or lower speed rated tires when replacement is needed and use a lower quality of motor oil all in the name of saving money since the car performance won't be used.
Unless you always plan to drive like there is a thin shelled raw egg between your right foot and the accelerator pedal then use the fuel that the designers recommend.
Buying a C7 and then trying to save money running it on low grade reminds me of a guy I knew in high school. He worked all of one summer to buy a "kick ***" stereo system and after spending all of his money on hardware he couldn't afford to buy any records to play with his new system-yes this was back when vinyl was king.
Unless you always plan to drive like there is a thin shelled raw egg between your right foot and the accelerator pedal then use the fuel that the designers recommend.
Buying a C7 and then trying to save money running it on low grade reminds me of a guy I knew in high school. He worked all of one summer to buy a "kick ***" stereo system and after spending all of his money on hardware he couldn't afford to buy any records to play with his new system-yes this was back when vinyl was king.
11-01-2015, 09:16 AM
#37
Pro
Interesting discussion for the owners of the Cruze used for testing in the video. But not so relevant to a Corvette. Both the Canadian and US Government recommendations boiled down to "use what your owner's manual says" and our manual says 91+.
That said, I do run into people all the time that think their Cruze or Civic or whatever is going to somehow run better on premium gas and they won't listen to any words to the contrary.
PS: In the US (at least where I live) we don't have a lot of people standing at the pumps pumping gas for us or recommending what fuel we should buy. From the video it seems like this must be common in Canada? I'll let our Canadian friends enlighten me on that one. But on the ladder of automotive knowledge, where do you suppose the guy standing at the pump falls? Why would people believe that that person is some fountain of knowledge on their cars and what fuel they should buy? Ditto with the convenience store clerks they interviewed. No offense, these folks are just doing a job but keep in mind they are essentially retail sales people who will, at best, push whatever their employer wants them to or at worst, give their own opinion which is just as misguided as most of their customers.
That said, I do run into people all the time that think their Cruze or Civic or whatever is going to somehow run better on premium gas and they won't listen to any words to the contrary.
PS: In the US (at least where I live) we don't have a lot of people standing at the pumps pumping gas for us or recommending what fuel we should buy. From the video it seems like this must be common in Canada? I'll let our Canadian friends enlighten me on that one. But on the ladder of automotive knowledge, where do you suppose the guy standing at the pump falls? Why would people believe that that person is some fountain of knowledge on their cars and what fuel they should buy? Ditto with the convenience store clerks they interviewed. No offense, these folks are just doing a job but keep in mind they are essentially retail sales people who will, at best, push whatever their employer wants them to or at worst, give their own opinion which is just as misguided as most of their customers.
Last edited by ratman6161; 11-01-2015 at 09:26 AM.
11-01-2015, 09:23 AM
#38
Melting Slicks
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In a $60K plus automobile, trying to savie approx $5 per tank fill up doesn't make sense to me; considering GM recommends you use minimum 91 Octane Top Tier fuel in he car.
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Bowmanr1 (11-01-2015)
11-01-2015, 09:35 AM
#39
Team Owner
If one is knucklehead enough to put high octane fuel in a car that isn't designed for it then yes,they are getting ripped of..by themselves! If the car isn't designed for it it won't break down correctly and you'll get lousy economy. I do not put high octane in the LINCOLN,THE JEEP or the NISSAN.Not necessary.
11-01-2015, 09:46 AM
#40
Melting Slicks
Want to use regular in other than an emergency? Go buy a used Kia. Don