[DasBlitz]

I recently talked to a friend and we had the discussion on whether or not one of our buddies vehicles needed premium gas. Now the vehicle is a VW Jetta 1.8T I am not sure if it is recommended I checked online it seems it might be. Now that is not the issue. If the manual recommends it then that is fine but I don't think it is fully needed. Because I also read online people stating it will be fine with regular.

That makes sense for me considering I owned a '06 VW Passat 2.0T. And I used regular I had no need to get a bunch of power out of it and it still works great to this day. Now the only reason why I think my friend should still use premium is because the previous owner did so it might screw it up?

Not sure so I am asking you guys, Now to make it BMW related so it can stay in this section. Who here uses premium and should I? I have a '07 328i sedan.

Thanks.

[LEDZEP]

[Josh49]

Yes. Yes. And yes.

That being said, it also depends on how you drive it. If you drive around at WOT (like I do), and are constantly pushing it hard, pushing it hard up hills, etc, you should be using premium.

If you drive around like a granny, never take it above 3K RPM, you're probably not going to knock. But sell your car stat and give it to someone who will appreciate it more..

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by Josh49

Yes. Yes. And yes.

That being said, it also depends on how you drive it. If you drive around at WOT (like I do), and are constantly pushing it hard, pushing it hard up hills, etc, you should be using premium.

If you drive around like a granny, never take it above 3K RPM, you're probably not going to knock. But sell your car stat and give it to someone who will appreciate it more..

The engine has had no issues at all to this point. Does all of a sudden putting premium allow me to go crazier. I really don't see the point in having a higher octane when for the most part you are driving normal(not granny). But normal. And that is why I am trying to get more info to see what I should do. Also the point of my friend. Again year with regular gas Passat is perfect.

And I enjoy my car.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by DasBlitz

The engine has had no issues at all to this point. Does all of a sudden putting premium allow me to go crazier. I really don't see the point in having a higher octane when for the most part you are driving normal(not granny). But normal. And that is why I am trying to get more info to see what I should do. Also the point of my friend. Again year with regular gas Passat is perfect.

And I enjoy my car.

That's awesome.. Good to hear..

There's a lot of posts on this already. Search for 'premium gasoline'. You'll start to see a lot of posts on the topic.. I think the conclusion (as I perceived) is that most people on this website are performace orientated, and prefer to use premium gas. Many calculate the difference between the two and conclude that on a 40K car, saving xxx money is not worth it..

Personally, I would never put a lower grade octance in the car than the car recommended. But like I said, I drive my car well..

If what you are doing works for you, and you haven't had any problems, your engine is not knocking, then go for it. Maybe try a load of 93 one time, see if you notice any difference. For a normal driving style I really don't think you would..

Again, this is just my opinion. I'm sure there are many others..

Good luck, and enjoy the ride..

[DasBlitz]

I sort of realize asking on a forum like this is not to smart. Considering everyone will want the best for the car etc. and everyone here are huge car enthusiast. But just wanted to get some extra information on it. Because my buddy will not be driving hard at all maybe occasionally but for the most part will only be going to work etc. So I was wondering if it would be an issue at all for him. It seems this is a similar to the manual vs auto debate. Just depends on opinion.

I'll give premium a try this weekend though Josh. I have a funny feeling by next monday you will have made me look like a fool.

Thanks.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by DasBlitz

I sort of realize asking on a forum like this is not to smart. Considering everyone will want the best for the car etc. and everyone here are huge car enthusiast. But just wanted to get some extra information on it. Because my buddy will not be driving hard at all maybe occasionally but for the most part will only be going to work etc. So I was wondering if it would be an issue at all for him. It seems this is a similar to the manual vs auto debate. Just depends on opinion.

I'll give premium a try this weekend though Josh. I have a funny feeling by next monday you will have made me look like a fool.

Thanks.

No problem.. See if it's smoother, faster throttle response, more torque for throttle input, etc.. I'd be curious your findings..

You should have someone else fill up the tank, so there is no placebo effect.. Have a Tank 1, and Tank 2, and compare the two. Then have the person tell you which tank was which..

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by Josh49

No problem.. See if it's smoother, faster throttle response, more torque for throttle input, etc.. I'd be curious your findings..

