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[IP] more on Use of gasoline grades



Begin forwarded message:

From: Joe Touch <touch@xxxxxxx>
Date: August 10, 2005 4:52:19 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Ip Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] more on Use of gasoline grades


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I too have seen the numerous articles, and tracked this for several
years. The common thread:

    1) premium won't help for cars rated for regular
        - this is consistent with the 2005 3.5L Nissan Maxima,
          which is rated for 87 octane (regular), not premium
    2) premium isn't strictly needed for cars rated for premium
        - when used, reduced power results
    3) miles/gallon *may* vary for cars rated for premium
        - it's fairly easy to figure out, e.g., in a few
        tanks, whether premium is worth the price difference

Joe

David Farber wrote:




Begin forwarded message:

From: Suzanne Johnson <sjohnson@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 10, 2005 2:03:42 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] Use of gasoline grades
Within last couple of days I read some articles that said that for cars 
with electronic engine controls, using any grade gasoline will  work.
The engines adjust to them without a glitch.  The gasoline  grades
listed for autos are optimized to ensure top horsepower  production.
Using a lower grade may mean less horsepower, but the  engine will
basically be fine. Some cars are even known and reported to get better 
gas mileage on grades not recommended by the  manufacturer.  See, for
example,  clip below.  I will keep searching  for the other articles I
read...


When EPA Mileage Numbers
Just Don't Add Up on the Road

By JONATHAN WELSH
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
August 10, 2005; Page D6

Q: My 2005 Nissan Maxima with a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine has EPA
ratings of 20 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, I have been getting 
only 16 to 18 mpg in mixed driving. I have tried premium gas,  and do
not have a heavy foot. There are about 2000 miles on the car. Is this a 
common problem with Nissan? What do you suggest?
-- Jim Levinson
Milwaukee Wis.

A: Actual fuel economy often does not match EPA figures because that
agency's ratings are based on near-ideal driving conditions instead of the cut-and-thrust style drivers usually encounter on the road. In our 
years of test drives we have found huge variations from vehicle  to
vehicle when it comes to meeting their EPA-rated fuel economy.  While
some models easily deliver fuel economy within the range  suggested by
the EPA, others need to be "babied" in order to come close. Some models have never even approached their EPA numbers on the road in our tests. 

It might be worth your time to continue experimenting with different
fuel grades. Strangely, we have heard about cases where Nissan Maximas like yours have performed more economically using lower- octane gasoline. 

.............clip.................................

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