iphanatik

Been thinking about burning midgrade gas. I've heard its more bang for your buck b/c of more miles for the extra dime a gal. Wondering if anyone has any positive/negative experiences?

ClaySlayer

I'm going to suggest something that might sound really crazy...run a few tanks through it and see!

Why? Because the cost of a tank of 87 vs 89 is $7.20 (36 gal) where I live so $20 for a few tanks and the responses you're about to get are going to be all over the place.

NO REASON FOR THIS THREAD TO CONTINUE!!!

RDFTS

iTrader: (1)

I am actually doing a test with premium gas in comparison to regular. Most gas stations around here still use 10% ethanol in all grades except premium. I am trying to see if I am getting better MPG and so far after 2 full tanks, I am getting roughly .5 MPG better. I am still going to use 2 more tanks to get a better average. But I need to get 1 MPG better to just break even.

Considering this, I could honestly say that mid-grade will not pay off especially considering mid-grade typically has ethanol when premium doesn't.

iphanatik

thanks for the numbers, very interesting

Masterblaster1

Wont matter, burn minimum required, the wide bad 02 sensors and the ECU in modern vehicles compensates very quick. I do add a cleaner like seafoam every now and then. The ethanol additive in all gas is a scam by the government to extract more taxes from less efficiency out of you while placating farmers and driving food prices as well as basic energy prices higher.

Captain22

Mid grade is a 50/50 split of regular and premium. Gas stations only get deliveries of the two types of gas and mix at the pump to create mid grade.

RDFTS

iTrader: (1)

If you like numbers, here is something I posted on another thread. You can use your numbers for what you are paying.

Around here Premium is consistently 20 cents higher per gallon. Here is what I am figuring:

36 gallons of Reg at $3.57 is $128.52 and I average right now around 16mpg. So on 36 gallons I can go 576 miles, divide the price for tank and I am getting about 22.3125 cents per mile.

36 gallons of Prem at $3.77 is $135.72, only $7.20 more. If I can just get 1 more mpg, then taking the same caculations, it comes out to 22.1765 cents per mile.

Now .136 cents is too close to really measure so if I end up getting 1mpg more than its basically a wash. But if you can get 2mpg more than it seems it would be well worth it for 20.9444 cents per mile. Of course if I get exactly the same then it's 23.5625 cents and considering I usually fill-up about twice a month that could come out to $14.40 more per month.

I figure for $21 over a month of testing to see if I get any better mpg, it's worth the money just to see. If not, I go back to regular gas.

iphanatik

Thanks again! A lot of factors can go into our test, especially this time of year. (unless its not 30 degrees where you live)

BobLobLaw

The problem with mid grade is that it's mixed at the pump to achieve the proper octane level. 94 is mixed with 87 to achieve 89 and 91. Some pumps may not give a perfect blend so you may end up with slightly lower or higher octane levels.

Another thing is that mid grade will still contain ethanol. 94 (91 is premium at some stations) is ethanol free. This will give you the most noticable results in mpg.

BE25FX4

i know this is a little off topic, but the flex fuel marketing thing is funny. i run it every once and a while because it's cheaper than regular.

i may try 91 to test the results.