I agree with you, Russ, on this one. IMO except for 1) the hottest months, 2) high altitude driving, and 3) competition driving, 'premium' gas is a waste.

Saab knock control is very good, and in my Aero and 9000T I run 'high test' only during the hot months - June through mid-September, and then the cheapest stuff I can find the rest of the year. I would increase the use of higher octane gas if I drove at high elevations, but I'm at sea level.

Quite often so-called 'premium' gas actually has a lower energy content because of the additives that have been used to increase the temperature where spontaneous combustion (knock) occurs. This is even more often the case in the summer months in the US because of the efforts to control regional air quality through blending in even more additives. The quality of gasoline during the summer months in the USA is not very good, and because of the regional requirements most brand names mean very little - there is a great deal of inter-brand buying and selling before it gets to the pumps. Long gone are the days of Amoco unleaded, which truly was a premium gas.

The oil industry has kept up the image of premium gas somehow being better or having higher energy content. They sell a lot more at a higher price that way. After all, if it costs more, it must be better, right? Actually it's usually just the same stuff as the regular with low energy additives blended in to raise the ignition point.

• Fuel grade, Wingnut, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 11:37:10
  • But I thought..., russdog, Fri, 3 Aug 2001 01:05:27
    • I agree, GaryG, Fri, 3 Aug 2001 11:01:55 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Yep you're right but..., Coolknight, Fri, 3 Aug 2001 04:31:50
      • Re: Yep you're right but..., russdog, Mon, 6 Aug 2001 00:49:41
        • My understanding is that, Coolknight, Mon, 6 Aug 2001 10:34:12
          • How does T7 detect knock?, russdog, Mon, 6 Aug 2001 14:44:48
            • Yes we do, TG, Tue, 7 Aug 2001 08:36:22
  • USE PREMIUM, Coolknight, Thu, 2 Aug 2001 04:53:04
  • Re: Fuel grade, Rex, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 15:14:34
  • Re: Fuel grade, Jay, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 15:03:48
  • boost differences, Derek Gentry, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 14:38:11
  • My 2 cents..., DaveG, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 13:06:24
  • Re: Fuel grade, Paul , Wed, 1 Aug 2001 11:57:24
    • Re: Fuel grade, Jack, Wed, 1 Aug 2001 12:36:04

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: (none)
• Next by Date: cell phones, seanu, Fri, 3 Aug 2001 11:54:08
• Main 9⁵ Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)