My thought is that a respected automotive magazine went through the trouble of testing several cars that represented a broad spectrum of engine types, including pressurized, non-pressurized, high performance and regular duty people mover-types. One purpose of their testing was to answer the very question Linda asked, 'Does one NEED to use premium, or can you get away with a lower grade?"..To paraphrase Car & Driver's conclusion: if it detonates don't use the cheaper gas, go back to the premium...if you are willing to trade off approx. 10% of your performance to save a similar percentage at the pump...then go for it. No they may not have taken into account altitude and ambient temperature for their 'study' but I still believe they provide useful, and if not scientific, at least very strong anecdotal evidence that people who wish to save a buck can do so with very little risk of damaging their engines. Yes, drivers who make this choice need to pay attention for the knocking that is associated with detonation, and yes their performance does suffer...but going back to Linda's question, I think she can feel comfortable trying out the lower octane gas without substantial risk. Particularly when you read how positively Car & Driver described the Trionic software's ability to compensate for the lower octane. If you are curious, I recommend you go the magazine's website and do a search under OCTANE and read the article that I have quoted. No, maybe it doesn't put the subject to bed forever - for you...It does for me.

posted by 68.83.1...

• I know some of you may groan..., Linda , Wed, 10 Jul 2002 15:23:55
  • Use (unobtainable) 91 octane, Bevan, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 13:50:22
    • It depends where you live, Bob M, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 18:20:44
    • Re: Use (unobtainable) 91 octane, Stan, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 15:40:29
      • OK use mostly obtainable 93., Bevan, Fri, 12 Jul 2002 11:00:16
  • I'm a lucky dog . . ., MJP, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 09:58:17
    • Love Sunoco - Ultra 94!! Whoosh! n/m, Sieglo, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 12:32:28
  • Re: I know some of you may groan..., BrooksG, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 17:09:54
    • Re: I know some of you may groan..., Paul , Wed, 10 Jul 2002 21:25:18
    • Detonation depends on many parameters,, roberto, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 19:43:29
      • Re: Detonation depends on many parameters,, Linda , Thu, 11 Jul 2002 09:07:23
  • Oh Linda . . ., MJP, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 15:58:25
    • Re: Oh Linda . . ., DS, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 00:50:48
      • But why spend money when you don't have to?, Bob M, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 18:24:20
      • Re: Oh Linda . . ., Linda , Thu, 11 Jul 2002 09:05:11
  • Octane, Kevin8tor, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 15:45:53
    • But what does that really mean?, Cheapskate, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 20:01:10
      • What it really means..., russdog, Sat, 13 Jul 2002 02:48:15
      • What it really means..., russdog, Sat, 13 Jul 2002 02:47:31
    • answers the question for everybody, forever...?, Aero'ed, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 18:51:24
      • Don't make it too complicated..., Kevin8tor, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 20:47:07 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Don't make it too complicated..., Kevin8tor, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 20:25:58
  • Re: I know some of you may groan..., Ed NC, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 15:43:16

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