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Fuel Economy

Is regular-grade gasoline just as good as premium gas for your car?

Results so far:

Yes
57% 307 votes Total: 540 votes
No
43% 233 votes

From the reports I've seen over the last ten years or so it has been established that most cars now days are designed to run on regular grade fuels. I do agree that if your vehicle states that premium is required then by all means use it. But what I've also noticed is that most of the vehicles that require it are either larger luxury cars, trucks over a 1/2 ton, and SUV's. Most all of these vehicles have V8's in them. Most of us don't have, need or require these vehicles. I've seen other people say that their vehicles run better, longer and require less maintenance using premium grade fuel. They also state that the fuel mileage increase and lower maintenance costs are better in the long run, this was counting a couple trips to get fuel injectors cleaned also at approximately $50.00 each on like vehicles using regular. As far as the fuel mileage goes the reports only show an average increase of about 1%, which boils down to 1-2 mpg in most cases.

Now in my experience I've always run regular grade fuel in my truck, which is a V6, and I put a fuel injector cleaner in about every 4-5 tanks, my vehicle has never been in the shop for a fuel related problem and depending on the brand I've gotten as much as a 3 mpg increase. So the way I see it is like this, if you get 35 mpg and drive 15,000 miles a year but your paying 20-30 cents a gallon more, then I would say that I'm saving more in the long run. A good fuel additive costs about $5.00 to $8.00 and treats around 120 gallons of fuel. In my truck that would last about 40 tanks. At 15,000 miles a year that's right at 1.5 years, in the same period you would spend $100.00 or more just in the cost difference between the two fuel grades. So I think I'll stay with the regular and the fuel treatment.

Learn more about this author, Joe Martin.
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Is regular-grade gasoline just as good as premium gas for your car?

Yes
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    by James Dreamer

    Is Regular Grade Gasoline Just as Good as Premium Gas for Your Car? This question cannot be answered categorically...read more

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No
  • 1 of 12

    by Richard Saare

    Is Regular Gasoline the same as Premium gas for your car, NO! Regular Gasoline has and always will have a lowe...read more

  • 2 of 12

    by Roger Fullerton

    This is one of those "it depends" questions. Most automobiles sold today are designed to use regular (85-87) octane ...read more

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