You should have someone else fill up the tank, so there is no placebo effect.. Have a Tank 1, and Tank 2, and compare the two. Then have the person tell you which tank was which..

haha the idea of having someone else fill up is a good idea. Because I have the feeling I will assume it is better. I will try and figure something out that way I can fully know if there was a change and let you guys know.

Off topic, What area are you from Josh? I am currently in Mass, more central Mass area.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by DasBlitz

haha the idea of having someone else fill up is a good idea. Because I have the feeling I will assume it is better. I will try and figure something out that way I can fully know if there was a change and let you guys know.

Off topic, What area are you from Josh? I am currently in Mass, more central Mass area.

Just north of Boston..

[BK]

As you've been told, this is a

But seriously, do the calculations. It might be an eye-opener to realize how little money you save using regular gas instead of premium.

[purplewidow]

you guys are idiots if you don't use 93 or 92 if your do not have 93....you are messing with the ecu and you are making the air nastier than it already is y saving a couple hundo a year!!!! keep the earth cleaner and your car faster and better b/c of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
________
Zx14 Vs Hayabusa

[dmboone25]

I do use premium--always have in my E92--so I really don't know if it would run differently on the regular. I have heard that the premium is actually needed for the best performance--and since we all have the ultimate driving machine, performance is definately important.

[328ichris]

The manual recommends premium, but says it is okay to use regular.

[tctic]

Using premium will only do good to your car. Some gas brands have more detergents in their premium brand so it will help maintain your engine better, lower emission and better performance. I've been using octane 92 on my 325i ever since it was new and lately I've switched to 94 octane and gone through one tank of it. I can definitely feel a difference in the higher end of the power band. It revs smoother and faster. In normal driving, the difference is not noticeable. But my fuel consumption meter (though always optimistic) tells me that I am gaining fuel economy too. So for me, its definitely worth it.

Presumably most if not all recent cars should be able to take advantage of premium gas in some ways. Its just how much advantage there is. And the only way to find out is to try it out for a few tanks and see. Or if you don't mind paying a small extra to the fuel cost (really, it's not that much to fill up premium when you look at it) go for premium.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by 328ichris

The manual recommends premium, but says it is okay to use regular.

Does it really? I never noticed whether it said "recommended" or "required" for 91.

[328ichris]

Originally Posted by GregL

Does it really? I never noticed whether it said "recommended" or "required" for 91.

I drive a 328i, not a 335i. That probably has a significant difference. But my owners manual says it is okay to use regular. I don't, but it says it is okay and won't harm the motor.

[742]

The knock sensors will retard the timing if lower octane fuel is used. But keep in mind that detonation must occur first for this process to start. And detonation is what we are talking about--"knock" is simply a nicer word for explosions occuring in your cylinders.

Retarded timing also drives up engine temps, and I wonder if this has something to do with the sludge problems in some of the 1.8T engines.

I have a 1.8T Passat and a 325i. The manuals call for 91 ocatane (US method) or better, and that what they get. My view is that if I wanted lawn mower engine technology I would have visted my local Ford dealer.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by 742

And detonation is what we are talking about--"knock" is simply a nicer word for explosions occuring in your cylinders.

False. Explosions occuring in your cylinders are a good thing. Explosions in your cylinder occur every power stroke, and without them, our cars wouldn't be going anywhere. Knock is a term used to describe autoignition. The air/fuel mixture reaches it's ignition point from high pressure and temperature during the compression cycle and ignites before the spark plug ignites it (when your engine wants to ignite it).

[canucklion]

and unicorns and dragons are real too

Originally Posted by purplewidow

you guys are idiots if you don't use 93 or 92 if your do not have 93....you are messing with the ecu and you are making the air nastier than it already is y saving a couple hundo a year!!!! keep the earth cleaner and your car faster and better b/c of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by purplewidow

you guys are idiots if you don't use 93 or 92 if your do not have 93....you are messing with the ecu and you are making the air nastier than it already is y saving a couple hundo a year!!!! keep the earth cleaner and your car faster and better b/c of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm certain you don't have a clue in the world what you are talking about..

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by canucklion

and unicorns and dragons are real too

Haha, saw that post at the same time you did..

[Revlis]

I wouldn't recommend using anything less than OEM recommendations. There are some guidelines in the manual.