Do You Really Need Premium?

[Glorywagon]

On you Mark VIII ?

[luxuryrules]

I'm going to lift this from another thread, as this has been covered:

"the knock sensor will retard the timing for you, so it will run just fine, minus a few horsepower and minus a tad in fuel economy. The proper way to do this is track fuel economy over five tankfuls each of premium and regular. Calculate the percentage difference in cost versus the percentage difference in mileage to determine if running regular will actually save you any money.

Did this with my old man's 95 and it actually came out to about break even between the two (there was maybe a tenth of a percent in favor of premium but at that point it's splitting hairs). The funny part is, assuming the same spread between premium and regular (30 cents around here), whenever gas goes up, the percentage difference becomes lower (.3/2 is much higher than .3/4) and thus premium actually becomes a better deal.
When gas was $1.25/$1.55, that was a twenty-four percent premium for high octane fuel. Now, at $3.55/$3.85, it's only about 8.4 percent more expensive for high octane. Puts things in perspective, eh?"

EDIT: will add one more thing though. When you're relying on the knock sensor to retard your timing on account of using cheap fuel, then you are putting the health of your engine i the hands of that sensor. If it fails, you could damage your engine.

In other words, run premium. You won't save as much money as you think you will, if any.

[DaKat]

Oh dear. Guess my Mark is headed for the big junkyard in the sky.

[luxuryrules]

Oh dear. Guess my Mark is headed for the big junkyard in the sky.

Mine's been headed that way for years. Mostly with the help of drivers who seem to think there is a big bullseye on my hood.

[turborich]

I wouldn't say that it is 100% required, however I only use premium fuel from chevron. Just my preference.

If you notice it knocking or pinging then you might wanna start using a better grade of fuel.

[jamies98lsc]

mine pings so bad on regular, which is all i have been putting in it lately, so yesterday i figured i'd be a nice guy and feed hersome super, the car is like a crackhead now, i cant believe what a difference it makes running gas a few octane higher. if i get on it hard now it just takes off like a scolded dog, but with regular in it, its been having a hard time getting out of its own way.

[Glorywagon]

Thank its cheaper to put in octane booster?

[Glorywagon]

I wouldn't say that it is 100% required, however I only use premium fuel from chevron. Just my preference.

If you notice it knocking or pinging then you might wanna start using a better grade of fuel.

premium fuel from chevron

They get it form the same place as shell or anyone else.

[luxuryrules]

Thank its cheaper to put in octane booster?

Eighteen gallon tank and, assuming a 30 cent/gallon difference, means that premium will cost you an extra $5.40 per tank. Find a bottle of octane booster (that actually works) for less than that, and you're in business.

Hint: when I was selling car parts, we didn't have anything on the shelf that was that cheap.

[Mikey_23_ny1]

Eighteen gallon tank and, assuming a 30 cent/gallon difference, means that premium will cost you an extra $5.40 per tank. Find a bottle of octane booster (that actually works) for less than that, and you're in business.

Hint: when I was selling car parts, we didn't have anything on the shelf that was that cheap.

I second that!!! ;)

[JP]

Where I buy gas, premium is $0.20 higher than regular. So that's $3.60 per tank extra. I can't buy breakfast for that at McDonalds. :p

[jamies98lsc]

you're right 3.60 would get you a hash brown and a small coffee, i'm not fat, but that wont satisfy my belly!!!! if you are filling up then no, going to premium will not make you spend much more. either way, these cars dont like regular, i have tried it all in all 5 of my marks and they all ran their best and got the best mpg on high test.

[93' Blue on blue]

I think for large luxo cruisers, our cars are pretty economical. So what if you have to pay an extra few bux for good gas? Thats life.

[Glorywagon]

I solved my problem on gas on Tuesdays they sell prem. for the same price as regular.:)

[94 LSC]

One other thing, if you run cheap gas every time you step on the gas the car will knock until the knock sensor hears the detonation and backs off of the timing. Next time you are at the drive through, open your window and step on the gas when you are next to the building. You will probably hear the car knocking before the system adjusts the timing. (WARNING: Don't recreate the Burger King commercial where the guy pushes the two cars ahead of him!)

[Glorywagon]

I been running a mid grade right now i didn't hear any pinging.

Now I'm wondering if I should change brands of oil.
Ive always used rotella 15 w 40 w
This Mark VIII has mobil 1 syn. And Ive never used syn. oils.

[bojo68]

I been running a mid grade right now i didn't hear any pinging.

Now I'm wondering if I should change brands of oil.
Ive always used rotella 15 w 40 w
This Mark VIII has mobil 1 syn. And Ive never used syn. oils.

Markvii's use 5w-30, rotella's fine, synthetic is fine too, but at least used to be considerably more expensive. Myself, I"m staying with dinosaur based oils until I see evidence of extended oil change intervals working with synthetics, unless I start wantin to make serious hp.(1000+)

I run regular in mine, but then the way I drive it doesn't matter. Now if I was figuring to do some hard running, I'd buy premium, but I'm getting over 17mpg in town, that ought to tell ya how hard I step on it.

