OT - Gas, which grade do you use?

[geneticrex]

thats what I feel, if I drove 50 miles each way I'd think premium would be worth it but my 4k a year isnt worth it... dont see the need and the impact it wout have on the engine.

Has there been any studies to show the huge difference if any?

Without penning a novel, octane slows the burn rate. The specific gravity of fuel, is also key factor. An engine that doesn't require a higher octane number is not only wasting money if higher octane fuel is used, but also hampers chamber efficiency. Lose/lose.

'Alky', while being the choice of certain classes of race engine, is very low in energy content and therefore has very low stoichiometric ratio compared to gasoline. This is why mileage suffer with 'corn'. It is a cool burning fuel especially due to volume and can produce impressive power in an engine designed to take advantage of it properties, but it requires more than a x2 air/fuel ratio. One would need a LARGE tank to travel equal distances to gasoline, plus.............there are corrosive issues that accompany it's use. Among other drawbacks.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I buy regular, except in New Mexico, where "regular" is 86 octane. So I usually go up to the mid-grade.

Except on trips we don't drive many miles, in fact my Subaru Outback that we got in November is just now due its first oil change.

 

[MilfordHusky]

93 octane in an Acura TL.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I buy regular, except in New Mexico, where "regular" is 86 octane. So I usually go up to the mid-grade.

Except on trips we don't drive many miles, in fact my Subaru Outback that we got in November is just now due its first oil change.

I can do an oil change once a year... I think I've had 3 from the time I got my recent car back in 2012

I dont do the every 3000 miles thingy neither... I do it after 5-7K miles or when the "service light comes on"

 

[DaddyChoc]

Without penning a novel, octane slows the burn rate. The specific gravity of fuel, is also key factor. An engine that doesn't require a higher octane number is not only wasting money if higher octane fuel is used, but also hampers chamber efficiency. Lose/lose.

'Alky', while being the choice of certain classes of race engine, is very low in energy content and therefore has very low stoichiometric ratio compared to gasoline. This is why mileage suffer with 'corn'. It is a cool burning fuel especially due to volume and can produce impressive power in an engine designed to take advantage of it properties, but it requires more than a x2 air/fuel ratio. One would need a LARGE tank to travel equal distances to gasoline, plus...there are corrosive issues that accompany it's use. Among other drawbacks.

seems like you know your stuff... so all that 93 stuff is just a waste?

thanks

 

[geneticrex]

I can do an oil change once a year... I think I've had 3 from the time I got my recent car back in 2012

I dont do the every 3000 miles thingy neither... I do it after 5-7K miles or when the "service light comes on"

3000 mile oil change intervals are mainly a thing of the past in today's passenger vehicles.

Modern engine building techniques and materials (even assembly line), combined with fuel injection (very important factor) and improved additive packages in the oil itself, have rendered the 3000mi change..............overkill. It doesn't hurt, but it's a waste of money, especially if a good synthetic oil and quality filter are used.

 

[DaddyChoc]

3000 mile oil change intervals are mainly a thing of the past in today's passenger vehicles.

Modern engine building techniques and materials (even assembly line), combined with fuel injection (very important factor) and improved additive packages in the oil itself, have rendered the 3000mi change....overkill. It doesn't hurt, but it's a waste of money, especially if a good synthetic oil and quality filter are used.

yup, I think a lot of that stuff is from atleast the 80's and before

 

[geneticrex]

seems like you know your stuff... so all that 93 stuff is just a waste?

thanks

Whatever an engine doesn't require, is not only a waste, but can actually hinder performance. Same thing in the other direction.

Some people try to get away with a grade of fuel that is less than an engine needs. In today's computer controlled environment, the knock sensors will alert the 'brain' to pull timing. This will also hamper performance and mpg.

 

[geneticrex]

yup, I think a lot of that stuff is from atleast the 80's and before

You wouldn't believe how important proper fuel metering is in keeping contaminants out of the crankcase. This is why fuel injected engines can operate with longer oil change intervals.

