The SMART CAR OF AMERICA community is a social utility that connects you with fellow smart enthusiasts.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Okay, I have a reservation in (1509) for my Smart and really looking forward setting my config (delivery date NOW says JULY...woohoo). BUT, I have a question that I haven't seen posted yet. If it's there, please just send me that way. If not, then here it is...
Those of you who've had your Smartie for some time, are you using premium gas or regular? What has the effect been for those using regular gas? And what is the mileage difference?
I mistakenly filled up with 87 on my first fill-up. I checked the milage on the first tank and it was 37.8 mpg. I only put another 225 miles before I filled up again and I didn't check the milage. I did not notice any difference in performance or driveability using the 87 octane. I have been using 93 octane since. My mileage on the fourth tank was 41.3 driving mostly flat (Central Florida East Coast) combination of highway and around town, automatic mode, 100% air.
As I posted in that "other" thread, a tidbit that's particularly relevant to this "Pacific Northwest Chapter" posting:
I had a BMW Z4 roadster that would hesitate when I tried to accellerate hard when first using the car (cold). I took it in to the BMW dealer to get it taken care of under service and was informed that the Premium fuel in the Pacific Northwest didn't meet BMW's combustability standards. Dumbfounded, I stepped back to "plus" and was amazed that the cold-engine heavy-acceleration hesitation went away. Completely.
It's because of this that I'm hesitant to return to premium. If I were in Denver, DC, or Orlando, I'd switch to manufacturer recommended premium in a heart-beat. My understanding is the engine is designed to take advantage of the "better" fuel for improved efficiency.
But hesitation when you're trying to merge into heavy traffinc leaving home or leaving work? Who needs it?!
Your mileage may vary. So many people recommend Premium (though not all are from the PNW) that you might try starting with premium and stepping back to plus if you experience any initial hesitation accelerating from a stop.
I use premium because this is a high compression engine that is designed to use premium gas. It will run on regular gas because today's engines are smart enough to recognize it and adapt, but you're better off using premium.
Contrary to popular myth, premium gas isn't "better" in the sense that it provides more power. Premium gas actually burns slower than regular gas, but because of that the engine can be designed to make slightly less power for a much longer time during each piston stroke giving a net increase in power.
Burning regular gas in an engine that is designed for premium causes the O2 sensor to trigger the computer to retard the timing, which reduces power and wastes gas. You'll get lower gas mileage that will more than offset the lower price of regular gas. It varies from car to car, but the drop in mileage will likely be around 10%. So unless premium gas is more than 10% more expensive in your area, it's actually cheaper to use the premium gas that the engine is designed to use than to skimp and use regular gas.
Around here regular is about $4.25 and premium is about $4.55, which is only about 7% more expensive.
I thought the Smart engine came without an O2 sensor. Or was that the mass flow sensor that was excluded? The sensor that was excluded is why oiled air filters are okay.
I'm still a bit confused but my dad said I HAD TO put premium, do I,? or can I use like mid grade? I know he said something about it was required. I'm not complaining because I save from my first car but it cost me 4.15 pre galon.
G-section - 1st page....... We run on Premium for best performance - too much of a risk of screwing things up if one doesn't - my opinion !
For what it is worth, and like the vehicles noted in the Seattle Times story, premium is 'specified' in writing, not "recommended" verbally for the smart.
I'm still a bit confused but my dad said I HAD TO put premium, do I,? or can I use like mid grade? I know he said something about it was required. I'm not complaining because I save from my first car but it cost me 4.15 pre galon.
Do as your father says....Father Knows Best! Boy! Am I showing my age there or what???!!!???
What has the effect been for those using regular gas? 
Linear Mode
