Gas - Anyone using PLUS grade?

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Old May 11, 2004 | 10:37 PM
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Gas - Anyone using PLUS grade?

With the now ridiculous and soon to be $50 a tank gas prices, is anyone using PLUS (or Regular) grade in your TSX rather than premium? Any ill-effects or performance problems?
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Old May 11, 2004 | 10:49 PM
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Re: Gas - Anyone using PLUS grade?

I've always used octane 89.

I noticed a small difference in performance after performing an experiment: 1 trip with 87, 1 trip with 89, 1 trip with 91. Trips were 300 miles long, same route.

Conclusions:

91 got me 1.5 mpg better than 89.

87 had very noticeable drop in performance. Mileage, however, was the same as 89 (approx. 30 mpg at avg speed of 71 mph).

Overall, 89 works fine. Don't recommend 87. 91 is nice, but at $2.50 per gallon, it's hard to justify ($0.10 from 91 to 89).
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Old May 11, 2004 | 11:16 PM
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91 VS. 89

Thanks Slo:
If I assume you're getting 28 miles per gallon with 91 Octane that costs $2.25 and you're getting 26.5 miles per gallon (28 - 1.5) with 89 Octane that costs $2.15 per gallon (.10 less), the 300 mile trip costs $24.10 with 89 Octane and $24.33 with 89 Octane so the 91 Octane actually costs less.

Anyone else find that 91 Octane gives better gas mileage?
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Old May 11, 2004 | 11:25 PM
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wow 87?

slo007, how does it feel? no knocking right...
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Old May 12, 2004 | 12:13 AM
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I just pay the extra money and stay with Super...premium. I think we are at 2.05 right now, per gallon
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Old May 12, 2004 | 12:45 AM
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2.05 per gallon!? where do you live!!?
I've always used Mobile Gas and always used thier 91 octane
Super. And in Santa Barbara...2.56 per gallon.
I was passing Calabasas, CA last night and...their Mobile has
2.99/Gallon. crazy..
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Old May 12, 2004 | 12:50 AM
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In Long Island, New York last weekend premium was $2.39! Crazy enough!! I thought getting oil-man Bush out of the White House would help but Kerry wants to put a 50 cent/gallon tax on gas. What the F..K#$%*&*&
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:49 AM
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Originally posted by NeoChaser
wow 87?

slo007, how does it feel? no knocking right...
No knocking, but the car ain't happy off the line. It struggles a bit.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:52 AM
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In Oregon......we pay about 2.13 for reguler..which means 2.33 for premium...it's getting out of hand
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:53 AM
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Re: 91 VS. 89

Originally posted by ACCPACURA
the 300 mile trip costs $24.10 with 89 Octane and $24.33 with 89 Octane so the 91 Octane actually costs less.
Interesting. That sticker shock just went down the toilet.

Last time I fueled up, it cost $36 for about 15 gallons (trip computer said 4 miles were left). At $2.5, it's $37.5... guess I'll bite.

Note those mpg figures were 100% highway. City only driving gives me much less (on average 20 mpg with 89).
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:54 AM
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Originally posted by ACCPACURA
In Long Island, New York last weekend premium was $2.39! Crazy enough!! I thought getting oil-man Bush out of the White House would help but Kerry wants to put a 50 cent/gallon tax on gas. What the F..K#$%*&*&
Although I whine incessantly about the high gas prices, I really think another $.50 increase would do good for America. Might finally get people to think twice about buying those humongous SUVs. Once the gas price gets high enough, I'll just buy a motorcycle for the daily commute.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:56 AM
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Originally posted by Creaminz
2.05 per gallon!? where do you live!!?
I've always used Mobile Gas and always used thier 91 octane
Super. And in Santa Barbara...2.56 per gallon.
I was passing Calabasas, CA last night and...their Mobile has
2.99/Gallon. crazy..
Driving to Santa Barbara on Friday. Nice 200-mile trip, both ways on the same day. Good thing I have company.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 03:14 AM
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tho u guys complain

