I have a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado and I heard super unleaded will give you better gas mileage. Is this true?
2006-12-22 05:29:26 · 14 answers · asked by Cisco Kid 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Today's cars use a computer to adjust the fuel/air mixture. They detect the octane level and adjust the air level accordingly. If you've been using low-octane and you suddenly switch to high-octane the computer will make an adjustment and you'll identical performance. It won't hurt to use high octane but it won't buy you anything either.
2006-12-22 05:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by BobbyD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Higher octane ratings can give you better performance which can lead to better mileage. More of a factor is the condition of the rest of your vehicles systems that may lead to a reduction in mileage. Cars CAN NOT sense the octane of the fuel in them. Octane is the "rating" given to fuel which means at what temperature the fuel will burn, in short the higher the octane the cooler or "more controlled" the burn will be. The pinging, knocking, pre-ignition or detonantion that is heard when running low octane fuel in a car that requires high octane is the result of two flame-fronts meeting in the cylinder and thus reducing the power output from that particular ignition sequence in that cylinder. What it all comes down to is temperature in the combustion chamber. There is more heat generated by the compressing of the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder than there is by the combustion of it. Therefore if you are using high octane fuel which burns at a more controlled rate and prevents hotspotting and such you will have better performance from your vehicle and thus better mileage. HOWEVER this gain can easily be undone and become un-noticeable if you are a stop/start driver and have a tendency to accelerate/decelerate alot during driving. It will also be virtually indistinguishable in "city" conditions. If you are taking a long trip, say 500 miles plus and it will be steady driving conditions, try the premium and you will see improvement. If you are just driving around town stick with whatever the manufacturer recommends. Also on a side note, you always get more octane/dollar with premium than with mid as there is normally a 2 point jump to mid and a 4 point jump from mid to premium. Hope this helps.
2006-12-22 06:06:46 · answer #2 · answered by cyberlunge 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does. I drive a 2000 Infiniti I30 and it requires premium fuel and the gas mileage is way better than with regular. It also helps the engine run a lot better. On the other hand the price for premium is more than regular so it evens out.
P.S. I don't think your Silverado requires premium fuel so you don't have to worry about it. I personally wouldn't fill up with premium for an engine that can run on regular just because the octane level might be too high.
2006-12-22 06:58:33 · answer #3 · answered by Car freak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your car is designed to run on high octane ("super" or "premium," usually 91 or 93 octane), it will make zero difference. Higher octane rating indicates fuel that is slightly harder to ignite. This means an engine can run at higher temperatures and pressures (as many high performance engines do) without having the fuel explode when it isn't supposed to (this causes "knock" as the engine parts are in the wrong place when the fuel goes off). Some cars require it to avoid engine damage. Newer performance cars are able to compensate for lower quality fuel by altering the spark timing. This produces less power, and may decrease fuel economy. THAT is where the "super gives you better power and mileage!" myth comes from. In most cars, it is not true. Unless you're having problems with knock, you won't see any kind of difference whatsoever running premium over regular.
2016-05-23 16:04:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. No, dont believe that!! Super unleaded might give you one or two miles to the gallon better, but cost alot more!! People say that it makes it run better and not to buy walmart gas and such. LOAD OF CROCK!! All unleaded gas is about the same. It is coming from the same manufacturer and most likely the same truck even. Stick with 87 octane for your truck.
2006-12-22 05:36:33 · answer #5 · answered by Jr. Mechanic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are using the minimum octane recommended for your vehicle, increasing it will do absolutely nothing except cost you more with each fill up. The computer will adjust for the octane you have and the mileage and power will remain exactly the same, but you will be paying 10 cents a gallon more.
2006-12-22 05:56:54 · answer #6 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. higher octane(super unleaded) gas only helps prevent pre-ignition KNOCK with high compression engines. Like those in Corvettes, Porches, Lamborghinis, Ferraris... Your owners manual will give you the proper grade of gas required for your vehicle.
2006-12-22 05:38:46 · answer #7 · answered by livorno63 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cyberlunge said it best. Now that cars automatically adjust timing, you will not notice much difference. My old cars were tuned on premium and would run like crap and burn more per mile if low grade gas was used. The way my cars were set up, miles per dollars was the same, with performance to spare on premium, and a road hazard on low grade.
2006-12-22 06:32:40 · answer #8 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Bostonian gave you the right answer. The best gas mileage
come from the way you drive.
2006-12-22 06:33:26 · answer #9 · answered by Auburn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not in that vehicle. It will be a waste of money.
Running Super is only needed if your vehicle was designed for it. Use whatever the manufacturer recommends; it's right there in the owner's manual.
2006-12-22 05:32:51 · answer #10 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