Don't waste your money on Premium gasoline

I use what the manual calls for. Truck gets regular. Miata drinks premium.
The "high test" is actually harder to ignite so it does not cause ping in high compression engines.

all the yard mtce engines get regular with fuel stabilizer in every tankful.

Try to fill up regular into vehicle design for Premium and take it on one of those 17 or 25 miles grades we do have here.
Beware only Grapevine grade has emergency water at pull-outs.

270 million drivers needlessly use premium fuel? Was AAA study a world wide study? There are not 270 million people in the USA with drivers licenses.

GordonThree wrote:
So a precision tuned engine ZR1 or Z06 engine that says PREMIUM REQUIRED in the manual and at the fuel gauge is just marketing hoo-ha?

Why do pilots bother with high test aviation gas in their high compression piston engines, when 85 octane will do? Those engines are computer controlled too, the knock sensor should sort it out right?

You probably won't see any difference in performance unless you are racing.
Most airplanes don't have the same controls, whole differant engine like comparing apples to oranges.
Bill

2010 Acura MDX states "Premium Fuel". My wife is not as astute about engines, etc. as I am and I told her to use Regular. Computer or not, it does ping under heavy throttle with Regular grade. She uses the grade above Regular and it runs fine.

Having worked for a refinery for a few years and familiar with the knock test engines in the lab, there is a difference in the fuel grades.

With the computers etc. in cars today, I am surprised there is a need for more than one grade.

Today's diesel engines have multiple injection events for one burn that controls engine noise and EPA requirements. (Couldn't make myself use the term power stroke).

The artical is telling people to not waste your money on premium IF THE VEHICLE DOESN'T REQUIRE IT.
It never imply's that you should not use it if your owners manual says you should use it.

GordonThree wrote:
So a precision tuned engine ZR1 or Z06 engine that says PREMIUM REQUIRED in the manual and at the fuel gauge is just marketing hoo-ha?

Why do pilots bother with high test aviation gas in their high compression piston engines, when 85 octane will do? Those engines are computer controlled too, the knock sensor should sort it out right?

Did you miss the part of the OP that said: "...you should open your owners manual..."? No one is advocating using less than the manual recommends, just not more than it calls for.

The only reasons to not buy 'Hi-Test' is if U can't afford it and it is probably very old in the stations tank since very few buy it. I have the Ford V10 which calls for 'Regular' gas. Out west in the mntns, it sure helps climbing grades.

GordonThree wrote:

Why do pilots bother with high test aviation gas in their high compression piston engines, when 85 octane will do? Those engines are computer controlled too, the knock sensor should sort it out right?

Any plane I fly would get the Dom Perignon of fuel. Not the best situation to sort out fuel issues at 10,000 feet?

I can't imagine using premium gas in any vehicle that does not specifically require it - waste of money. Except for high compression engines, typically European. Premium octane allows for a higher compression before combustion. Using regular in a high compression engine can cause premature combustion prior to spark ignition, which could ultimately damage your engine. At least, that was what I was always told to believe?

I feel it's more prudent to use a 'top tier' fuel on a regular basis, such as Exxon/Mobile, BP, Shell, Valero, etc which contain a known level of cleaning additives? In my area, just pennies if any difference in price.

Another waste of money for most is fuel cleaner additives. Which actually can cause negative issues with emissions systems due to their concentrated cleaners. Better just to stick with a top tier fuel on a regular basis.