Thread: Regular/Mid/Premium...What's the Diff?

Originally Posted by CoupeGuy

Excellent Technical Dissertation as usual Snoopy!
I decided to test your assertions. First, it took a few
tanks to completely bring the octane level up to 93...
I did notice a difference in mileage and acceleration...
I do mostly high speed daily driving on a one way 30 mile commute,
travelling between 70 and 80 mph depending on traffic conditions...
sometimes the commute goes 80 miles...my best mileage with 87 octane was
25.4....with 93 octane, it is 27.9....no, it doesn't pay for the
difference in price at the pump (@20 cents/gal.) but I found
it to be an interesting if unexpected improvement....
as far as acceleration, that's much harder to measure without
a timing device, and it wouldn't be world shattering anyway,
but I have noticed a difference...not like hooking
up a bottle of nitrous, but there is definitely something more there...
All in all, my honey likes the top shelf gas, so I think I'll keep feeding
it to her....after all, she's my baby....

on really good days I get about 28-29mpg, but I've got the 2.0, and like I said, turbo's like higher octane. But thats still no where near what EPA claims, 35mpg highway.
For me, the added fuel economy, peppier car, and knowing that there is no ethanol in it, I'll pay the premium.

@Casey
the reason you're getting worse fuel economy with premium is you're pushing it harder and enjoying the quicker response :P
haha I actually don't know, could be anything.