Can I use regular gas for a long highway trip?

[atikovi]

I need to drive my '97 limo 1000 miles from Florida to DC. Can I use regular gas? It's a low stress ride, flat highway and cruise on 65 most of the way.

[submariner409]

Not a problem. I believe your manual says that premium fuel is "recommended", but 87 will run just fine as the knock sensor will control timing to prevent detonation. If you experience anything more than a slight ping in a passing situation, at your leisure top up a partially full tank with 91/93. Otherwise you could slide up to mid-grade 89 and check that out. I would not run 87 while mountain climbing or driving aggressively for extended periods.

[AL Deville]

Why?

lets say you get 15 miles a gallon, it would take about 66 gallons to go 1000miles..
Now lets suppose the regular gas (mid grade) is 10 cents less a gallon then premium...that means it woud cost you $6.60 for the entire trip..
Suppose its 15 cents more a gallon for premium, that would still mean its only gonna cost you another $9.90..

(unless your talking the real cheap stuff IE 87, then it would cost you "about" another $13.20)

so for around somewhere between $6.60, $9.90, or $13.20 (give or take couple dollars), you could run er with peace of mind..worth it?
Just my thoughts..

AL

[Ranger]

Yes you can run 87 with no problems. Ran my '97 Deville that way for 3 years. Never noticed any difference, except in the price I paid for gas.

[submariner409]

AlDeville, When was your last run down I-95 from DC to Palm Beach ? Your gas price differences are way off !! (about .30 - .35 difference/gal.) I wish they were that close together !!! ......and he IS talking of running 87 all the way up.

atikovi, regardless of which gasoline you choose to run on the trip, hit a West Marine in Florida and pick up two 20 oz. jugs of TECHRON fuel system cleaner. Use a full 20 oz. in each of your first two tanks of gas. Perfect trip to clean up the valves and combustion chambers. See how easy it is to spend the "savings" ???

[krimson_cardnal]

It might seem like sub's suggesting the old snake oil, but, he's on target with his suggestion. Last year I discovered Shell's Top Tier fuel on a trip that took me from NY thru Atlanta down to Biloxi then over to Florida back thru Georgia to NY. Ran that stuff and I'll tell you it's like sending the engine to the dry cleaners. Up here I can't fin any Top Tier fuel, but the additive is doing the same thing. I don't use it on the routine, but any time I'll be in the open I try to.

I am with AL Deville, however. We're really not talking about that much difference per tank. I'll go mid range every now and again to try and keep my cost conscious conscience clear [???] but the Oil CEO's should be thinking that way and get prices [and their historic profits] in line with reality. And as Ranger points out the NorthStar will take 87 and be happy so why not, I just don't know, all too subjective. K_C

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

I know in my car it says to run regular but I started putting premium in this winter and I cannot believe the difference. The car runs so much smoother. I don't necessarily get better mileage, but the engine hesitates less and has a much more consistent power band. I am gonna keep putting in premium because when you thing about it, its only $2 more a tank to be giving your baby the good stuff.

[bubbleh1]

Can using the TECHRON fuel system cleaner help the valve and combustion chambers during daily driving?

[submariner409]

bubbleh1, Do a Google of "top tier gasoline" and "techron". Or.........spend some time searching the same in these forums.

[krimson_cardnal]

That would be a yes! Do the search and see. K_C

[Sergey21]

Been running 87 for about two months now. No difference in mileage or mechanical. Buy 3 bottles of high octane boost, pour 1 into each tank. Cheaper? Yes...Same as 89 - 91 octane? Yes.

[Mark C]

That octane boost stuff is a ripoff, says it raises octane 10 points (or some other amount), what it doesn't tell you is 10 points equals 1 octane rating points so you've raised your octane to 88 for the price of the can of booster. Plus each can costs what 4 bucks? If the price difference between premium and 87 is 30 cents thats just the difference of 12 gallons of gas. Buy the premium if thats what your car requires. My 97 STS gets 18.4 mpg on 89 octane and 21.7 on 91 octane, never dared run it on 87 yet.

Heres a test on some octane boosters and the results.

http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0...ted/index.html

[Sergey21]

There is "illegal" octane boost, and no...not the ones that say BARELY LEGAL! I mean the real thing, you can buy it at napa autoparts, and you can feel a difference. How does your sts get that good a mileage? I get 16.0 in my 98 DeVille, 4.6 N*. Freeway like 28.0.

[krimson_cardnal]

Top Tier fuel and the techron are not octane boosters. They work to reduce the sludge build in the engine, all parts that receive a fuel/air mix. Also reduce carbon build up in cylinders/valves. Search it out here and online for complete info.

Not sure the octane boost is something you're going to want to add to the fuel. Question its long term effect on injectors and if it will do anything for MPG, which I seriously doubt. Been talked about around here before - I'm sure Ranger will pick up on this one. Thought the horse was dead, right. K_C

[submariner409]

Well, yeah, but..........