To Save Money on Gas, Stop Buying Premium

Modern Engines Make Allowances for Lower Octane

Published: 03/10/2011 - by Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor, and Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor

The average national retail price of premium self-serve gasoline currently is topping $3.78 a gallon. Fuel costs are leaping by nearly 40 cents a month. And drivers who are pumping premium are undoubtedly asking themselves if they can safely switch to regular, which is about 20 cents a gallon cheaper. The answer is yes.

You'll find in today's automobiles that advances in engine technology mean that even if the owner's manual recommends premium gasoline, the car will typically run on regular without knocking. Its performance will suffer only slightly: Perhaps it might be a half-second slower from ... Back to article

By famof3kids
on 03/10/11
9:33 AM PST

Interesting Ford/GM/Chrysler have almost no cars that 'require' premium.

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By ianw33
on 03/25/11
9:05 AM PST

If you take the average difference of 20 cents between regular and premium, then multiply it by the average gallon size of a tank (15 gallons).... you would only be saving $3 per fill up by using regular. Not really worth it. You can save more by just driving smarter, or less. Fuel your car with what it was designed to be fueled with.

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By kalos
on 04/05/11
12:38 AM PST

This article didn't discuss the simple expedient of using mid-grade gas. In many gas stations, the difference between regular and premium exceeds 30 cents. At least half of this can be recovered by using mid-grade or blending. Yes, I'll keep the $1.50 per tank difference. Engine performance and mileage probably doesn't suffer at all.

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By rdaex1
on 04/14/11
7:54 AM PST

Lets try to focus on more fuel savings ideas that may ruin your car! 1) Drive 50 in the fast lane, slow and steady saves fuel!! Just dont get run over! 2) Take corners as fast as possible to minimize the need for acceleration 3) Coast through red lights, eliminating more acceleration Seriously edmunds.. youre better than this

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By guillermoii
on 04/14/11
8:05 AM PST

Why was Suzuki not on either list? And the simple Honda Civic 4 cyl REQUIRES premium? I question your list. Using regular gas just won't give you the added octane to give you the boost the car was designed to have. REQUIRED is a market ploy.

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By centurion3
on 04/14/11
12:22 PM PST

Great article. With my 2010 Mini Cooper S, I was wondering about the grade of fuel. Now I know. Thanks.John K.

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By Fiifi
on 04/15/11
10:05 AM PST

What the hell, so I click on the link to see the chick and she's no where to be found. I see what you did there, Edmunds! Not funny, I tell ya, not funny at all!

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