 

[arty155]

... all my gas stops are timed and carefully calculated

... meanwhile, at the other extreme, some people just go with the flow.

 

[Bestiarius]

I only buy cars that require regular gas. That's why I passed on the Ferrari 250 GTO.

When my wife had her Volvo, she bought the recommended grade of fuel, but thought oil changes were a gimmick. I complained vociferously when she'd go 50,000 miles or more between changes. I must admit, however, that I had to pipe-down when she hit 225,000 miles without any engine issues and the young'un she gifted the car to, drove it for several more years.

In the 1960's, I had occasion to be in Bayonne (I think) NJ. The size of the oil refineries there (and the odor) were impressive. One thing that struck me however, was to see tanker trucks sporting the logos of many gas brands all pulling up to the same pump to take on a load. Never saw Exxon, (Esso back then) trucks there, but that was about the only one missing.

 

[DaddyChoc]

... meanwhile, at the other extreme, some people just go with the flow.
View attachment 12759

she is now...

 

[DaddyChoc]

I only buy cars that require regular gas. That's why I passed on the Ferrari 250 GTO.

When my wife had her Volvo, she bought the recommended grade of fuel, but thought oil changes were a gimmick. I complained vociferously when she'd go 50,000 miles or more between changes. I must admit, however, that I had to pipe-down when she hit 225,000 miles without any engine issues and the young'un she gifted the car to, drove it for several more years.

In the 1960's, I had occasion to be in Bayonne (I think) NJ. The size of the oil refineries there (and the odor) were impressive. One thing that struck me however, was to see tanker trucks sporting the logos of many gas brands all pulling up to the same pump to take on a load. Never saw Exxon, (Esso back then) trucks there, but that was about the only one missing.

Jersey the home of "Full Service"... I love when people from NJ come to Connecticut and sit in their cars waiting for a pimple-face teen to come out and fill them up

 

[DaddyChoc]

I only buy cars that require regular gas. That's why I passed on the Ferrari 250 GTO.

When my wife had her Volvo, she bought the recommended grade of fuel, but thought oil changes were a gimmick. I complained vociferously when she'd go 50,000 miles or more between changes. I must admit, however, that I had to pipe-down when she hit 225,000 miles without any engine issues and the young'un she gifted the car to, drove it for several more years.

In the 1960's, I had occasion to be in Bayonne (I think) NJ. The size of the oil refineries there (and the odor) were impressive. One thing that struck me however, was to see tanker trucks sporting the logos of many gas brands all pulling up to the same pump to take on a load. Never saw Exxon, (Esso back then) trucks there, but that was about the only one missing.

I never heard of Esso until you just mentioned it and after I was googling around for "on the run".

 

[vtcwbuff]

"3000 mile oil change intervals are mainly a thing of the past in today's passenger vehicles."

My oil changes were always at the interval recommended by the mfg. Oil change places always recommend 3000 miles. I don't know if that was t sell more product if because their oil was inferior. Now my car (2015 Grand Cherokee) tells me when the oil is due for a change. Last time it was at 9000 miles.

 

[Frodo]

93 or 91, whichever is available, but never lower for, both my BMW roadster and my wife's Audi...just because the manufacturer recommends it.

 

[Adesmar123]

I use the station that has the biggest sign. We all know - Big Sign = Good performance.

 

[DaddyChoc]

which brand, Mobil or Sunoco or it does it matter? doesn't matter to me

 

[geneticrex]

"3000 mile oil change intervals are mainly a thing of the past in today's passenger vehicles."

My oil changes were always at the interval recommended by the mfg. Oil change places always recommend 3000 miles. I don't know if that was t sell more product if because their oil was inferior. Now my car (2015 Grand Cherokee) tells me when the oil is due for a change. Last time it was at 9000 miles.

