Luxury cars switch from premium to regular-gas diet

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Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:53:11 PM

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Luxury cars switch from premium to regular-gas diet Thursday, August 07, 2008
USA Today -- DETROIT — Although there's a growing trend among automakers to recommend that drivers pump premium into their cars, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) are quietly touting the fact that some of their luxury models take regular gas. Ford Motor's 2009 Lincoln MKS and General Motors' Cadillac CTS were both engineered to run just as well on regular-grade fuel as the high-octane stuff. By contrast, automakers recommend premium gas for nearly 62% of new vehicles on the market, up from 47% of models in 2002, according to Kelley Blue Book. Both Ford and GM are encouraging dealers and their salespeople to play up their no-premium-gas cars to potential buyers worried about the high cost of gas. It could be a key selling point at a time when consumers are seeking more fuel-efficient cars. Premium fuel generally costs about 20 cents a gallon more than regular gas.
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	Thursday, August 07, 2008 USA Today -- DETROIT — Although there's a growing trend among automakers to recommend that drivers pump premium into their cars, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) are quietly touting the fact that some of their luxury models take regular gas. Ford Motor's 2009 Lincoln MKS and General Motors' Cadillac CTS were both engineered to run just as well on regular-grade fuel as the high-octane stuff. By contrast, automakers recommend premium gas for nearly 62% of new vehicles on the market, up from 47% of models in 2002, according to Kelley Blue Book. Both Ford and GM are encouraging dealers and their salespeople to play up their no-premium-gas cars to potential buyers worried about the high cost of gas. It could be a key selling point at a time when consumers are seeking more fuel-efficient cars. Premium fuel generally costs about 20 cents a gallon more than regular gas. Visit USA Today for full article

