Regular or Premium Gas?

[savagewind]

My new used car gets about 22 miles per gallon. It has 177,000 miles on it. It is working fine and I like it. The lady at the repair shop told me that the engine in it will last longer than the body will last and the body is still in very good condition. My husband says regular gas is good enough for it regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use premium. My husband also said that regular motor oil is fine regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use synthetic. The lady said that we should obey the rule about the synthetic oil, but I forgot to ask her about the gasoline. I am asking you guys. Please. And, thank you.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I would recommend regular gas with higher octane on occasion to burn off the carbon. Any oil of course is fine but synt oil would be my personal preference, but oil is so expensive it's ludicrous. I stay with regular oil for those reasons.

 

[savagewind]

I would recommend regular gas with higher octane on occasion to burn off the carbon. Any oil of course is fine but synt oil would be my personal preference, but oil is so expensive it's ludicrous. I stay with regular oil for those reasons.

At the pump, there are just two choices. Regular and Premium. What is "regular gas with higher octane"?

 

[savagewind]

If synthetic oil will really contribute to a longer life of the car, it is worth the price, imo.
I also have a Prius but that one won't go on the snow and the ice here most of the time.

 

[Mindmaster]

My new used car gets about 22 miles per gallon. It has 177,000 miles on it. It is working fine and I like it. The lady at the repair shop told me that the engine in it will last longer than the body will last and the body is still in very good condition. My husband says regular gas is good enough for it regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use premium. My husband also said that regular motor oil is fine regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use synthetic. The lady said that we should obey the rule about the synthetic oil, but I forgot to ask her about the gasoline. I am asking you guys. Please. And, thank you.

Premium gas is usually cleaner, regardless of whether it increases MPG. The funk that gets in your motor causes degraded performance over time. Generally, you will get more life out of spark plugs, fuel filter, and anything gas touches in the motor. Some cars are rated premium only, don't fool with it if that is what the manufacturer says - they're not lying. New cars that specify premium only will misfire or run in a degraded mode until you switch gas and have it reset at the dealer, at that point they will void your waranty. I'm aware of someone who had a car like mine and torched the motor doing this... This is especially true if your motor has a turbo/super charger.

Synthetic oils are of a much higher and durable grade, and cleaner. They also last longer, your oil changes can be 1/year 10,000+ miles. (You do have to make sure you are getting an oil filter that pairs with this extended mileage.) Certain engines, especially performance ones have higher tolerances and will fail under normal oil - you cannot use it, unless you want to lose the vehicle warranty/trash the vehicle. Some of the performance oils last 15,000 miles, so compared to changing your oil every 3-5k it's also more convenient. If the manufacturer recommends synthetic only you are just playing with fire. Also, if you live in a cold area synthetic oils will remain much more viscous rather than turning into jello like normal oil does.

 

[Twilight Hue]

At the pump, there are just two choices. Regular and Premium. What is "regular gas with higher octane"?

Premium. Octane is pretty much a marketing thing at the pumps Imo. The pump where I live actually says racing fuel for the highest. *Grin*

Higher octane just burns better. There's a very very little increase in mileage between ratings for what you see at the pumps.

 

[savagewind]

Premium gas is usually cleaner, regardless of whether it increases MPG. The funk that gets in your motor causes degraded performance over time. Generally, you will get more life out of spark plugs, fuel filter, and anything gas touches in the motor. Some cars are rated premium only, don't fool with it if that is what the manufacturer says - they're not lying. New cars that specify premium only will misfire or run in a degraded mode until you switch gas and have it reset at the dealer, at that point they will void your waranty. I'm aware of someone who had a car like mine and torched the motor doing this... This is especially true if your motor has a turbo/super charger.

Synthetic oils are of a much higher and durable grade, and cleaner. They also last longer, your oil changes can be 1/year 10,000+ miles. (You do have to make sure you are getting an oil filter that pairs with this extended mileage.) Certain engines, especially performance ones have higher tolerances and will fail under normal oil - you cannot use it, unless you want to lose the vehicle warranty/trash the vehicle. Some of the performance oils last 15,000 miles, so compared to changing your oil every 3-5k it's also more convenient. If the manufacturer recommends synthetic only you are just playing with fire.

Wow! Thank you. I think that you are perfect.

What does this mean? "and have it reset at the dealer"

 

[Mindmaster]

Wow! Thank you. I think that you are perfect.

What does this mean? "and have it reset at the dealer"

The cars computer will detect that it's unable to run normally without destroying the motor so it'll run in a limited or degraded mode. Usually it'll turn off cylinders in the vehicle to prevent you from over-exerting the engine. What that means is it'll run at about 25mph so you can limp it to the dealer, lol.

 

[savagewind]

It's a 2004 BMW X3 SUV. I am its third owner, at least. There is no warranty.
My husband considered it old and if it would get through two snowy years it is enough so that is why he thought low grade for it. But, the lady at the garage seems to disagree so I am going with her opinion and spend extra now for having the car for as long as I can which may be for many happy years to come.

 

[savagewind]

The cars computer will detect that it's unable to run normally without destroying the motor so it'll run in a limited or degraded mode. Usually it'll turn off cylinders in the vehicle to prevent you from over-exerting the engine. What that means is it'll run at about 25mph so you can limp it to the dealer, lol.

OK. I think I noticed that. Thanks!

 

[Revoltingest]

My new used car gets about 22 miles per gallon. It has 177,000 miles on it. It is working fine and I like it. The lady at the repair shop told me that the engine in it will last longer than the body will last and the body is still in very good condition. My husband says regular gas is good enough for it regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use premium. My husband also said that regular motor oil is fine regardless of the manufacturer's advice to use synthetic. The lady said that we should obey the rule about the synthetic oil, but I forgot to ask her about the gasoline. I am asking you guys. Please. And, thank you.

Oil:
Because individual use can vary, I discuss this with my mechanic.
But not everyone knows whether or not they have a good one.
If you're not sure....
If you drive a lot of miles, synthetic will allow more miles between changes.
If (like me) you drive very few miles, use ordinary oil, & change it based on a calendar schedule.

Gas:
If the manufacturer says premium, then use it.
Otherwise, you risk premature detonation & engine damage.

 

[columbus]

But, the lady at the garage seems to disagree so I am going with her opinion

Do that, she's right.
The engine is designed to run on a certain octane fuel. Whatever the owners manual says is what you should use. She probably knows what she's talking about.
Tom