Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

[DonnRic]

I'm using premium grade fuel but my fuel checkbook is turning blue with strangulation from the high prices. How bad is it going to affect my bird if I go to regular or mid grade fuel?

[DaiUyTed]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I'm fortunate in that the cheapest gas station (a Sunoco) in our county is three blocks away, and is one of the rare ones that offers 91 octane as well as 93. At two cents cheaper, I use it. But, while my 'Bird is my daily driver, I still only put about 6k miles a year on it, so the pain isn't too bad. If I were still doing three times that, I might listen to those who say regular won't hurt; just slightly affects the power.

p.s. Did you really intend that the results of the poll should be hidden?

[007Cruiser]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I only use premium in the bird. Having said that, I used regular instead of premium in my Cadillac for 76,000 miles with no adverse effect. Our terrain is mostly flat here. If I lived in a mountainous area, I would stick with premium.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

Premium all the way! At least 91 octane! That said I wish I could figure out how Hyundai gets 276HP out of a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that uses regular and puts a 100,000 mile warranty on it.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

There's more to consider than just octane rating.

http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html

[Markies]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

With a compression ratio of 10.75 to 1, I'm staying with high octane.

[jerrym3]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I have four cars, three of which require premium (retro, Lincoln LS8, Galaxie 390/300). Only my 94 Tbird 4.6 takes regular.

But, now that I'm retired, I fill the 94 TBird once every three weeks, and the Galaxie and retro every 5/6/7 weeks.

The LS is my wife's car, but most of her drives are to local stores.

When I think that, when I worked, my last three jobs required round trip commutes of 70 miles (17 years), 80 miles (1 year), and 55 miles (10 years), I'm very glad to be retired.

But, then again, my annual income was much higher.

[maskedman]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

When I purchased my 05 in 2010 the dealer i bought ot from did me a "favor" and filled the tank with regular. It knocked like crazy. With 91 octane which is all I can get when I'm in upper Michigan in the summer, I get a slight knock under certain conditions.

[fums6]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I was in a pinch and had to fill with regular. The car ran terrible. Sluggish and no pickup whatsoever. I have used 89 octane a time or two but my bird requires premium to run properly.

[Randall]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I use BP Prem. in the bird. Runs great. I put the silver in the Caddy which should be Prem. too It run ok but I can tell the difference when I put prem. in it... The Caddy has a Northstar motor in it. It really calls for prem. 55,000 miles on it.... Our Prem. in Chas. Sc is $3.99 per gal.

[DudleyM]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

We alternate premium and regular. Haven't experienced any problems.

[Sumerbird]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

I use premium.

[Monte]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

Always use premium, first was regular and every light on the dash lit up had to go back to the dealer to remove all the codes. Love the car so use the best.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

Here in my town we can buy ethanol FREE gas. They offer 87, 89 & 91 octane. The cost per gallon varies from week to week, on April 9th I paid $4.40/gal for 91 octane ethanol free.

[DKest3963]

Re: Who's using regular fuel vs premium fuel?

Hi all
We have 2003 and 2005 retro birds. Have used 91 or 93 fuel since we bought them new. We have garage queens, so the little more it costs does not bother much. Have never had a problem with cops or other codes on computer, just a needed new battery on the 2003. Lasted 9 years. I think these cars should run on premium because of the compression.
Dennis