Luxury cars switch from premium to regular-gas diet

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:12:41 PM

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GasBuddy News Article

Luxury cars switch from premium to regular-gas diet Thursday, August 07, 2008
USA Today -- DETROIT — Although there's a growing trend among automakers to recommend that drivers pump premium into their cars, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) are quietly touting the fact that some of their luxury models take regular gas. Ford Motor's 2009 Lincoln MKS and General Motors' Cadillac CTS were both engineered to run just as well on regular-grade fuel as the high-octane stuff. By contrast, automakers recommend premium gas for nearly 62% of new vehicles on the market, up from 47% of models in 2002, according to Kelley Blue Book. Both Ford and GM are encouraging dealers and their salespeople to play up their no-premium-gas cars to potential buyers worried about the high cost of gas. It could be a key selling point at a time when consumers are seeking more fuel-efficient cars. Premium fuel generally costs about 20 cents a gallon more than regular gas.
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	Thursday, August 07, 2008 USA Today -- DETROIT — Although there's a growing trend among automakers to recommend that drivers pump premium into their cars, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) are quietly touting the fact that some of their luxury models take regular gas. Ford Motor's 2009 Lincoln MKS and General Motors' Cadillac CTS were both engineered to run just as well on regular-grade fuel as the high-octane stuff. By contrast, automakers recommend premium gas for nearly 62% of new vehicles on the market, up from 47% of models in 2002, according to Kelley Blue Book. Both Ford and GM are encouraging dealers and their salespeople to play up their no-premium-gas cars to potential buyers worried about the high cost of gas. It could be a key selling point at a time when consumers are seeking more fuel-efficient cars. Premium fuel generally costs about 20 cents a gallon more than regular gas. Visit USA Today for full article