just to let u guys know we pay about 2.84USD per gallen.. on 87

good thing i live close to the boarder heeh i can just go down and buy some of ur "cheap gas"
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Old May 12, 2004 | 06:23 AM
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You guys have it good up there in the US.
We in Australia pay 103.9 cents for a litre of Optimax 98 octane fuel.
that is $3.93 per US Gallon. Even if you convert that to US dollars, we in Australia are still getting raped by the high price.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 06:44 AM
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Once the gas price gets high enough, I'll just buy a motorcycle for the daily commute.
Been doing that for years but not necessarily for the better milage. That's just another added bonus these days.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 06:44 AM
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$1.87 for Premium (Shell) in Katy, TX - just west of Houston.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 09:12 AM
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Re: Re: 91 VS. 89

Filled up yesterday. I always go with Super. $2.20 a gallon.
Cost $33 to fill up. Grrrr....

Originally posted by slo007
(trip computer said 4 miles were left).
Is this something standard on the car. I'd love to know how many miles I have left in the tank. If not, where can I find this?
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Old May 12, 2004 | 10:53 AM
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Re: Re: Re: 91 VS. 89

Originally posted by Naboolou
Is this something standard on the car. I'd love to know how many miles I have left in the tank. If not, where can I find this?
If you have the Navi model, it's in the trip computer. I don't think this is available in the non-Navi models.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 11:04 AM
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I don't really understand the whole ideal of trying to save money by using lower octane gas. I put on about 20,000km/yr on my cars and if I'm doing the math correctly it's only about $300/yr ($CDN) difference between 87 octane and 94. I think I'll stick with the 94.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 11:07 AM
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93 octane here, I just suck it up and pay the price...
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Old May 12, 2004 | 11:34 AM
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Originally posted by Qwertee
You guys have it good up there in the US.
We in Australia pay 103.9 cents for a litre of Optimax 98 octane fuel.
that is $3.93 per US Gallon. Even if you convert that to US dollars, we in Australia are still getting raped by the high price.
NYMEX gasoline for June delivery last quoted at $1.340/gal.

You ARE getting raped in Oz but it's by your gasoline TAXES! (What, exactly, do you GET for the $2.59???)

BTW, I filled up with overpriced Sunoco 94 octane yesterday @ $2.129/gal.

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Old May 12, 2004 | 11:51 AM
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at king sooper last night, milk is $4/gal, at least we dont on milk!
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Old May 12, 2004 | 12:53 PM
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well as i see some crazy ass prices like $2.50 and #3.00 i in florida pay $1.96 for 87 or $2.25 for 91. I find it that the 91 octane dont hold up milage ways as good as the 87. for me performance really dont make a difference since i got a 5at. i for one have enough to pay with school and other bills i need to save every penny i can.

but all in all i am really upset with the prices. i used to have a 99 civic si and i used to fill it up with 87 (when stock) for $10 when gas was $.99. ahh those were the days now i take like $27 to fill my tsx.

bottom line is those asswholes keeping the gas prices up in the air.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 01:28 PM
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Originally posted by Qwertee
You guys have it good up there in the US.
We in Australia pay 103.9 cents for a litre of Optimax 98 octane fuel.
that is $3.93 per US Gallon. Even if you convert that to US dollars, we in Australia are still getting raped by the high price.
I actually hope it goes over $3! Maybe then we'll have less SUVs on the road doing 10mpg. Some people are so greedy and stubborn.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 03:07 PM
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I'll pass on the 3 dollar gallons. Let the SUV's roll and the owners pay the 2 - 2.50 in gas now...I am sure it is hurting their pocket as it is.......
I feel 2.05 is more than enough for a gallon of gas (ELP TX), especially since it went up over .75 in less than a year!!!!! Goverment needs money real bad, raise a postage stamp another nickel or two...I can handle that, but gas prices are just getting to retarded to quickly....IMO
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Old May 12, 2004 | 03:17 PM
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Originally posted by Dan Martin
I don't really understand the whole ideal of trying to save money by using lower octane gas. I put on about 20,000km/yr on my cars and if I'm doing the math correctly it's only about $300/yr ($CDN) difference between 87 octane and 94. I think I'll stick with the 94.
X 1000

Whats funny as well is that people think that in 10 years when we're all driving hybrids that we'll be saving so much money on gas.

