Premium vs Regular Fuel

[RegalMN]

Maybe I misunderstood the part about required versus recommended fuel in the article.

Recommended: Will our 2.0L engine run on 87? Sure. Will there be a drop in performance? Probably. Knock? Maybe. Damage if towing? Maybe.
So recommended but with the above conditions.
If you don't care about those conditions then feel free to run 87.

 

[L J]

Recommended: Will our 2.0L engine run on 87? Sure. Will there be a drop in performance? Probably. Knock? Maybe. Damage if towing? Maybe.
So recommended but with the above conditions.
If you don't care about those conditions then feel free to run 87.

Do you have any idea how GM powertrain tests engines for normal automotive use, or even more extreme testing done for marine use?

 

[RegalMN]

Do you have any idea how GM powertrain tests engines for normal automotive use, or even more extreme testing done for marine use?

Our cars are rated for marine use? Who knew????

 

[L J]

Our cars are rated for marine use? Who knew????

No they sink pretty fast.

 

[RegalMN]

No they sink pretty fast.

Only one way to find out!

 

[L J]

Only one way to find out!

Maybe two ways, might be better to just fill your car with the hose and see how that works before driving into the lake.

 

[autocomman]

I've seen here a few people thinking if you don't drive it hard it's fine. What your foot does and what the throttle plate does are 2 different things. Even grandma driving can get the engine at WOT without your foot being anywhere close to it as the trans will hold a high gear and you goto accelerate normally, it doesn't downshift so it cranks the throttle open wide, that's a super high load that's ripe for detonation. The ECU is programmed only to adjust so far, not keep adjusting till everything is happy...there is a limit. You'd be surprised, but I've occasionally heard mine pinging under that high load low rpm acceleration, I always run premium, always. You'd be surprised at how many cars actually do this. The simple fact is if GM thought it was ok to use regular fuel, they would have said so. But you can do what ever you want...use 20/50 oil, put 20psi or 50 psi in the tires, do WOT passes getting on the freeway with a dead cold engine. Why bother ever changing brake fluid?..lots of reasons to do or not to do one or the other. Same goes for octane. The fact is the engine was tuned for premium fuel. $. Period, hence the sticker. You think GM wants to pay for thay premium recommend sticker? Yeah even the sticker costs. On anything but premium you will have less power, reduced economy, and yes there is a chance for engine damage looooong term. Period, full stop. So do what ever you want, but the reality is this is the car you bought. If you couldn't/didn't want to pay for premium why did you buy it? IMO the benefits of saving some $ over the life of the car now on fuel, don't outweigh the potential for the $ down the line. Moving on....

 

[L J]

I've seen here a few people thinking if you don't drive it hard it's fine. What your foot does and what the throttle plate does are 2 different things. Even grandma driving can get the engine at WOT without your foot being anywhere close to it as the trans will hold a high gear and you goto accelerate normally, it doesn't downshift so it cranks the throttle open wide, that's a super high load that's ripe for detonation. The ECU is programmed only to adjust so far, not keep adjusting till everything is happy...there is a limit. You'd be surprised, but I've occasionally heard mine pinging under that high load low rpm acceleration, I always run premium, always. You'd be surprised at how many cars actually do this. The simple fact is if GM thought it was ok to use regular fuel, they would have said so. But you can do what ever you want...use 20/50 oil, put 20psi or 50 psi in the tires, do WOT passes getting on the freeway with a dead cold engine. Why bother ever changing brake fluid?..lots of reasons to do or not to do one or the other. Same goes for octane. The fact is the engine was tuned for premium fuel. $. Period, hence the sticker. You think GM wants to pay for thay premium recommend sticker? Yeah even the sticker costs. On anything but premium you will have less power, reduced economy, and yes there is a chance for engine damage looooong term. Period, full stop. So do what ever you want, but the reality is this is the car you bought. If you couldn't/didn't want to pay for premium why did you buy it? IMO the benefits of saving some $ over the life of the car now on fuel, don't outweigh the potential for the $ down the line. Moving on....

Seriously? Is this where you say April fools?

 

[adam728]

I've seen here a few people thinking if you don't drive it hard it's fine. What your foot does and what the throttle plate does are 2 different things. Even grandma driving can get the engine at WOT without your foot being anywhere close to it as the trans will hold a high gear and you goto accelerate normally, it doesn't downshift so it cranks the throttle open wide, that's a super high load that's ripe for detonation.

I think this is something a lot of people don't understand.

 

[autocomman]

Seriously? Is this where you say April fools?

I know I shouldn't ask, but yeah seriously. What's your question?

 

[LLninja]

For all of you running regular when the manufacturer requires premium, you are running a risk. I’ve seen the same arguments round and round in the Chevy Volt forum… folks are running regular and claiming it’s fine… but is it? Even though the cars are computer controlled to retard timing to reduce the knocking, it really is bad for the engine. Now if you leased the vehicle and plan on returning it, then you probably won’t be affected my any damage you do to it by putting in regular. But I run my vehicles into the ground so I’m only putting premium into my TourX as I do in my Volt and CTS. I even only put in top tier fuel.

What else does the manufacturer recommend that folks decide to ignore? You don’t need to add air to the tires, change the oil, or change the brake pads. The coolant change is only a suggestion. Why pay for antifreeze? Water works just fine. You don’t need new oil or air filters. Why pay extra for an AGM battery when a lead acid is much cheaper? Run the tires until they are bald.

 

[FavaBean]

For all of you running regular when the manufacturer requires premium, you are running a risk.

Typo? Or are making the point for vehicles (not Regal) that actually require it?

(For the record.... I'm on the fence on this debate but use premium MOST of the time)

 

[landsharkmz3]

Buy whatever makes you happy...

Do you use regular or premium? LTG engine.

Everyone here doesn't have a 2018, mine is a 2014 and many others here also have the early LTG. This is the 2018+ Buick Regal Sportback and TourX forum, so that is generally the target audience of people responding. There are other forums for the other models and years.

buickforums.com

 

[CWdaGr8]

I live at high altitude (6,500 to 6,700 ft on a regular basis) and have always used the highest octane I can get my hands on (91 octane in my little town.)

I use the throttle pretty regularly and don't want to risk anything with the engine. I've been trying not to push past the "dent" in the gas pedal with prices so high. I must admit though I may be giving a hybrid serious consideration for my next vehicle.

Oh, I think I actually parked next to you at Fratelli's!!! I got excited actually seeing another Regal in the Gallup area.

 

[PrincipalDan]

Oh, I think I actually parked next to you at Fratelli's!!! I got excited actually seeing another Regal in the Gallup area.

Are you the Smoked Pearl Metallic one, the only other TourX sold by Rico Motors during the 3 years of production?

 

[CWdaGr8]

Are you the Smoked Pearl Metallic one, the only other TourX sold by Rico Motors during the 3 years of production?

No, silver metallic Sportback.

 

[PrincipalDan]

No, silver metallic Sportback.

I shouldn't say I don't pay attention to the Sportbacks but as far as I could tell Rico's must have sold a couple a month for the 2018-2020 MYs. I was so irritated that almost no AWD Sportbacks were delivered to NM dealers as far as I could tell.

 

[Rueme]

I've had an 18 Essense for almost three years and only use premium since day one, only have 22K on her but I can tell the difference between 91 octane and 93, which I can't find in Colorado

 

[DrFaustus]

There are a few gas stations that carry greater than 91 octane here in Denver. But it's sold as race gas and is quite expensive.

 

[Buckjoe]

I’m running 89 octane due to fuel costs. Seems like a good compromise. No issues. Climate and altitude work in my favor….