[luxuryrules]

Rotella does not make a 5w30.

Danny, use six quarts of 5w30 and a good quality filter. These motors have tighter tolerances than what you're used to, so using heavy duty diesel oil is a no-no.

I can attest to the benefits of synthetic and would kindly refer you to some educational reading by our very own Kit Sullivan:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00105.html

If you'd prefer to stick with something more conventional, use Motorcraft oil and filters. Both are excellent quality for a very competitive price, and because they are Ford stuff you can't go wrong.

[Glorywagon]

Rotilla makes a syn. oil. Maybe;)

[bojo68]

Rotella does not make a 5w30.

Danny, use six quarts of 5w30 and a good quality filter. These motors have tighter tolerances than what you're used to, so using heavy duty diesel oil is a no-no.

I can attest to the benefits of synthetic and would kindly refer you to some educational reading by our very own Kit Sullivan:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00105.html

If you'd prefer to stick with something more conventional, use Motorcraft oil and filters. Both are excellent quality for a very competitive price, and because they are Ford stuff you can't go wrong.

Interesting read!:) It more or less goes along with my point, but gives much better detail, amongst other things. For the record, I too use Mobil 1, occasionally, and while it's good, that stuff will run through holes other stuff won't.(why is explained in the article) I put it in one car, and it smoked and leaked like a big dog, Flat wouldn't hold it in. It was so bad that you couldn't drive it on the street without being targeted for pollution. I drove that car for years after that on dino oil. Most of the stuff I drive is older, and it's seldom that anything comes along that's worth risking the expense and possible loss of the Mobil 1.

Evidently your experience with ford is different than mine, mine is don't EVER trust them, and best to deal with them only when you know more about what they're doing than they do. Guess I'm not really a ford guy, they occasionally make something that stands out though.

You know of any recent oil/filter tests??

[Glorywagon]

Rotella does not make a 5w30.

Danny, use six quarts of 5w30 and a good quality filter. These motors have tighter tolerances than what you're used to, so using heavy duty diesel oil is a no-no.

I can attest to the benefits of synthetic and would kindly refer you to some educational reading by our very own Kit Sullivan:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00105.html

If you'd prefer to stick with something more conventional, use Motorcraft oil and filters. Both are excellent quality for a very competitive price, and because they are Ford stuff you can't go wrong.

I can attest to the benefits of synthetic and would kindly refer you to some educational reading by our very own Kit Sullivan:

Thanks after reading that I thank I'll stick with Mobil One .;) Thanks

[luxuryrules]

Evidently your experience with ford is different than mine, mine is don't EVER trust them, and best to deal with them only when you know more about what they're doing than they do. Guess I'm not really a ford guy, they occasionally make something that stands out though.

You know of any recent oil/filter tests??

Ford experiences notwithstanding, I have found that 99% of the time, using an original Ford part on a Ford is the hands down best thing to do. There are a few notable exceptions, but for the most part it is the safest and most reliable. See how long a Ford TFI module lasts versus a Wells or GP Sorensen one. Or how long Ford air suspension components last versus AAS. Or try those cheapie indonesian spark plug wires (and see if the car even runs right with them, lol).
And yes, there have been plenty of times that, while wrenching on these cars, I have wanted to strangle a Ford engineer. Most of those times I understand the reason they did something the way they did (yes, there is actually method behind their madness).

Recent ones? Nope. Use Blackstone labs, or a similar service, if you're that serious about it. I've always been curious but lacked the motivation.

I have heard of a guy that uses Motorcraft 5w20 in a Gallardo. Allegedly, he's got lower zinc and sulfur content than he ever did with Lamborghini's factory oil.

[bojo68]

Heh, I've talked with some ford engineers, and they aren't as dumb as they would appear. I think a large part of it it's a management problem, and unless I miss my guess, Jerry Wroblowski would agree.
Will definitely agree with you ign points though. There ARE some things I prefer to get from ford. Usually it's stuff they've been sued over, or know they can be. It used to be NAPA had echlin and that was as good or better than factory, but lately NAPA seems to be doing all the same stupid stuff everybody else is. Have no idea if there stuff's any good anymore, they act like autozone without the price now.

[cason1]

I ran mobil 1 in my Towncar form 140k up to about 200k when I could no longer afford $6 a quart. I now use Super Tech synthetic 5w30 at Walmart along with a Super Tech filter. Now at 235k and no issues.

[slowpoker]

Regarding octane in gasoline; the higher the octane, the less explosive the fuel is. If your engine knocks or pings when a very low grade of fuel is in the tank, you can mix into the tank, a proportionate amount of higher octane gas as to make your own blend, say 1/2 and 1/2 or put in even a few gallons of the expensive stuff at the same time you top it off with the regular.
Here is something else; Ever notice that your car runs better on rainy, foggy, damp days? That moisture in the air acts to make the fuel less explosive as if it had more octane. On an old high compression engine car, I used to have a jar with plain water where a hose from the manifold vacuum would aspirate some air from the jar above the water level in it but the air to replace that being sucked out came in through a small 1/4" tube that was submerged in that water in the jar but the jar had a tight lid as to make the inlet air bubble the water in the jar and the vacuum from the manifold sucked this misty air. Sort of a hookah or water-pipe for smoking. I did not have to use high test gas even though I could have manually retarded the timing. Not hard or expensive to do. I can tell you how to make one. :D Slowpoker.

