Dumb Comment & Question About Gas Type
05-26-2021, 10:25 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-29-2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Dumb Comment & Question About Gas Type
Hi, so recent gas shortage forced me to use regular gas and to my surprise the car seems to run better than on premium and I have no idea why. With premium its sluggish and not as responsive as I would expect. Yes I know it's best to go with the recommended gas than anything else but my question is will it really hurt anything in the long term if I decide to keep using regular? Any specific thing to look for? I have done several refills with regular gas in recent weeks and there is no denying that it runs better. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the previous owner was only using regular gas and now it's used to it. (I know I don't know much about this stuff so forgive me.
05-27-2021, 06:33 AM
#2
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,604
Is it at all possible that the fuel delivery guy put hi test in the regular holding tank?
Before you start running regular, try a 1/2 tank from another filling station .
If you have been filling up at the one station with hi test, and your SS is running sluggish, could it be that tank has water in it?
try a 1/2 tank of high test from a different station that pumps a different brand!
Before you start running regular, try a 1/2 tank from another filling station .
If you have been filling up at the one station with hi test, and your SS is running sluggish, could it be that tank has water in it?
try a 1/2 tank of high test from a different station that pumps a different brand!
05-27-2021, 08:24 AM
#3
Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,749
Depends on what you mean by regular. 87, 91 or 93. a stock SS is supposed to run 91, with a GMTU tune it is 93. 2.2L run fine on 87 regular.
Could be a difference in alcohol. More alcohol means more power/lower mpg.
Could be a difference in alcohol. More alcohol means more power/lower mpg.
05-27-2021, 08:35 AM
#4
Moderator
Join Date: 05-01-2014
Location: California
Posts: 7,821
Yes, there is something else going on here. The SS should NOT run better on regular gas. Perhaps the premium you were buying did not have all the good additives(like Techron, etc.), and the regular does, and has done some cleaning of the injectors.
If you keep your foot out of the throttle, you should not notice any difference between regular and premium. Also, if you keep your foot out of the throttle, you will not do any damage to the engine with regular. But if you do occasionally get on it, you need the higher octane rating of the premium.
If you keep your foot out of the throttle, you should not notice any difference between regular and premium. Also, if you keep your foot out of the throttle, you will not do any damage to the engine with regular. But if you do occasionally get on it, you need the higher octane rating of the premium.
Last edited by RJ_RS_SS_350; 06-05-2021 at 02:23 PM.
05-27-2021, 11:22 PM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-29-2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Is it at all possible that the fuel delivery guy put hi test in the regular holding tank?
Before you start running regular, try a 1/2 tank from another filling station .
If you have been filling up at the one station with hi test, and your SS is running sluggish, could it be that tank has water in it?
try a 1/2 tank of high test from a different station that pumps a different brand!
Before you start running regular, try a 1/2 tank from another filling station .
If you have been filling up at the one station with hi test, and your SS is running sluggish, could it be that tank has water in it?
try a 1/2 tank of high test from a different station that pumps a different brand!
Last edited by ibenzawla; 06-01-2021 at 01:10 PM.
05-27-2021, 11:24 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-29-2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
That makes sense. I have only been using 93 or the highest grade. Will switch to 91 the next refill. Thanks for the suggestion.
05-27-2021, 11:33 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-29-2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Yes, there is something else going on here. The SS should NOT run better on regular gas. Perhaps the premium you were buying did not have all the good additives(like Techs in, etc.), and the regular does, and has done some cleaning of the injectors.
If you keep your foot out of the throttle, you should not notice any difference between regular and premium. Also, if you keep your foot out of the throttle, you will not do any damage to the engine with regular. But if you do occasionally get on it, you need the higher octane rating of the premium.
If you keep your foot out of the throttle, you should not notice any difference between regular and premium. Also, if you keep your foot out of the throttle, you will not do any damage to the engine with regular. But if you do occasionally get on it, you need the higher octane rating of the premium.
06-01-2021, 01:07 PM
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 12-29-2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55
Where I live it's hard to find 91 which according to someone here is the recommended gas for the SS. So I've been using 89. In terms of performance its about the same as 87. If I have to choose I'll go with 87. Both seems to be better than 93 on my particular SS. Where the 93 has a clear edge is gas savings. I notice that the gas lasts longer when using 93 which is to be expected. Very weird.
06-01-2021, 01:54 PM
#10
Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,749
You don't have to take internet advice. You could consult your Owner Manual for recommendations and requirements. If you have the GMTU there is a sticker in the fuel filler port advising about the requirement.
Look at my sig before you say it.
Look at my sig before you say it.
Last edited by donbrew; 06-01-2021 at 06:42 PM.