Regular vs. Premium

[Deleted]

Before buying my Z28, I did research and saw how a lot of people used Premium gas for their 4th-Gen F-Bodies. Before purchasing my car from a dealer, I asked him if it takes regular or premium and he told me regular is fine. I was a little puzzled at his response. So since he said regular gas is fine, I have already filled it twice with regular. The price of the gas is really no issue for me, I can afford premium, but I'm not going to get it if it's not needed. Should I stick to regular or switch to premium?

[Keego Ridah]

I Would definitley use Premium if i were you if price is no issue with you, I once rented an SS for the day and i put regular in it and it didnt seem to run as well idk, it may have been just something wrong with that car, in my Formula i run nothing lower then 93 Octane, Just my 2 Cents

[WMCC Dino]

I sold cars for 13 years,the salemen who told you that reg is fine is an idiot!! In any car that has a high performance engine you should run Premium.

[wezeles]

i usually go with midgrade around my area its the same price as regular because so many new cars recomend midgrade or higher... you would notice a slight differance in regular to premium it is 4 more octane atleast... it will keep your engine a tad cleaner and running a little smoother... biggest thing is where you buy it.. each refinery does it different and i know some gas my car would run like crap on... i only use shell,bp,and marathon now... and try to buy from the same stations or atleast ones with the same owner... they buy the gas they toss in the tanks its not usually a big franchise that only supplies gas for one company... but for the extra 1 or 2 cents i get midgrade not worth another 10 cents for premium... might as well get an octane booster with cleaner additive and save the cash.

[Orange Terror]

I just looked at my owner's manual 2 days ago because of this. It recommends 91 octane or better. But it says lower octane can be used, just warns that acceleration will be slightly affected.

So, when I think about it, premium is what roughly 15-20 cents more per gallon. If I'm low on gas it takes about 15 gallons usually on my 17 gal tank to fill. @$0.20/gal X 15 gallons thats $3 more for good gas. I'm already spending at least $45 right now with gas prices to fill it anyway, what's another $3.

However, I only drive mine on weekends and occasionally during the week. If I daily drove it, that'll add up @ $3 per fill.

[Keego Ridah]

That exactly how i look at it, whats 3 more dollars out of my pocket for my baby??? lol

[dsgrntld187]

I'd definitely run premium. I ran regular through my 3rd gen and it seemed to miss and just overall run weird until I ran another tank of premium through it.

[greenmachine]

i dont run anything under mid-grade in my 3.4, if i had a 5.7 i deffanitly would ONLY use premium in it

[MattODoom]

I'd definitely run premium. I ran regular through my 3rd gen and it seemed to miss and just overall run weird until I ran another tank of premium through it.

Third gens only run 9.3:1 compression ( the L98 350 anyways, not sure about the 305). You can run regular no problem.

Fourth gens run a higher compression like 10.5:1 I think?

Granted they have aluminum heads...

I tuned my spark tables for 87 octane.

[dsgrntld187]

Third gens only run 9.3:1 compression ( the L98 350 anyways, not sure about the 305). You can run regular no problem.

Fourth gens run a higher compression like 10.5:1 I think?

Granted they have aluminum heads...

I tuned my spark tables for 87 octane.

True, but for some reason it ran weird when I used regular.. maybe it was the gas station I used.

[Deleted]

Ok, so I guess I'll use premium from now. Yes, my dealer was not the brightest of the bunch. I definately knew more about Camaros and F-bodies in general. He thought that Camaros were discontinued in '04.

Anyways, should I make sure that my tank is completely empty before I fill up next time with premium? Thanks for all your help.

[c0ncEpT]

With reg there will be lots more pinging and knocking :O!

[MattODoom]

With reg there will be lots more pinging and knocking :O!

The computer retards timing and gets rid of pinging and knocking.

You can put premium in whenever you want with the regular they'll just mix.

[Orange Terror]

Ok, so I guess I'll use premium from now. Yes, my dealer was not the brightest of the bunch. I definately knew more about Camaros and F-bodies in general. He thought that Camaros were discontinued in '04.

Anyways, should I make sure that my tank is completely empty before I fill up next time with premium? Thanks for all your help.

I'd get some in there now to bring it up a little, then run it down.

[F-bodyLuv]

93 0r even 94 if its available. You own a high performance engine so treat it like one