If a car manual only recomends premium instead of requiring it can I use regular gasoline?

Question

pontiac grand prix gxp or gtp

Answer 1

No, Lex is wrong.

Your owners manual clearly says you can use other than premium cas, but performance will be downgraded.

I use regular once in a while in my GTO, and I can't tell any difference. I do know that using regular gas doesn't cause deposits to form any faster than premium. In fact, we've found that premium can actually cause more deposits when it's used in an application that doesn't require it.

If it were my car, I'd typically run premium. But it won't hurt anything to run regular. And it won't void your warranty.

Answer 2

You will probably end up spending as much as you save with cheaper gas, lower octane is less fuel efficient and your car wont preform as well, my BMWs (95 525i and 03 x5) feel sluggish without higher octane. The long term effects that putting regular gas might cause on the car Im not sure of, but I think its best to put in a higher octane level, ot what ever is reccomended for your car. (I believe most BMWs require 91 or above?) I drive a 95 525i daily and for four years was filling up with plus gasoline (87 octane). When I started using premium gasoline (93 octane) about a month ago I noticed a significant difference in the preformance and gas mileage.

Answer 3

As long as it is a "recommendation" and not a "requirement", yes. In a lot of sports-car type of models, the manufacturer will suggest a higher octane gasoline to give more performance. The gas will burn differently and give you a bit of a performance boost, supposedly. In some models, the car will actually alert you when you are using lower grade gas. But, in those cars, they are usually just for notification. In the expensive cars such as a BMW or Mercedes, the car won't function properly.

The fact is, unless your engine requires it, go with the lowest octane that doesn't cause any knocking in your engine. If you have a new car, you shouldn't have to worry about any noise like that. Most car experts will say that the higher octane is really just more expensive and only gives you a marginal boost. Keeping your oil filter and air filter clean will ensure you more pickup. You won't notice the difference at this stage with higher octane gas.

Answer 4

Well I did not read all of the answer's but 1 & 3 are right. If you need to pass someone you'll notice the difference in power loss. An option is 90 octain instad of the 92/94 octain.

Answer 5

the only way to use low grade gas with a supercharged 3800 would be to remove the supercharger belt. Using lower grade gas with the supercharger will cause early detonation and can cause piston damage.

Paying the extra 30 cents a gallon is much cheaper them rebuilding the engine.

Answer 6

Lex is right. With computer controlled advance and higher compression pistons what is 20 cent more on the gallon? 10 gal+ $2.00 more . Go with the "Hi Test"

Answer 7

Recommends means your engine is equipt with a knock sensor.

The knock sensor prevents pre-igniton. But you'll lose power and the engine won't be detonating at the optimum point.

But yes you can use something other than premium.

Answer 8

I would suggest using at least mid-grade because my dad used regular on his station wagon and one day it wouldn't start at all. There were carbon build-ups and it had to go to the dealer to get cleaned. I know people that run premium every fourth tank or so and that works.

Answer 9

No, my dad's a mechanic - and he highly suggests against it. He has a dodge hemi ram 2500 that recommends premium also.

i know gas price's are through the roof, but it could cause problems with your car.

Answer 10

If you put in regular and something goes wrong, and you have to have service on it. If your vehicle is under warranty, they may void your warranty for putting in the incorrect type of fuel.