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jim92065 Sophomore Author San Diego Posts:145 Points:30,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/22/2008 8:20:00 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	"
childoftibet Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,182 Points:16,455 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/16/2008 1:08:25 AM	Ignore childoftibet Report Abuse
	Gas is gas. It serves the purpose.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:879 Points:184,350 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 10:14:00 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	It still runs
Mad Laker Champion Author Calgary Posts:6,462 Points:225,785 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 11:38:10 AM	Ignore Mad Laker Report Abuse
	My car, a 2006 Acura TL was supposed to run on premium but all I have used is regular. The salesman told me that the only problem would be a slight drop in power. Well it's got lots of power for my needs.
kcgrl1 Rookie Author Virginia Posts:40 Points:14,515 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 10:50:55 PM	Ignore kcgrl1 Report Abuse
	With a good quality gas, I think almost any car can take regular. I have never used anything but regular,with no problems.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:879 Points:184,350 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 10:17:13 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	good idea
jim92065 Sophomore Author San Diego Posts:145 Points:30,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/13/2008 6:36:31 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	The delta used to be 10% of the cost. Now it's only 5%. Premium is actually a better deal, now, than it was a couple of years ago. [Edited by: jim92065 at 8/13/2008 5:37:01 PM EST]
FawltyPawl Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:206 Points:32,450 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:56:17 AM	Ignore FawltyPawl Report Abuse
	generally, there is only a twenty or thirty cents per gallon delta; what is the beef?
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,841 Points:747,035 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:52:35 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	It is nice to know that American manufacturers engineered that into their cars. Foreign ones did not.
irish15pilot All-Star Author Charleston Posts:510 Points:879,080 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:48:04 AM	Ignore irish15pilot Report Abuse
	The weight of the luxury car is still very heavy (4,500-6,500 lbs.)
mahenv7 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:785 Points:160,060 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:44:15 AM	Ignore mahenv7 Report Abuse
	you have to pay for it anyway
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,479 Points:347,090 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:43:29 AM	Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse
	y - if u can afford a luxury car then u shood be able to aford the gas
TheSultan Sophomore Author Rochester Posts:132 Points:46,850 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:42:36 AM	Ignore TheSultan Report Abuse
	If you can afford a "premium" vehicle I'm sure you can affoard the gas crunch.
Drill_It Veteran Author Michigan Posts:266 Points:36,600 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:42:34 AM	Ignore Drill_It Report Abuse
	All about saving money.
colin_mommy03 Rookie Author Nashville Posts:51 Points:6,725 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:31:35 AM	Ignore colin_mommy03 Report Abuse
	I have notice at some gas stations that they have those nozzles covered up or signs stating that they are out of those becasue nobody is buying them. I used to put premium gas in my tank once a month to clean it out but have since quit cause it's too much!
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:4,140 Points:1,034,345 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:30:54 AM	Ignore Lengas Report Abuse
	bought time
rogerparry All-Star Author Florida Posts:924 Points:208,895 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:29:54 AM	Ignore rogerparry Report Abuse
	An interesting article. How can they say there isn't a connection after this?
PizzaMon Sophomore Author Philadelphia Posts:125 Points:290,250 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:28:43 AM	Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse
	I would not purchase a vehicle that ran on premium gasoline only.
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,337 Points:854,080 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:26:29 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	Its the status game. Luxury is a thing, "I'm doing better than other's".
Rivermedic Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:419 Points:77,305 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:21:59 AM	Ignore Rivermedic Report Abuse
	Getting smarter.
markmoore80 All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:697 Points:257,985 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:20:10 AM	Ignore markmoore80 Report Abuse
	Premium is another scam to make more money and make 'rich folks' seem better somehow for getting 'Premium' gas (like they're above running regular). Truth be known, only 'performance' cars should run on Premium... all they would have to do to all of the 'Luxury' cars is re-tune the timming to make them run on regular.
radicale All-Star Author Calgary Posts:515 Points:150,045 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:17:51 AM	Ignore radicale Report Abuse
	Luxury car, who can afford a luxury car? I can't even afford a new one of any type!
ups4christ Rookie Author San Bernardino Posts:33 Points:15,560 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:16:00 AM	Ignore ups4christ Report Abuse
	I have never used premium, but out here the premium seems to be a bargain since its always priced about 20 cents higher than regular regardless of the price of regular. Doesn't go up based on percentages.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,122 Points:932,085 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:14:55 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	That sounds like a care dealer, fog the air with statistics..
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:7,959 Points:636,010 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:11:11 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	If the vehicle takes premium - you better not put regular in it. But why aren't all vehicles using regular? Who cares about Mid grade and Premium.. I have always owned vehicles that take only regular...
rbdesigns Veteran Author Modesto Posts:335 Points:93,195 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:08:12 AM	Ignore rbdesigns Report Abuse
	As long as it's a good quality gas, I think almost any car can take regular.
sgonza98 All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:947 Points:203,785 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:07:01 AM	Ignore sgonza98 Report Abuse
	Some automakers void warranties and ignore extended warranties if you opt to save 27 to 50 cents a gallon with regular instead of super. Frankly it's time to quit worrying about having luxury cars.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,390 Points:1,233,280 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:05:28 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	First, are they high compression? Second, are you racing it? If the answer is no, then no need for premium gas. They can always retard the timing programming slightly. Most folks wouldn't notice a difference in performance.
Egaser Sophomore Author Atlanta Posts:202 Points:102,055 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:04:01 AM	Ignore Egaser Report Abuse
	As well they should,but what about the others of us stuck having to buy premium gas?
alsal55 Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:232 Points:273,825 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:03:05 AM	Ignore alsal55 Report Abuse
	My car specifies 89 octane. I have logged 115,000 miles on it using 87 octane, with no problems. My mechanic says all I'm giving up is a little bit of performance.
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:7,665 Points:1,648,010 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 11:01:19 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	As long as you don't get frisky with the car that uses premium ... you can use regular gas.
purvismike Sophomore Author Wisconsin Posts:121 Points:46,025 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:58:46 AM	Ignore purvismike Report Abuse
	WOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Think I'll fill up at the Airport!!!
tazdriver Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,894 Points:488,450 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:57:42 AM	Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse
	If you can and not get knock. .
44Irish All-Star Author Ontario Posts:866 Points:217,975 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:55:30 AM	Ignore 44Irish Report Abuse
	I wonder if they pump it themselves or go to a full service station?
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,162 Points:939,475 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:54:59 AM	Ignore throttle Report Abuse
	About time!
frede2 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,208 Points:712,885 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:53:02 AM	Ignore frede2 Report Abuse
	Regular gas with a bit of STP occasionally shoud work.
cableman31 Veteran Author New York Posts:352 Points:346,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:50:13 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	To Gassie 1: Speak for yourself.Just because someone wants to drive a hi-end car why shouldn't he care about the price he pays for gas. Don't forget, millioniers clip cigaretts too.
FizedNH All-Star Author New Hampshire Posts:971 Points:187,700 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:48:02 AM	Ignore FizedNH Report Abuse
	About time...
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,763 Points:764,340 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:47:48 AM	Ignore tobasco Report Abuse
	If a car needed anything more expensive than 87, I would not buy it no matter the price of fuel.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,218 Points:1,484,520 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:47:41 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	I didn't know that DFleming, I always assumed that a higher grade was required if you didn't want knock. Good to know and thanks! (now to convince my Mom she can go midgrade)
DST43 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,816 Points:317,505 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:47:39 AM	Ignore DST43 Report Abuse
	u should always have a option to buy and grade u like
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:1,934 Points:217,980 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:47:01 AM	Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
	The relative extra cost for premium is actually a lot smaller than it used to be.
DFleming Veteran Author Virginia Posts:272 Points:57,320 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:45:15 AM	Ignore DFleming Report Abuse
	Most Luxury Cars nowaday have sensors that automatically adjust if you use a lower octane fuel. The main reason for premium gas is better performance.
4warned All-Star Author Michigan Posts:801 Points:536,340 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:44:08 AM	Ignore 4warned Report Abuse
	I wonder if we had just one octane of fuel. It seems resources would be concentrated and refineries better used.
Brockvillian Veteran Author Ontario Posts:392 Points:268,270 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:43:51 AM	Ignore Brockvillian Report Abuse
	That's nice! Hopefully this will be a growing trend.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,218 Points:1,484,520 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:43:04 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	I think if I did have a car that specified higher octaine I'd continue using it. For a few cents per gallon I'd rather have an operating vehicle than one with lower octaine that is in the garage because of engine problems.
techque Veteran Author St. Louis Posts:274 Points:879,405 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:42:54 AM	Ignore techque Report Abuse
	Gassie1 - gasoline should be a concern for EVERYONE. The mess we're in now is because gasoline was a concern for no-one !!
gasman50 All-Star Author Portland Posts:968 Points:740,275 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:42:05 AM	Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse
	And the news is............?
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,875 Points:1,605,690 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:41:31 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	my 08 HHR SS runs better if I put a fill of premium in every 6th or 7th fillup.
rod1965 Veteran Author Portland Posts:398 Points:51,265 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:40:29 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	Ican remember when there were only two grades of gas and there is probably someone alive that remembers only one grade. I wonder what would happen if all cars ran on the same grade of gas?