I love my car...but premium gas, etc.

[C1]

This topic came up on a radio talk show the other day.

Just use a regular gas that is of high(er) ethanol content (ie, a high ethanol content regular blend gasoline fuel).

 

[Ns1]

if I got a Prius I would never be able to get my man card back.

I had a lot of Civics before this

 

[deadlyapp]

This topic came up on a radio talk show the other day.

Just use a regular gas that is of high(er) ethanol content (ie, a high ethanol content regular blend gasoline fuel).

Uhhh I think this is a pretty poor recommendation. High ethanol content gasoline has less energy by volume so you'd need more volume for similar power and your mileage would actually probably go down (although high ethanol content gasoline is less expensive). In addition to this, the seals and gaskets in the fuel pump, fuel lines, etc may not be suitable for high ethanol content, and may fail prematurely. Yes, pure ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline, something like 105 for E85, but unless you want to modify your entire fuel delivery system, then it's not suitable for most people.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Al you have read in all the other forums, Keep putting the correct gas in!

Some infiniti models "recommend" premium gas.
Some infiniti models "require" premium gas.

Putting regular gas probably wont cause damage, the knock sensor should retard the timing, but, you will lose power, and the engine wont run optimally.

IMO Keep the car until 200K miles.

 

[Herr Kutz]

WHere do you guys live where premium is only 20 cents more than regular? Every gas station in my area sells midgrade for 20-30 cents more than 87 and a further 20-30 cents more than that to step up to premium. Percentage wise that is a huge difference over 87.

 

[Ns1]

WHere do you guys live where premium is only 20 cents more than regular? Every gas station in my area sells midgrade for 20-30 cents more than 87 and a further 20-30 cents more than that to step up to premium. Percentage wise that is a huge difference over 87.

costco and the cheaper gas stations have a 20 cent differential between 87 and 91, non-cheap have a 30 cent differential. At least that's the trend I've noticed in LA since the late 90's.

a 40-60 cent differential between 87 and 91 is wtf?

 

[Herr Kutz]

costco and the cheaper gas stations have a 20 cent differential between 87 and 91, non-cheap have a 30 cent differential. At least that's the trend I've noticed in LA since the late 90's.

a 40-60 cent differential between 87 and 91 is wtf?

That must be a very localized rate. I just checked several gas stations around the country and they all followed 20-30+ cents between each grade. The only slight outlier is 2 costcos. 1 in NJ had a 47 cent span between regular range which is in your omfgwtfbbq range. One in California had a 34 cent difference. So costcos have slightly better rates, but every other gas station in this country seems to follow formula of the 40-60+ cents per over regular.


https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_a.htm

 

[XavierMace]

costco and the cheaper gas stations have a 20 cent differential between 87 and 91, non-cheap have a 30 cent differential. At least that's the trend I've noticed in LA since the late 90's.

a 40-60 cent differential between 87 and 91 is wtf?

Yeah, it's normally 20-30 cents per grade, but 87 to 91 is normally two grades.

 

[Ns1]

Typical example

 

[XavierMace]

Define "typical". Seems like California is the odd man out as from what I've seen the 20 cents per grade is normal.

Also, I must say that's yet another reason I have no interest in living in CA. That's $1/gal more than out here. LOL.

 

[Ns1]

yes CA, and yes our gas taxes are crazy (they just got bumped up to pay for road repairs).

 

[Herr Kutz]

Define "typical". Seems like California is the odd man out as from what I've seen the 20 cents per grade is normal.

Also, I must say that's yet another reason I have no interest in living in CA. That's $1/gal more than out here. LOL.

For 2017, the national average of gas has been:

Regular: $2.415
Midgrade: $2.682
Premium: $2.917

Delta:
Regular->Midgrade: $0.267
Midgrade->Premium: $0.235
Regular->Midgrade: $0.502

Source:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_a.htm

 

[XavierMace]

For 2017, the national average of gas has been:

Regular: $2.415
Midgrade: $2.682
Premium: $2.917

Delta:
Regular->Midgrade: $0.267
Midgrade->Premium: $0.235
Regular->Midgrade: $0.502

Source:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_a.htm

Not sure why you quoted me since I was saying the same 20 cents as you.

 

[Ns1]

Maybe it's a west coast thing? Here's Vegas:

 

[evident]

keep the car

 

[HarryLui]

I converted my 350whp Omni to E54, cost $1.99 a gallon and I tuned my car to get between 22-27mpg depends on how I drive it.

My communter gas only insight gets between 55mpg and 72mpg.

My "man card" is vehicle independent.

 

[TridenT]

My car requires premium fuel and gets about 12 MPG. I haven't had to put gas in it for over two months. Saves me a bit of money that way.

Same methodology here.

I just try to drive mine less when I can. Cost of gas and everything else with this car adds up fast.

 

[WhiteNoise]

Is it written in the dash to only use premium? If it doesn't, I would just put regular.

My Wife drives an Infiniti FX35 and the manual states 89 octane not 91. I bet the OP can get away with 89 for sure. When it comes to gas I just don't worry about it. I have no choice but to commute 100 miles round trip to work M-F.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Ethanol would probably destroy mileage. It probably doesn't require premium, but I doubt it's too big of a difference either.

I'd keep the car too though. That car for under $10k is nice.