Fuel
Fuel
Senior Member
Joined: 03-06-2010
Posts: 6,869
From: Ohio
The 2.4L has a "recommended" rating for premium fuel... Note, that's not the same as "required".
You may get a little more power and fuel economy with premium in the 2.4L, some people have, some say they didn't. You would have to work out the cost factor and see if it's worth it to run premium. The car will safely run regular fuel.
You may get a little more power and fuel economy with premium in the 2.4L, some people have, some say they didn't. You would have to work out the cost factor and see if it's worth it to run premium. The car will safely run regular fuel.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Senior Member
Joined: 08-03-2010
Posts: 3,564
From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-07-2008
Posts: 1,051
From: Wisconsin
There's a saying, your mileage may vary. In this case literally. Every "premium optional" car has different behavioral characteristics with different grades of gas. Couple that with driving style and climate and no two drivers are going to have exactly the same experience.
I used to have a '99 Cadillac Catera. The most fun car I've ever owned. It was premium optional. No real difference in gas mileage but the power increase was noticeable. At the time premium was about .20¢ more than regular (which was around $2.50 a gal) so it wasn't a killer. Premium was more fun.
The HHR LT with 2.4 was the replacement for the Catera. I ran a month of each grade. With premium I got slightly better mileage. No noticeable power difference in city driving, but definitely more responsive at freeway speeds. At $4.00 gal and .20¢ a gallon more, I actually saved about $200 a year using premium. So for a very long time I ran premium in my HHR. When the gap between premium and regular widened to .60¢ in our area (and now it's a .70¢ difference) there is no longer a point to running premium.
My advice is to try it for yourself. Keep track of your mileage for a month using regular. Run the tank as low as possible. Run another month with premium and track the mileage. Make notes on overall performance, freeway entrances, passing, etc. Then decide if the extra money is worth it to you.
Efficiency.
I used to have a '99 Cadillac Catera. The most fun car I've ever owned. It was premium optional. No real difference in gas mileage but the power increase was noticeable. At the time premium was about .20¢ more than regular (which was around $2.50 a gal) so it wasn't a killer. Premium was more fun.
The HHR LT with 2.4 was the replacement for the Catera. I ran a month of each grade. With premium I got slightly better mileage. No noticeable power difference in city driving, but definitely more responsive at freeway speeds. At $4.00 gal and .20¢ a gallon more, I actually saved about $200 a year using premium. So for a very long time I ran premium in my HHR. When the gap between premium and regular widened to .60¢ in our area (and now it's a .70¢ difference) there is no longer a point to running premium.
My advice is to try it for yourself. Keep track of your mileage for a month using regular. Run the tank as low as possible. Run another month with premium and track the mileage. Make notes on overall performance, freeway entrances, passing, etc. Then decide if the extra money is worth it to you.
Efficiency.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-06-2010
Posts: 6,869
From: Ohio
The 2.4L will jack up the timing to just short of detonation, sensed via the knock sensor, depending on the octane of the fuel. This can create more power compared to a lower octane fuel.
It's described in the owner's manual.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-15-2013
Posts: 406
From: Cleveland. Ohio
Cool. Thanks! I guess it can only imply to vvt engine?