[sketcher]

Tomorrow I get my beloved Mini (yay!). But, I've no clue about premium gas. Simply because I've never been into cars and I've never had to pump premium gas before.

At the Sunoco station near my house, I noticed there wasn't anything labelled 'premium gas'. OK, so it's not that simple. I assumed the highest number (octane, I think?) is premium. I've been using 89 I think for the Corolla I use now. But I noticed Sunoco has 92 and Ultra94.

I asked my friends about this and they told me it's best I use the 'medium premium gas'. Huh? So 92? Do I even have my numbers right?

So, my fellow Canadian drivers, is it true that only Sunoco has this 'other' premium gas? Silly question, I know but keep in mind that all these years, I've ignored the other gas types since I've never had to use them

If I go into a Petro station or shell, I just use the highest gas they have?

[tip]

As long as you use 91 or higher you are fine. Sunoco 94 is great very clean gas. Shell optimax is I think 92. Petro Canada has the best cleaners added. Esso forget it, never had much luck with them.

Charles

[weejinky]

Shell Optimax is 98 RON

[HarryHBMCC]

Anything 91 or higher is 'premium'. If they offer two grades 91 or higher the other is 'super premium' or 'ultra premium', Ultra94 in the case of Sunoco.

Funny, around here Shell's highest is 91 and neither it no PetroCanada's 91 run particularly well in my Cooper. Similarly, Shell 94 doesn't run that well -- good power but poor mileage and some engine stumbling. Esso 92 and Pioneer 93 seem to work quite well lately, with the power edge to the 93 and the gas mileage edge a bit to the 92. I should test Sunoco 92 again since 94 seems not that good.

If you don't really give 'er then you are fine with 91 but if you run above 5500 RPMs you'll likely notice a difference with 92-93 instead of 91. The computer seems to retard things a bit over 5500RPM with 91.

Harry

[sketcher]

Ok, so premium gas is anywhere from 91 and up. Is it ok if I use 91 then, say 94, then another time use 91? Or do I have to keep using the same grade?

[HarryHBMCC]

You can use one this week and a different one next week, no problem. Some talk about the computer learning the new gas, etc. but I'm not sure I've noticed anything like that. The octane ratings are minimums anyways -- even at the same pump there is no guarantee from week to week that the levels are exactly the same.

Harry

[GordonD]

an old battle returns to be fought again!

I have used Sunoco 94 from almost new without any negatives. The reason i switched was based ona german Engineering site which reported that the S was optimesed to run on 98 octane and Sunoco 94 is the closest we have to that. The price differential is not that much so why not

[thegrommit]

Stick to 91 octane or above and away from the Diesel and you'll be fine

[oldnell]

Quote:

Originally posted by weejinky
Shell Optimax is 98 RON

Apparently they use a different fuel rating system on the other side of the pond, so our 98RON is somewhere in the low 90s on their funny system.

And their light switches are up-side-down.

[Humourl3ss]

Yes, but we pronounce "oregano" correctly.

Just to reiterate, sketcher, anything 91 or better is fine for your car. I tend to alternate between Shell Optimax 91 and Sunoco 94, but I can't say I find any qualitative difference between the two.

-CW

[sketcher]

ok, so 91 and above. It's ok to change from time to time. SHEESH! I did some research and I think I'll use Sunoco's Ultra94-- for being the most friendly to the environment. I was trying to find information comparing that to the grade lower but couldn't come up with anything.

[LiddleD]

hey people! so how much do you all end up paying for gas...say on a weekly, or monthly basis...especially when you always use the "good stuff" just trying to rack up as many answers as possible! hehe...

[nfinity]

Sorry to dig up an old topic but I'm new to these forums.

I'm on the verge of purchasing a Mini Cooper Classic and just read about the premium requirement. I've talked to a few of the guys at the dealers - one says it's required, the other said it's my call, but he highly recommends the premium.

Say I was to buy mid-range, or even regular gasoline - do any of you currently do this? And if so, do you notice any difference from using premium?

Thanks!

[Humourl3ss]

I think you need to ask yourself if it's worth the savings.

Mid-grade is usually about $0.05 cheaper than 91 octane. If you put in 40 litres per week you're saving only $2.00. Less than the price of a tall latté at Starbucks. That's false economy in my book, especially since you'll lose a bit of power (which has never been a Cooper's stong suit).

Stick with premium. Despite all the current hand wringing we still have cheap gas here in Canada (I was in Scotland last week and paid 82 pence per litre - roughly two and a half times the price of regular here) and there's no good reason to put lower grade fuel in a brand new car.

-CW

[rhogg]

I agree with the above post. Premium gas usually has additional additives along with the added octane. This results in clearer engines and, over the long run, less problems. While its true thath some vehicles seem to like some brands, you should pick one and sitick with it unless you are having problems. I use PetroCan Super which has lots of cleaners in it, adn is a 91 octane.

In Calgary and in many other cities the base gas all comes form the same source and the only difference is the additive package that is added when the gas is put in the fuel truck. Strange.....but true.

Pick a brand and stay with it, unless you have problem. Switching brnads and octanes every week will only confuse the ECU

[MINNOW]

Hey nfinity - don't bother with the 89 or 87 octane fuels, the cost saving is not worth it.
I was not really keen on having to use premium in my new MC, but after filling up for the first time, I was quite pleased to see it only would take 42 litres even after driving for about 30km with the low fuel light on.
And the mpg on the first (dealer supplied) tankfull? How about 39.7mpg!! That made me feel better about having to use premium! This was calculated BTW not as per the on board computer because my car does not have one. Was about 50/50 city and highway driving. And to think that the fuel economy is expected to improve after the break-in period. (depending on how many trips to the redline )
Good choice in your car - I picked up my MC Classic May 1st with the optional heated seats and am happy with the selection, CR/W 5-speed. What's your colour choice?
Happy future motoring.

[nfinity]

Thanks for the info, guys. Have heard the same thing from other people as well - and if I end up going the Mini route (SO many other options in this price range now!) I'll definitely stick with the premium.

If I do end up getting the MC Classic, it'll be all black, base (auto - I do so much heavy traffic driving that I've never cared to pick up stick shift), no options added thank you The insurance premium on this car is enough to keep me from going heated seats

-Adam.

[arabinow]

IMHO .. I would stay away from the Sunoco ultra 94

even though it is a higher octane.. it uses ethanol instead of mmt in the processing. It says in the manual pretty clearly stay away from ethanol based petrol. I tried it a few times and had some quite ill effects on my vehicle. Major stumbling on startup.. and almost stalling after the initial pull away.

that was with my ECU programmed to the original cd.. so who knows now, maybe it is different with the ecu upgrade.

now I stick with esso 92.

btw I paid the last time I pumped $1.008 /L.. 43 bucks for 43 L. Who would have thought it would cost so much to fill a mini.

ah well.. still fun to drive though

Adam

[lot15]

I had regular pumped in by mistake once,made them give me octane booster,witch they did.
It was only about half a tank,and because I commute 175 km. a day,I keep filling it every day with a
few dollars worth.
The motor is made to run on premium gas,it run cleaner,smoother ,and will get the best mileage
if you use it . The savings at the pump are lost with the lower km per litre,dirtier gas in the engine
could shorten its life,and cause big ticket expenses,and pollute more.
This topic comes up all the time,and in the end premium is the way to go

[nfinity]

Yeah I figured - unfortunately that and the insurance cost of this car is the nail in the coffin for me. At $4500 for a 21 year-old Male with nothing on my traffic record and my G-license, I'll surely be looking elsewhere - unless anyone similarly situated can refer me to a company that insures cheaper.