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childoftibet Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,098 Points:9,430 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/16/2008 12:08:25 AM	Ignore childoftibet Report Abuse
	Gas is gas. It serves the purpose.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:857 Points:179,600 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 9:14:00 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	It still runs
Mad Laker Champion Author Calgary Posts:6,447 Points:225,505 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 10:38:10 AM	Ignore Mad Laker Report Abuse
	My car, a 2006 Acura TL was supposed to run on premium but all I have used is regular. The salesman told me that the only problem would be a slight drop in power. Well it's got lots of power for my needs.
kcgrl1 Rookie Author Virginia Posts:39 Points:12,895 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 9:50:55 PM	Ignore kcgrl1 Report Abuse
	With a good quality gas, I think almost any car can take regular. I have never used anything but regular,with no problems.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:857 Points:179,600 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 9:17:13 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	good idea
jim92065 Sophomore Author San Diego Posts:105 Points:24,025 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 5:36:31 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	The delta used to be 10% of the cost. Now it's only 5%. Premium is actually a better deal, now, than it was a couple of years ago. [Edited by: jim92065 at 8/13/2008 5:37:01 PM EST]
FawltyPawl Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:166 Points:25,000 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:56:17 AM	Ignore FawltyPawl Report Abuse
	generally, there is only a twenty or thirty cents per gallon delta; what is the beef?
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,784 Points:739,135 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:52:35 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	It is nice to know that American manufacturers engineered that into their cars. Foreign ones did not.
irish15pilot Veteran Author Charleston Posts:470 Points:871,180 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:48:04 AM	Ignore irish15pilot Report Abuse
	The weight of the luxury car is still very heavy (4,500-6,500 lbs.)
mahenv7 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:745 Points:152,160 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:44:15 AM	Ignore mahenv7 Report Abuse
	you have to pay for it anyway
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,453 Points:342,045 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:43:29 AM	Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse
	y - if u can afford a luxury car then u shood be able to aford the gas
TheSultan Sophomore Author Rochester Posts:127 Points:44,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:42:36 AM	Ignore TheSultan Report Abuse
	If you can afford a "premium" vehicle I'm sure you can affoard the gas crunch.
Baroda Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:143 Points:29,450 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:42:34 AM	Ignore Baroda Report Abuse
	All about saving money.
colin_mommy03 Rookie Author Nashville Posts:44 Points:4,550 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:31:35 AM	Ignore colin_mommy03 Report Abuse
	I have notice at some gas stations that they have those nozzles covered up or signs stating that they are out of those becasue nobody is buying them. I used to put premium gas in my tank once a month to clean it out but have since quit cause it's too much!
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:4,088 Points:1,026,445 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:30:54 AM	Ignore Lengas Report Abuse
	bought time
rogerparry All-Star Author Florida Posts:884 Points:200,995 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:29:54 AM	Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse
	An interesting article. How can they say there isn't a connection after this?
PizzaMon Sophomore Author Philadelphia Posts:125 Points:288,425 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:28:43 AM	Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse
	I would not purchase a vehicle that ran on premium gasoline only.
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,297 Points:846,330 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:26:29 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	Its the status game. Luxury is a thing, "I'm doing better than other's".
Rivermedic Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:414 Points:76,580 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:21:59 AM	Ignore Rivermedic Report Abuse
	Getting smarter.
markmoore80 All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:663 Points:251,080 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:20:10 AM	Ignore markmoore80 Report Abuse
	Premium is another scam to make more money and make 'rich folks' seem better somehow for getting 'Premium' gas (like they're above running regular). Truth be known, only 'performance' cars should run on Premium... all they would have to do to all of the 'Luxury' cars is re-tune the timming to make them run on regular.
radicale All-Star Author Calgary Posts:500 Points:147,020 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:17:51 AM	Ignore radicale Report Abuse
	Luxury car, who can afford a luxury car? I can't even afford a new one of any type!
ups4christ Rookie Author San Bernardino Posts:32 Points:13,790 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:16:00 AM	Ignore ups4christ Report Abuse
	I have never used premium, but out here the premium seems to be a bargain since its always priced about 20 cents higher than regular regardless of the price of regular. Doesn't go up based on percentages.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,085 Points:924,265 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:14:55 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	That sounds like a care dealer, fog the air with statistics..
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:7,795 Points:628,110 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:11:11 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	If the vehicle takes premium - you better not put regular in it. But why aren't all vehicles using regular? Who cares about Mid grade and Premium.. I have always owned vehicles that take only regular...
rbdesigns Veteran Author Modesto Posts:295 Points:85,295 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:08:12 AM	Ignore rbdesigns Report Abuse
	As long as it's a good quality gas, I think almost any car can take regular.
sgonza98 All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:897 Points:196,260 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:07:01 AM	Ignore sgonza98 Report Abuse
	Some automakers void warranties and ignore extended warranties if you opt to save 27 to 50 cents a gallon with regular instead of super. Frankly it's time to quit worrying about having luxury cars.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,310 Points:1,225,380 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:05:28 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	First, are they high compression? Second, are you racing it? If the answer is no, then no need for premium gas. They can always retard the timing programming slightly. Most folks wouldn't notice a difference in performance.
Egaser Sophomore Author Atlanta Posts:172 Points:95,575 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:04:01 AM	Ignore Egaser Report Abuse
	As well they should,but what about the others of us stuck having to buy premium gas?
alsal55 Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:227 Points:270,175 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:03:05 AM	Ignore alsal55 Report Abuse
	My car specifies 89 octane. I have logged 115,000 miles on it using 87 octane, with no problems. My mechanic says all I'm giving up is a little bit of performance.
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:7,624 Points:1,640,110 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:01:19 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	As long as you don't get frisky with the car that uses premium ... you can use regular gas.
purvismike Rookie Author Wisconsin Posts:81 Points:38,125 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:58:46 AM	Ignore purvismike Report Abuse
	WOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Think I'll fill up at the Airport!!!
tazdriver Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,854 Points:480,550 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:57:42 AM	Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse
	If you can and not get knock. .
44Irish All-Star Author Ontario Posts:825 Points:210,825 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:55:30 AM	Ignore 44Irish Report Abuse
	I wonder if they pump it themselves or go to a full service station?
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,122 Points:932,325 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:54:59 AM	Ignore throttle Report Abuse
	About time!
frede2 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,172 Points:706,770 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:53:02 AM	Ignore frede2 Report Abuse
	Regular gas with a bit of STP occasionally shoud work.
cableman31 Veteran Author New York Posts:312 Points:338,935 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:50:13 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	To Gassie 1: Speak for yourself.Just because someone wants to drive a hi-end car why shouldn't he care about the price he pays for gas. Don't forget, millioniers clip cigaretts too.
FizedNH All-Star Author New Hampshire Posts:927 Points:180,755 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:48:02 AM	Ignore FizedNH Report Abuse
	About time...
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,726 Points:757,415 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:47:48 AM	Ignore tobasco Report Abuse
	If a car needed anything more expensive than 87, I would not buy it no matter the price of fuel.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,174 Points:1,476,620 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:47:41 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	I didn't know that DFleming, I always assumed that a higher grade was required if you didn't want knock. Good to know and thanks! (now to convince my Mom she can go midgrade)
DST43 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,781 Points:310,580 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:47:39 AM	Ignore DST43 Report Abuse
	u should always have a option to buy and grade u like
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:1,908 Points:212,255 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:47:01 AM	Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
	The relative extra cost for premium is actually a lot smaller than it used to be.
DFleming Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:247 Points:52,345 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:45:15 AM	Ignore DFleming Report Abuse
	Most Luxury Cars nowaday have sensors that automatically adjust if you use a lower octane fuel. The main reason for premium gas is better performance.
4warned All-Star Author Michigan Posts:764 Points:528,520 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:44:08 AM	Ignore 4warned Report Abuse
	I wonder if we had just one octane of fuel. It seems resources would be concentrated and refineries better used.
Brockvillian Veteran Author Ontario Posts:362 Points:262,320 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:43:51 AM	Ignore Brockvillian Report Abuse
	That's nice! Hopefully this will be a growing trend.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,174 Points:1,476,620 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:43:04 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	I think if I did have a car that specified higher octaine I'd continue using it. For a few cents per gallon I'd rather have an operating vehicle than one with lower octaine that is in the garage because of engine problems.
techque Sophomore Author St. Louis Posts:240 Points:873,875 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:42:54 AM	Ignore techque Report Abuse
	Gassie1 - gasoline should be a concern for EVERYONE. The mess we're in now is because gasoline was a concern for no-one !!
gasman50 All-Star Author Portland Posts:935 Points:732,640 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:42:05 AM	Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse
	And the news is............?
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,840 Points:1,597,890 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:41:31 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	my 08 HHR SS runs better if I put a fill of premium in every 6th or 7th fillup.
rod1965 Veteran Author Portland Posts:368 Points:45,315 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:40:29 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	Ican remember when there were only two grades of gas and there is probably someone alive that remembers only one grade. I wonder what would happen if all cars ran on the same grade of gas?
LaCajunDJ Rookie Author Louisiana Posts:60 Points:26,350 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 9:40:27 AM	Ignore LaCajunDJ Report Abuse
	Who Cares!!!