more on Use of gasoline grades

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Suzanne Johnson <sjohnson () pobox com>
Date: August 10, 2005 2:03:42 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] Use of gasoline grades


Within last couple of days I read some articles that said that for  
cars with electronic engine controls, using any grade gasoline will  
work.  The engines adjust to them without a glitch.  The gasoline  
grades listed for autos are optimized to ensure top horsepower  
production.  Using a lower grade may mean less horsepower, but the  
engine will basically be fine.  Some cars are even known and reported  
to get better gas mileage on grades not recommended by the  
manufacturer.  See, for example,  clip below.  I will keep searching  
for the other articles I read...


When EPA Mileage Numbers
Just Don't Add Up on the Road

By JONATHAN WELSH
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
August 10, 2005; Page D6

Q: My 2005 Nissan Maxima with a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine has EPA  
ratings of 20 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, I have been  
getting only 16 to 18 mpg in mixed driving. I have tried premium gas,  
and do not have a heavy foot. There are about 2000 miles on the car.  
Is this a common problem with Nissan? What do you suggest?
-- Jim Levinson
Milwaukee Wis.

A: Actual fuel economy often does not match EPA figures because that  
agency's ratings are based on near-ideal driving conditions instead  
of the cut-and-thrust style drivers usually encounter on the road. In  
our years of test drives we have found huge variations from vehicle  
to vehicle when it comes to meeting their EPA-rated fuel economy.  
While some models easily deliver fuel economy within the range  
suggested by the EPA, others need to be "babied" in order to come  
close. Some models have never even approached their EPA numbers on  
the road in our tests.

It might be worth your time to continue experimenting with different  
fuel grades. Strangely, we have heard about cases where Nissan  
Maximas like yours have performed more economically using lower- 
octane gasoline.

.............clip.................................

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