3000mi changes are still recommended by a number of shops, but that has more to do with repeat business. There is nothing 'wrong' with the 3000mi interval, it's just not required in this day and age, mainly do to the reasons I've previously outlined.

In my daily driver, I change my oil 2 twice a year. That equates to about an oil change every 7500 miles. Back in the days of carbs, I subscribed to the 3000mi interval. The base oil lasts a looooooong time. It's the additive packages in the oils that take a beating, obviously the contaminants from combustion and water from condensation.

I maintain 2 engines in my 'toy' cars. One is a $50,000 supercharged 526ci HEMI that makes 1629hp at 8000rpm with 20 pounds of boost pressure in it's 'street' tune-up. The other is a $35,000 417ci naturally aspirated small block, that spins to 9000rpm and makes over 900hp. I cannot afford to make mistakes with things like oil and filters. I have been in the dyno cell when testing on engines costing over $100,000 and making upwards of 3000hp were taking place. I see what gets poured into the highend builds.

If anyone is really interested in this topic, there is a place to get excellent information. The site is called, Bobistheoilguy.com



Trust me.

 

[huskeynut]

Regular for my 2016 Mazda6 - which I have had for almost a year now. Came out in March of 2015. My wife's 2013 Lexus ES350 runs of regular too.

As for oil changes, manufacturer recommends 7,500 miles. Mazda uses synthetic oil in all their vehicles now. The Lexus is at 7,000 mile interval changes.

Last vehicle was a 2005 Ford Explorer. Ran on regular for well over 100,000 miles with no problems. Wife's last vehicle, 2004 Lexus RX330 made it to 175,000+ miles before we sold it. Regualr gas too.

 

[Drumguy]

going 20 miles out of your way to save "a nickel a gallon" doesn't make any sense at all.

all my gas stops are timed and carefully calculated

I had visions of you driving up to NH to save on the gas tax! A little exaggerated but my wife for example will pass by several stations and save $.02 or $.01.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I can do an oil change once a year... I think I've had 3 from the time I got my recent car back in 2012

I dont do the every 3000 miles thingy neither... I do it after 5-7K miles or when the "service light comes on"

For the Subaru it is every 6000 miles, and it has been carping at me the last couple of weeks (until I told it "don't show message again", once it hit about 5,500. Just not sure I can get there (other side of town) for another week. The actual service is free.

OTH, the 2003 Ford Ranger is an every 3000 miles, although actually I take it more like every 4 or more months, because we drive the truck much less than the car (normally).

While the Subaru goes to a dealer, the truck actually goes to an "old fashioned" Shell service station - last time I was there I saw the 80 year old owner checking tire pressure and washing windows for a customer at the "full service" pump. They actually have the highest rating for service on several web sites and only charged $10 to come to the house and jump start the truck so I could take it in (it needed a new battery).

 

[TDiNozzo]

Does anyone remember when Mobil 1 oil came out? They were saying 25,000 oil changes.... I Googled and found this...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=175028

Pretty interesting...

 

[toadfoot]

I have a Nissan 350Z and use 93 if I can find it, which can be a problem, otherwise 91.

 

[toadfoot]

... meanwhile, at the other extreme, some people just go with the flow.
View attachment 12759

Boy does that bring back an unpleasant memory. In 1989 I was offered a job at Apple, so we decided to pack up and move from New England to Ca. My wife and son stayed behind for a few months while we sold our house, so I temporarily found an apartment in Walnut Creek, Ca. and rented a car while my 2007 Mazda RX-7 was being transported cross country.
A week later my car arrived, so I decided to go fill the tank. As luck would have it, I just happened to choose a gas station where they still used attendants to pump gas. After filling up I paid the attendant, he gave me change, I thanked him and he walked away. I proceeded to start my car and drive away, however, the attendant had not removed the nozzle from my tank and as I started off I ripped the hose completely off the pump exactly as in the photo. Chaos quickly ensued as several other motorists aborted their business as gas quickly covered the entire area.