Thanks for all the explanations. I'll have to do some experimenting, but so far I'm happy with the lower price :)

 

Maybe a lower octane is available at lower sea levels...

 

I've seen 85 in Wyoming.

 

Free! I'm more of a whiskey man so I'll drink whatever you have. My taste for beer tends to change. Lately if I buy beer for myself it's been Red Stripe. If I decide to grab a beer out of the fridge it's usually a Labatts Blue Light because that's what the wife drinks. The old fall back cheap beer of preference is The King of Beers Bud. Now get me on booze and it's a different story. I absolutely have to drink top shelf liquor. I refuse to drink swill. Even if I'm at a function or open bar where they're serving free well drinks rest assured I'm buying. The next time you are around Rochester we will DEFINITELY get a drink.

 

I was told buy my dealer to NOT use Premium in in the new HHR We were told to NOT put anything lower than 87.

Wonder why they told us that.. we have been using the cheap stuff in it.

 

Chevy only recommends premium for the 2.4. If you have the 2.2 you are supposed to be use regular.

 

Geez. I wish I had read this thread before I just filled up my 2.4L HHR with premium. I could have saved about $4.00. This is just my 3rd fill up. The first courtesy of the dealer, the second I used regular because I didn't realize premium was recommended. I didn't notice any pinging but the car did seem a little sluggish but then I am coming from a Dodge RAM1500 with a hemi engine so maybe that is what I am noticing. I am heading for a 225 mile trip tomorrow so I will keep an eye on the mpg's down and then fill up with regular for the trip back and see how much, if any difference there is.

 

93 octane? can't get that out here in cali. I only use 91(the highest out here) It costs a whopping $3 more a fill up. Since I don't drive much, no big deal to me, However, if I drove more I would be more intentive. Todd (Uma)

PS. the manual says only premium for the 2.4L, I will stick with that. I may be throwing away a whole $10 a month, but Uma is worth it.