Schembri says Regular OK

[Suze]

The manual for the Smart Fortwo repeats the warning issued for other vehicles sold by Mercedes-Benz: “To maintain the engine’s durability and performance, premium unleaded gasoline must be used.”
But even those stern words may have some room for interpretation. Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA, told John Schwartz, a reporter who was writing for this section’s blog about his experiences in buying a Smart, that he should not worry.
“You could use regular gas — there’s no damage to the car,” Mr. Schembri said.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/au...o_interstitial



Suze

[BigWarpGuy]

With gas prices being so high, I am glad I can use regular unleaded petroleum.

[CruzinSusan]

"“You could use regular gas — there’s no damage to the car,” Mr. Schembri said."

Great find, smart sister.

HULLO..........................savingsavi ngsaving.....

[2smartArizona]

I used regular for years in my premium only BMW, but I can't tell the difference.....but premium is a bargain now compared to what it used to be, so I buy it more often now. An extra three bucks a tank is meaningless in this market. Extra 1.60 a tank in a smart.....why worry.

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by notsobadyathink

“You could use regular gas — there’s no damage to the car,” Mr. Schembri said.
Suze

This doesn't mean that the car SHOULD have regular -- just that there's no damage. I've read repeatedly (here and on hypermiler fora) that regular gas won't deliver as many MPGs as the higher octane gas will. I'll keep paying the add'l $3/tank for the extra miles, tyvm.

[EpicSmartHere]

Originally Posted by 2smartArizona

Extra 1.60 a tank in a smart.....why worry.

Word. Why risk it and get worse MPG.

[2smartArizona]

Originally Posted by EpicSmartHere

Word. Why risk it and get worse MPG.

I have never had any difference in mileage, and I have always tracked it. The mileage is the same whether I use premium or not. People have always said my mileage would go down with lower octane and that therefore it was a false economy, but I have experienced nothing of the sort. So...no worse mileage on the 325iT, and if there is no difference there, I would bet there is no difference in the smart either.

[JyveAFK]

Just to check if anyone knows, there's not a problem alternating between premium and regular is there? I tend to refill at about 2 bars left, so should be a bit of both swilling about, but do they mix or will the engine sensors have trouble with the mixing of fuels in the tank?

[amad1972]

Originally Posted by JyveAFK

Just to check if anyone knows, there's not a problem alternating between premium and regular is there? I tend to refill at about 2 bars left, so should be a bit of both swilling about, but do they mix or will the engine sensors have trouble with the mixing of fuels in the tank?

Different octane gases mix fine. A gas friend of mine said that under the ground at the gas stations are only 2 tanks. One with regular and one with premium. The mid-grade gas is made by mixing the regular and premium as it comes through the pump. That being said, I still put premium in my smart. I put regular in my Firebird and both motorcycles, because that's what the manual calls for.

[Fowvay]

no worries on combining the fuels as the fuel itself is a mixture/blend. You'll be just fine. In my 1.8T I pretty much HAVE to run premium but on occasion have found myself about to run out of fuel with only a couple of dollars and a hundred miles left to go til home. I've put 87 in and been just fine even if my car did cut back the timing a bit and provide me a bit less power than usual. Not like I was going for power anyways under the circumstances. ;)