91 Octane Gas Question

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

I look at it that way as well.....difference between 87 octane (reg) and 93 octane (premium) is 'only' .20/gal here in Central Indiana.

Like someone said, I'm only saving about $1.75 per fill-up so it's really not worth it to me. $5.00? Yes, but I'm not sweating over saving less than $2.00, regardless of the price of gas per gallon.

If you did the half 89 plus half 93 octane to get 91 octane, you'd only save half of that $1.75. And if you followed the paragraph 6.15 rule you'd save half of that, so I guess that's where the 44 cents savings from that one person came up from. So really it's a few quarters per tank. Assuming each tank goes for about 330 miles, at 12,000 miles a year you'd save about $27 to $30 a year filling the car up 36 full fill ups (72 half fill-ups if you followed paragraph 6.15). To me it's not worth it, but I have a friend that does it at every fill up for his Lincoln.

[TanyaJ]

I'm really worried b/c I accidentally filled up with regular unleaded. It was first time putting fuel in the smart. Do I need to siphon it out? Can I add octane booster??

[Huronlad]

Originally Posted by TanyaJ

I'm really worried b/c I accidentally filled up with regular unleaded. It was first time putting fuel in the smart. Do I need to siphon it out? Can I add octane booster??

It's not a big deal, one tank of regular fuel is not going to hurt the car. You have a few options if you are still concerned. Drive the car easy for this tank or add some octane booster or once you are able(burn a gallon or two of fuel) add some premium fuel to the tank, do that maybe twice and all should be fine.

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by Brabus

LOL, that reminds me when I was in Portugal in March. I rented a microhybrid Smart. I was on their autobahn

Dude, please, that's an auto-estrada and because it is tolled, that's an estrada pedagiada.

Autobahns only exist in Germany. Sad, but true.

[Huronlad]

Originally Posted by vwW12

Autobahns only exist in Germany. Sad, but true.

???????

autobahn = motorway

Most countries have them.

[jimvw57]

The word Autobahn brings to mind a roadway with no speed limit. Highways used to be "high speed" but most are cut down the 55-65MPH with only a few at 70 MPH.

TanyaJ, don't worry about the 'regular gas' in the tank. the computer can adjust for it. just don't expect stellar gas milage.

[Brabus007]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

TanyaJ, don't worry about the 'regular gas' in the tank. the computer can adjust for it. just don't expect stellar gas milage.

+1 <:-))

[wrumbarger]

I have a customer that comes into my smart center about twice a month.
(We give free car washes to our owners, doesn't your smart center do that?)

He bought a white pure in summer of 2008.

Anyway, he is always complaining that he is getting bad gas mileage (30-33mpg)

BUT, even though we tell him every time, AND point out the sticker on the fuel door, AND show him the info in the manual, HE STILL USES 87 octane fuel?

But, he is still happy with his smart, and tells his friends it is a good car, so we will keep washing his car, and telling him to use 91 min octane, and he will keep ignoring us.

[johnna]

The highest octane that can be found in these parts is 91. However, when driving out to OTD we were able to purchase 93 and started getting even better gas mileage. Some smart owners have suggested adding a fuel additive to the tank, but with the extra cost I don't know if the cost outweighs the benefit of extra mileage.

[Huronlad]

Originally Posted by johnna

The highest octane that can be found in these parts is 91. However, when driving out to OTD we were able to purchase 93 and started getting even better gas mileage. Some smart owners have suggested adding a fuel additive to the tank, but with the extra cost I don't know if the cost outweighs the benefit of extra mileage.

The improved mileage, was likely more due to less ethanol in the fuel.