Dunno. Some people believe in the Easter Bunny and some don't.

This is one of the reasons I only use premium fuel in my car. My 140's fuel system is complicated enough to use the A/C system to cool the fuel before it reaches the injectors so I can only imagine the repair bill to take it apart and clean it out.

You are supposed to use "premium" fuel because it has a high octane rating that higher compression engines need.


Note the higher the octane the more resistent to ignition the fuel is. So 87 burns faster then 93, or 100.

The octane rating has nothing to do with the additive package.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Is not the whole octane game accomplished with the additives? I have seen many gas companies claim to put more detergents in their higher grade fuels.

I test drove a new S550 recently and watched the salesperson put the cheap stuff in. I would not buy a single car on their lot because of that. One tank is probably not going to do much damage but on a new demonstrator car in its break in period where people are going to be "stretching its legs" its really a shame to subject it to that kind of abuse.

Fuel system cleaners and octane ratings. We're off into the world of people's perceptions here.

I can say that I've never used fuel system cleaners, except whatever might be in the gasoline. Well, maybe I have a couple of times, but I could tell no difference in anything. Except my wallet.

I can also say that I have always used regular fuel in both our 124s. One is now 17 years old, the other is 16 years old. They have over half-a-million miles between them.

They both still run great. The heads have never been off.

I also use SuperTech oil and transmission fluid and brake fluid from Walmart.

I had the oil pan off the '90 about a year ago and the inside of the engine was spotless, no sludge at all.

Both transmissions are original and shift fine.

It's not that I'm cheap, it's just that I have gotten good service from all of these products so why pay more for something that is no better?

I believe the biggest value in more expensive products is their placebo effect.

Speaking of placebo effects, I've always thought my cars ran better right after they were washed and waxed...but common sense says they don't really. I just perceive that they do.

Oh, 303 Protectant is the ONLY thing I will use on my dash. Seriously. All the other stuff is just the same product in a different bottle or a with different label, IMHO.

And the different "claims" of the different vendors? It's like asking a barber who gives the best haircut. Why, He Does, of course!

To each his own.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Hi, aren't you the guy I just met in Wal-Mart?

Well said!

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11 S550
09 C300
91 560SEL
90 300CE
84 380SE
83 240D

No a lower octane fuel will not hurt a modern car. The computer will retard the ignition and you will just lose some power and mileage. You can run 87 in an S550 forever and not damage a thing. You won't save any money either because the fuel mileage will go down a bit as well.

As for cheap fuel or better fuel again its a placibo. The fuel that Walmart sells comes down the same pipeline as the fuel you get from the most expensive station in town. Some companies add more additives, but they all must meet a minimum standard.

Octane and additives are two different things. Octane is a measure of a fuels burn resistence. Additives are what the marketing guys sell (Shell V power) and help keep your engine clean.

The only thing that makes a difference is volume, you are better off buying from a high volume station. The fuel stays fresh and their is less chance of getting water in the tanks. They also change their filters more often.

Just pick the right octane, whatever the manual calls for, and buy it from a bunch of different high volume stations. Thats the "secret".

I wouldn't think twice filling up an S65 with 93 at Walmart, or an offical Mobil station, its all the same.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I keep meticulous gas-mileage records on my cars. I have used premium from time to time just to check and I have noticed no difference at all in the fuel mileage between 87 and 93.

While I do use Walmart oil, I do not use Walmart gasoline because it always pings in my cars. My 124s have no knock sensor and do not retard the ignition. Walmart gasoline is the only brand that has given me this problem.

I do agree about buying from high-volume outlets. Excellent point.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

well said. that said... i use synthetics in some cars...dino in others.

always synthetic in my transmissions.... i guess because I think they are better in warm to hot conditions.

oil is oil in my opinion. synthetic helps me extend changes... however until i get some valve stem seals changed in a couple of 124's i use dino because i am burning quite a bit

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Street legend, once more.
Walmart and every other non-petroleum producers marketers have several several sources of supply No one makes a special kind of gasoline for Walmart or other independent marketers for that matter.
There is no such thing as "Walmart gasoline".
One day, it could be Shell, the next day Exxon or Mobil or Texaco

Good point. Let me rephrase: I have had problems with gasoline bought at walmart with regard to pinging.

Perhaps I should try it again.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560