High gas prices..how about regular?

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

I know this thread is focused on V8 engines. Are there any thoughts or recommendations for those of us with I6 engines using 87 or 89 regularly?

There have been several threads on the 'which gas' topic...the responses range from "I only use this top tier gas brand" to quasi-technical discussions, to "it's a $70G car, so buy premo".

I have run every/any brand of gas I have encountered, and octane ratings from 93 to 87. I don't do technical tests, the 'apparent performance' is simply the seat of my pants, but I do keep careful mpg records. I am not obsessed about mpg in a 2 1/2 ton vehicle, just curious about mpg.

My best mpg/tank ranges have come on 89 octane, probably a summer blend vs winter, and with less to no ethanol; I've done a few 500+ mile tanks with that combo, in one day long trips. I have also had good results from crummy 87, especially on 600+ mile day long trips where that tank of low octane was run through the car in hours, in high speed highway cruising.

Purely anecdotal, but I have never been able to determine that the higher octane/big name juice gave any more 'performance' or better mpg. And, our 3.0 IL 6 X is going on 10 yrs old with 78k miles, and seems to run well and has been basically problem free over that decade.

I think many of us 'feel better' when we dump 91/93 gas into our cars, but I suspect the actual 'impact/effect' is minimal vs 89, on occasion...since few of us have test equipment in our front seats, and fewer of us can really discern differences in seat of the pants, and 'conditions' may play a part on how the ol'engine 'feels' that day. So it seems to me to be mostly mythical and a function of typical human senses condition, as to the 'premium/top gas brand effect'.

Do I save a few bucks running 89/87 on occasion? Yes...does saving a few bucks, or the real effect on performance, or engine systems potential debilitation matter? No to all above, imo. Would I run 87 in the X or, my Vette continuously, esp in daily stop and go, probably not, but that is 'emotional' too, imo.

The more technically astute here on the Board can explain about engine mgmt systems, etc., but few of us require full throttle on take offs, ala driving jet planes. Most of us stumble around in daily traffic, or take trips.
Even our ol' 3.0 has all the grunt I have ever needed in ~10 yrs of driving it, often loaded to the gunwales.

Obviously, the 'cost' of premo vs non-premo, over a year or even several years of ownership is not the main issue, even if the car headline writers would lead one to feel that dumping their 15 mpg car for a 30 mpg is the cure for one's financial ills. So, run what one likes and drive the sumbitch.
YMMV...
My 50Cts.
GL, mD