Preminu VS. Regular?? does it really matter?

Old Sep 6, 2008 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
N8s1996TL's Avatar
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From: Snellville, GA
Preminu VS. Regular?? does it really matter?

Hey,

I'm thinking about switching from premium to regular gas for my 1996 3.2 TL. For obvious reasons $$$

Does the TL really need the premium??

What do you guys use? What do you think?
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Old Sep 6, 2008 | 07:17 PM
  #2  
KrayzieDxC's Avatar
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From: CT
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tl-1996-1998-101/go-premium-not-go-premium-proof-685772/
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 12:19 AM
  #3  
LastBoyScout's Avatar
96 TL 2.5
 
Joined: Apr 2008
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yeah, im seeing an improvement so far. as of today (filled up sunday) im seeing a 2.5 MPG difference according to my scangauge. I fill up when the Low Fuel Light comes on.

so, if I usually get 14.2xx gallons of gas (my local pumps shows as far as 1000ths of a gallon) and I was getting 26.5 MPG on regular for a total millage of 376.3 miles. If i continue getting 29 MPG for the same 14.2xx gallons then i get a total millage of 411.8 miles. Thats a difference of 35.5 miles.

Now looking at the cost average:

reg: $3.459 * 14.2 gals = $49.1178 or $49.1178 / 376.3 miles = $0.1305/mile (cost per mile)

premium $3.609 * 14.2 gals = $51.2478 or $51.2478 / 411.8 miles = 0.1244/mile (cost per mile)

at a 35.5 mile difference between premium and regular and a cost difference of $0.15 its pretty obvious which one to choose.




But as most people are finding out, gas differs between time of year and region of the US.

We have a known and posted 10% ethanol added to all of our gas, so fuel economy here is not as great as it could be.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 02:21 PM
  #4  
5point9Limited's Avatar
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Originally Posted by LastBoyScout
yeah, im seeing an improvement so far. as of today (filled up sunday) im seeing a 2.5 MPG difference according to my scangauge. I fill up when the Low Fuel Light comes on.

so, if I usually get 14.2xx gallons of gas (my local pumps shows as far as 1000ths of a gallon) and I was getting 26.5 MPG on regular for a total millage of 376.3 miles. If i continue getting 29 MPG for the same 14.2xx gallons then i get a total millage of 411.8 miles. Thats a difference of 35.5 miles.

Now looking at the cost average:

reg: $3.459 * 14.2 gals = $49.1178 or $49.1178 / 376.3 miles = $0.1305/mile (cost per mile)

premium $3.609 * 14.2 gals = $51.2478 or $51.2478 / 411.8 miles = 0.1244/mile (cost per mile)

at a 35.5 mile difference between premium and regular and a cost difference of $0.15 its pretty obvious which one to choose.




But as most people are finding out, gas differs between time of year and region of the US.

We have a known and posted 10% ethanol added to all of our gas, so fuel economy here is not as great as it could be.


I dont think you are checking your mileage correctly. Fill up the tank until the nozzle clicks. Don't top it off. Reset odometer. Drive. Fill it up whenever you want (till the nozzle clicks) and divide the gallons of gas into the miles driven.

The low gas light is not a very accurate way to check, Just my
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 10:10 PM
  #5  
LastBoyScout's Avatar
96 TL 2.5
 
Joined: Apr 2008
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Originally Posted by 5point9Limited

I dont think you are checking your mileage correctly. Fill up the tank until the nozzle clicks. Don't top it off. Reset odometer. Drive. Fill it up whenever you want (till the nozzle clicks) and divide the gallons of gas into the miles driven.

The low gas light is not a very accurate way to check, Just my

Im using a scangauge 2 (awesome piece of equipment) and the same pump at the same filling station. I fill up with low flow (the first notch on the pump handle) and i fill it until the pump automatically shuts off.

Then i can either A) use the math equation above which is what I already used B) use what the scangauge reported C) use A and B

Anywho, it gets better mileage.

Believe it or not.
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 03:13 AM
  #6  
5point9Limited's Avatar
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What is scanguage? I will have to try this out for myself/
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 11:08 AM
  #7  
01tl4tl's Avatar
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Posts: 33,535
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its a scanner that plugs in and records while you drive- checking all the sensors and settings the engine is using- great for diagnostics

So you can save money up front,,, buying the wrong gas, and put gas in more often-
OR
run the correct grade- get optimal performance and mileage.
which makes more sense??

Honda's are different inside the engine than acura- we need the good gas!!

sell the tl and get a toyota from the 70s if you want great mileage on regular gas

You younger members dont know about 1973 and gas rationing- even/odd plate days of buying gas, 10 gallon limits!, lines around the block....
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Old Oct 13, 2008 | 03:39 PM
  #8  
2.5Inspired's Avatar
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
its a scanner that plugs in and records while you drive- checking all the sensors and settings the engine is using- great for diagnostics

So you can save money up front,,, buying the wrong gas, and put gas in more often-
OR
run the correct grade- get optimal performance and mileage.
which makes more sense??

Honda's are different inside the engine than acura- we need the good gas!!

sell the tl and get a toyota from the 70s if you want great mileage on regular gas

You younger members dont know about 1973 and gas rationing- even/odd plate days of buying gas, 10 gallon limits!, lines around the block....
In the philippines, they have odd/even plate days of driving.
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 02:22 PM
  #9  
Mr_Outside's Avatar
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Judging on this, should I go ahead and buy a Scangauge II?
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 12:03 PM
  #10  
01tl4tl's Avatar
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spend the 200$ for a scantool,,, on buying the right gas that honda tested and determined the engine requires!
enough people have run scientific test there should be no more questons on the subject

Seafoam the engine too!
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Old Nov 3, 2008 | 07:12 PM
  #11  
Integra_drk's Avatar
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pretty sure if the car didnt need premium, honda wouldnt have spent lots of time and money on R&D to determine it does...
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