About Requirement for Premium Gas

[Charly]

I normally use what the manufacturer recommends. I had a Mercury Sable; regular was recommended. I noticed it was down on power and took it to the shop, saying I thought it needed a tune-up. They said "You were in here six months ago for a tune-up. If the computer senses knocking, it'll retard the timing. Try mid-grade." That brought back the power and I ran mid-grade until I sold it. That was 1980s technology and maybe cars are better at dealing with knock now (I'm not sure I'd notice a difference of 10hp) but I'll still run premium if that's what's recommended. I'd rather run gas that won't knock rather than force the computer to compensate for my being a cheap bastard. And more horsepower never hurts.

 

[rebel]

The key for drivers is to know whether premium gasoline is merely recommended for their car or if it's required. In today's automobiles, advances in engine technology mean that even if the owner's manual recommends premium gasoline, the car will typically run on regular without issue and won't damage the engine in any way. The car's performance might suffer only slightly: It might be a half-second slower from zero to 60 mph, for instance. But the average driver isn't likely to notice this drop-off.

 

[Ecobust]

My last two cars had the option of either premium or regular. In my Genesis coupe V6, I couldn't really tell a difference in power, but, I noticed it got better mileage on regular. In my current car, mustang turbo, you really don't have a choice; it feels AWFUL when using regular and it's so slow it could probably get smoked by a Civic. For that reason, I have used only premium for several years.

I'm so used to it now that it's no big deal to continue using it in the Stinger.

 

[Ruturaj]

The manual (shared here https://stingerforum.org/kia-stinger-owner-manuals/2018_Stinger_OM_sm.pdf) says 87 is recommended.

 

[davebo]

The manual (shared here https://stingerforum.org/kia-stinger-owner-manuals/2018_Stinger_OM_sm.pdf) says 87 is recommended.

That's interesting. I was just reading an article earlier about a recent study by AAA about how little benefit you actually get from premium fuel in cars that don't require it, so I was planning on using regular except if I ever happen to take it to a track. What's much more important to me is using good quality fuel with detergents. I remember AAA also doing a fuel study years ago with different brands' gas but it seemed like all the name-brand places in my area were fine.

 

[Bamm1]

The manual (shared here https://stingerforum.org/kia-stinger-owner-manuals/2018_Stinger_OM_sm.pdf) says 87 is recommended.

Interesting.

The EPA website lists premium fuel as recommended (I would also assume it was what was used to conduct the fuel economy testing). It lists the same for the 3.3T in the G80 and G90.

 

[Ruturaj]

Interesting.

The EPA website lists premium fuel as recommended (I would also assume it was what was used to conduct the fuel economy testing). It lists the same for the 3.3T in the G80 and G90.

Yes found it a little weird too. For high compression engine like of stingers, I would prefer premium. I think it will affect engine life (which might still be very high with normal gasoline and will never ever reach its life since other components go bad much before engine).

 

[Tvshooter]

I've run two tanks of premium 93 octane in my Gt2. Today I filled up with 87 octane ethanol free gas. My father in law mechanic (Volvo, BMW, Mercedes) says there should be no noticeable decrease in mileage (not really a concern for me), but that I should see a bit more power. I'll update in a few days, or a couple of tanks, as to what I find

 

[Euljiro1ga]

I only fill my Stinger with regular since I got it. But boy, what kind of gasoline are they selling in the US?!?!?!?!?

I was a little surprised to find out that regular gasoline in Korea 'only' has octane rating between 92-93, compared to 95 that I am used to in Europe. Premium is the same at 98.

So I grew up believing that premium gasoline is a scam, like Starbucks coffee, lol.

(I don't mean to dis the US or Starbucks, just a gentle poke. It's probably a common joke in Europe than anything.)

 

[Tvshooter]

87,89, and 93 are the octane ratings formats at most gas stations. It's almost all filled with ethanol, which means there's water in the bottom of most every fuel tank in the US.

 

[Never thought]

87,89, and 93 are the octane ratings formats at most gas stations. It's almost all filled with ethanol, which means there's water in the bottom of most every fuel tank in the US.

Nope. West Coast premium is 91. I can’t get abything higher in AZ. Outside of Costco, premium is a solid 40-50 cents more a gallon.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

87,89, and 93 are the octane ratings formats at most gas stations. It's almost all filled with ethanol, which means there's water in the bottom of most every fuel tank in the US.

Ouch! that's no good at all, but then, I guess you guys aren't paying as much for gas in comparison. It's about 5.7 USD a gallon here for regular.

There are normally only 2 options at most gas stations, regular (92-93) and premium (98), I think Caltex has 101 as an option as well.

 

[STNGRNV]

Ouch! that's no good at all, but then, I guess you guys aren't paying as much for gas in comparison. It's about 5.7 USD a gallon here for regular.

There are normally only 2 options at most gas stations, regular (92-93) and premium (98), I think Caltex has 101 as an option as well.

Regular was like 2.19 USD last time I filled up.

 

[Kia Stinger]

It must be nice to get 98 at the pump. 93 is as high as we go around here. But as mentioned, better than the 91 in some areas out west...

 

[Euljiro1ga]

It must be nice to get 98 at the pump. 93 is as high as we go around here. But as mentioned, better than the 91 in some areas out west...

It's very nice... just 6 dollars a gallon.

 

[Kia Stinger]

It's very nice... just 6 dollars a gallon.

What does 93 cost over there? We'd be happy to pay extra for higher octane if it were available...

 

[Chris]

It must be nice to get 98 at the pump. 93 is as high as we go around here. But as mentioned, better than the 91 in some areas out west...

Korean octane ratings are not the same scale as the us. Koreans use a different formula like almost the whole rest of the world. 98 there is close to 93 here.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

What does 93 cost over there? We'd be happy to pay extra for higher octane if it were available...

about 5.7 a gallon for regular 92-93. Premium is 98, it's actually a bit higher than 6 dollars a gallon.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

Korean octane ratings are not the same scale as the us. Koreans use a different formula like almost the whole rest of the world. 98 there is close to 93 here.

Oh I didn't know this. If that is the case, I may have to start filling up with premium.

In Europe, it's 95 for regular and 98 for premium, so I thought it's the same scale here in Korea.

 

[Chris]

Oh I didn't know this. If that is the case, I may have to start filling up with premium.

In Europe, it's 95 for regular and 98 for premium, so I thought it's the same scale here in Korea.

Yes Korea Europe and Australia all use one rating system for octane. (RON) America/canada uses another called AKI. Its kind like the difference between meters and feet or Celsius and Fahrenhite. The real formula is RON + MON / 2 = AKI. A simpler but not quite as accurate method is take the European/Korean method and times it by .95 to get the American number.