Schembri says Regular OK

[tishpit]

This would be a great test: if someone could record their mileage while using Premium, then switch to regular and record the difference both in mpg's as well as performance.

QUESTION: will using regular unleaded regularly void the warranty since the owner's manual states premium ONLY?

[CTJon]

The articles I've read about this recently with all the car manufactures saying regular won't hurt your car say your mileage shouldn't be any different but you will have less power. The latest "big" Hondai(?) even quotes different horsepower numbers depending upon what grade of gas.
For those running regular can you tell power difference? I doubt it.

[a2jack]

Perhaps if Penske, the motor guy, rather than Schembri the corporate Pres had said this. I would jump right on it.

For now I will pay the three bucks extra and await further developments. A2Jack.

[rawlus®]

shembri doesn't know crap. he's a bureaucrat. why would i be listening to his advise on fuel selection? it's in his best interest to downplay the importance of premium fuel because it removes a potential roadblock in the buyer's purchase decision. "see how it says 91 octane on the fuel door there? yeah, just ignore that. trust me"

i'll take an engineer's word over shembri every time.

[SmartCard]

and we really don't know the context of the whole conversation- did Schembri just mean in a pinch "you could use regular gas....", or did the reporter specifically asked if Schembri if one could switch permanently to regular without harm?

[jwight]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

shembri doesn't know crap. he's a bureaucrat. why would i be listening to his advise on fuel selection? it's in his best interest to downplay the importance of premium fuel because it removes a potential roadblock in the buyer's purchase decision. "see how it says 91 octane on the fuel door there? yeah, just ignore that. trust me"

i'll take an engineer's word over shembri every time.

Back to the subject of harsh words on the forum - I think you're being a little hard (not to mention demeaning) on Mr Schembri. I doubt "he doesn't know crap" as it is so eloquently put; he's been around the auto industry a long time and when he speaks he's speaking for smart USA. Were his words taken out of context? Who knows? We all need to lighten up a bit.

[rawlus®]

smartUSA is a distribution licensee. they are not a factory extension, a factory representative, they have nothing to do with design or engineering, etc.

too many people are lulled into the "my dealer says x..." trap. your dealer is full of salesmen, who make money by selling you something. their interests, if not entirely suspect, should be treated with caution.
when i hear from the factory, from the engineers, that it's cool to ignore the big "91 Octane Only" sticker on the gas cap lid, then perhaps i'll sit up and take notice. otherwise, shembri is only fueling the fire of doubt in the everyday person by contradicting every official statement from the factory with his "soundbite".

how much more irresponsible can you be to do something like that? seriously.

[Fowvay]

Originally Posted by jwight

Back to the subject of harsh words on the forum - I think you're being a little hard (not to mention demeaning) on Mr Schembri. I doubt "he doesn't know crap" as it is so eloquently put; he's been around the auto industry a long time and when he speaks he's speaking for smart USA. Were his words taken out of context? Who knows? We all need to lighten up a bit.

No he's speaking for his dealership not for Smart but as someone that knows cars and understands how they work. With modern fuel injection there are knock sensors etc to protect your motor in case of low quality fuel. The only thing you'll notice is maybe just maybe a small drop in power and run the risk of a bit of pinging and knocking (very bad) if a knock sensor should fail (very unlikely).

[letsgoskatepool]

I know from my personal experience that: A. Regular gas has been used in my smart from 1500 miles till now, at 6000 miles with no problems. B. My milage has not been effected at all. C. I have not noticed any power loss

[Dave Van]

I agree.....$1.60 a tank when I fill up every other week is not going to make a difference....I'll stick with it....at almost 50 mpg I spend the extra!