I bought a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am ws6 (ram air) w/ 50k miles. the manual and gas tank say premium is recommended, but it will run on regular or mid grade. Would this be ok, and what impact will it have on performance and gas mileage. I'm thinking about the cost of gas and the fact that it inhales it on the daily work drive.
thanks!
2006-09-11 05:34:29 · 9 answers · asked by icnmayhem 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
The car is designed to run on premium, and will get slightly better performance (power, economy) as the engine controller advances ignition timing when it can.
It will run on regular since the engine controller retards the ignition timing when it senses knocking (that lower octane fuel may cause). Performance is slightly reduced.
If you drive with high engine loads at low RPM, use premium. If you have a 6-speed, this is particularly important if you pass anyone on the highway in 6th gear or if you skip from 1st to 4th around town.
But if you're easy on the throttle and would like to save a little at the pump, the car will run on regular.
By the way, the car can be fuel-efficient if you're careful. I took a 300 mile trip on the highway with my cruise set at 55 (hard to do) and I actually got 30 mpg.
2006-09-11 05:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by Otto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drive a Camaro SS (LS1) and I only use premium. You can use lower grades but you will suffer in performance and in gas mileage. Plus the gas is dirtier with sediment, so it will bog down your engine over time. the claener the gas=the better burn as the result of the gas needing a lower spark temp to ignitie.
Zenas Walter (above post) doesn't know what he's talking about. Using premium will actually extend the life of your engine. Otherwise, whats the point. What an idiot.
My opinion, use your T/A as just a weekend warroir/cruiser. It will keep the mileage and the cost of gas down.
2006-09-13 11:23:41 · answer #2 · answered by diamond_joe1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 1980 Firebird Formula and my 1981 Trans Am have always run better on premium. What the manual asks for is what you should use. When I worked for Pontiac, we always recommended using what the manufacturer states. When I had a Corvette, I always used premium. Even though gas prices are a bit steep, I would rather get great performance out of my Firebird. Plus, if you can find it, my Firebird always ran better on Mobil gas or Shell.
2006-09-12 17:57:32 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Premium is recommended, but if you're not a hotfoot use the regular.
BTW, Premium where not needed will INCREASE carbon build up, as LOWER combustion temperatures won't burn the excess carbon off. We had lots of problems in the 80s with people running premium because they thought it was better, and wound up with so much carbon on the intake valves they started to get misses and low compression issues. Switching to regular solved most of those problems...
2006-09-11 17:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by InjunRAIV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it will, actually in 2001 was when a lot of vehicle manufacturers started asking people to use only the lower grade fuel in their cars, as the higher the grade, the higher the temperature gets in the cylinder, thus shortening the life of the vehicles engine. The performance and mileage shouldn't be affected.
2006-09-11 12:43:15 · answer #5 · answered by Zenas Walter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok it will work unfortunatly premium is the best because it has less carbon build up you will get better gas milage with premium it takes less fuel for more combustion.use the recommended it will make your beast last longer
2006-09-11 12:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will run on regular but it will run better and get more to the gal. on the mid grade.
2006-09-16 00:36:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should not run 87 in your car because it will make the engine ping when you accelerate and if you keep running 87 in your car it will eventually ruin your engine.
2006-09-17 12:39:47 · answer #8 · answered by Rob D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not for long.
2006-09-14 18:36:04 · answer #9 · answered by Toma 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