[Glorywagon]

Not to change the subject But will We use to run dirt track Chevrolet race car with a power glide transmission.We use to go through about one a month.
My transmission man said use 80 wt. gear lube in it. Bingo Never had to rebuild another one.
(Not recommended ) But it did do the job.

[bojo68]

Not to change the subject But will We use to run dirt track Chevrolet race car with a power glide transmission.We use to go through about one a month.
My transmission man said use 80 wt. gear lube in it. Bingo Never had to rebuild another one.
(Not recommended ) But it did do the job.

Gonna start telling old stories are ya?? Matched and raised to 140w!:)
I used to run a 63 ford pu with a REAL tired 235 chev in it(NO, I didn't put it there) 140w in the crankcase all the way...never quit....Course the axles kept sailing out so it wasn't like it was a long test. Do remember getting up into Canada and back with it though.

[turborich]

premium fuel from chevron

They get it form the same place as shell or anyone else.

Chevron has a techron additive in it. It is classified as a top tier fuel.

The fuel may be the same, but the additive is not. Different parts of the country may have differnt fuel. better or worse, Out west it's fairly common knowledge that chevron is a premium fuel.

Why do the big 3 US auto makers use chevron to test their engines when it comes to very strict emissions test?

Everyone will have their own fuel or gas station that they preffer. Find a good fuel & stick to it. I would NEVER run anything less then premium in my mark VIII.:)

[bojo68]

The way I understand it, all the fuel comes from the same sources, and when a truck for whatever co. pulls in to load, the driver puts in a credit card type thing and the additives for that brand are mixed in as truck is loaded.
Here on the coast, if there's a ship waiting to unload they have to pay demurrage on the ship if the tanks have no room for the load, hence the price fluctuations.

[Glorywagon]

Well just burned my first tank oh gas (regular) average 25.3 mpg city and highway mostly highway tho.didn't seem to rattle bang or knock.
But remember I'm 65 retired and in no hurry at all. I'm the old fart thats in you young folks way.;)

[Philip]

It always runs better with a chill in the air and the A/C compressor off....lol!

[bojo68]

Well just burned my first tank oh gas (regular) average 25.3 mpg city and highway mostly highway tho.didn't seem to rattle bang or knock.
But remember I'm 65 retired and in no hurry at all. I'm the old fart thats in you young folks way.;)

I saw you the other day, was out jogging and passed you going up a hill...:)

[conti2.0]

Chevron has a techron additive in it. It is classified as a top tier fuel.



Around where i live, chevron is one of the last gas stations to not add ethanol. the ways that gas stations are trying to cut corners are really starting to get me mad. I had to sit through television commercials at a shell last week. they actually had tv's above the pump running advertisments for a major tv channel (CBS or something equivelant).

[luxuryrules]

I got to watch the weather forecast last time I filled up :)

Followed by an ad for some delicious snacks that I needed to get inside before I hit the road...

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Did you know, that now, they are showing pornography at the gas pumps?
That way, you can watch someone else being screwed while you are!


(If that's too vulgar mods and Kat, I'll gladly remove it, no harm intended, just a joke that works well with the current gas prices) :)

[bojo68]

Did you know, that now, they are showing pornography at the gas pumps?
That way, you can watch someone else being screwed while you are!


(If that's too vulgar mods and Kat, I'll gladly remove it, no harm intended, just a joke that works well with the current gas prices) :)

I'd heard that Ethyl got pumped there.

[mikemark8]

I had a 93 and now a 96,only occasionally use high octane (like very hot weather in periods of all city driving)- I have never heard engine knock on either mark, and with the thousands of gallons I have put into the two cars over the past 6 years at .25-.30 a gallon, I have to figure I've saved about 350 to 450 dollars in that time-enough to replace the tired JBL head unit and 10 disc changer that did not work often with a nice JVC and 12 disc and have enough left over to buy a working, used front air spring. If it knocked, I'd LIMP to a gas station and top it off with 93, but it never does. I get 17 to 18 in mostly city driving and usually better than 27 on the highway, and I do the Seafoam thing through the intake a couple of time a year to remove carbon, which I think matters with regards to engine knock. Plus, I hate giving Exxon-Mobile, Texaco, BP or Sunoco any more of my money-I have seen my monthly gas purchases go from about $250 a month to about $425 in the past year and a half, that is too much IMO, I won't spend any more if I don't have to and have no problem. I'd rather spend the extra on better, fully synthetic oil, a better oil filter with anti-drainback valve, etc. And, I (rarely) beat my car, shift kit, cold air intake, x-pipe, no mufflers, nonwithstanding.
It will boogie when I want it too, I just don't drive it that way enough to warrant uverspending on gas that is not an issue anyway. My 2 cents.