What do you think the gas companies are going to do when demand drops? Yup they're going to raise prices. So sure we'll be using half the gas we use today but we'll be paying double if not more than what we pay today.

The only answer to this madness is an alternate fuel.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 04:44 PM
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ur all idiots for putting 91 in a v4 engine,
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Old May 12, 2004 | 04:56 PM
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Thanks for clearing that up GOSPEEEED.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 05:38 PM
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Originally posted by domn
The only answer to this madness is an alternate fuel.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 05:46 PM
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Originally posted by One Day ill Have a TSX
ur all idiots for putting 91 in a v4 engine,
*cough* I4 *cough*
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Old May 12, 2004 | 06:28 PM
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Originally posted by Qwertee
You guys have it good up there in the US.
We in Australia pay 103.9 cents for a litre of Optimax 98 octane fuel.
that is $3.93 per US Gallon. Even if you convert that to US dollars, we in Australia are still getting raped by the high price.
98 octacne... What is that in Dollars? When I raced my Grand Prix last summer, I paid $5 a gallon for 99.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 08:08 PM
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i split my time between birmingham and atlanta. until a few months ago, atlanta was always cheaper. not so anymore.
i fill up at costco every time now. all they have is 87 and 93 and the 93 is still MUCH cheaper than any other station around.
last wednesday in b'ham i paid $1.80 a gallon for 93. 4 days later in atlanta, i paid $1.95 for 93 (again at costco). yesterday, i filled up again at b'ham costco and paid $1.87 for 93.

i've got 812 miles or so on the car, this will be the first tank i run all the way through, so i'm still not sure about my mileage yet.
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Old May 12, 2004 | 08:41 PM
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Just filled up, $2.05 per for 93, what a deal...
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Old May 12, 2004 | 09:55 PM
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Originally posted by One Day ill Have a TSX
ur all idiots for putting 91 in a v4 engine,
Seeya, again.
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Old May 13, 2004 | 12:13 AM
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He'll be back soon enough!
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Old May 13, 2004 | 02:28 AM
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Originally posted by PHUNBALL
*cough* I4 *cough*
Exactly.
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Old May 13, 2004 | 02:41 AM
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If u can't afford the gas, you can't afford the car. There are good reasons higher grade fuel is recommended.
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Old May 13, 2004 | 02:45 AM
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Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
If u can't afford the gas, you can't afford the car. There are good reasons higher grade fuel is recommended.
I can afford the gas. I just choose to spend the money elsewhere.

Heck, I can afford a 330i; but I'm smarter and got the TSX.
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Old May 13, 2004 | 03:05 AM
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The car will not operate at it's efficient peak with lower grade gas. Your going to get less HP and less fuel economy. The TSX needs EVERY lil HP it can squeeze, lol.
That is why it is MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED. Like certain oil viscosity and maintenance.

People that don't take care of the cars like they should are the ones that make them into bad used cars.
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Old May 13, 2004 | 07:31 AM
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Originally posted by slo007
I actually hope it goes over $3! Maybe then we'll have less SUVs on the road doing 10mpg. Some people are so greedy and stubborn.
Why would you hope for something that's irrelevant to the reason of the temperamental gas price changes?

I don't get it, there's nothing stubborn or greedy about purchasing and driving a SUV. What if some Civid Hybrid driver hoped for the gas prices to fly above $5 so "we can have less Sedans/Compacts on the road doing 20~26mpg?"

Anyways, although gas prices are ridiculously high, I think it's just a form of creating conversations. It doesn't even affect our pockets significantly.
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