premium fuel for H6 3.0?

Im thinking of getting an outback with the 3.0 liter motor. Book says that it needs premium fuel, but a friend has one and he is using regular, and has been since he got the car a few years ago...

What do you think? Is it OK to use regular or is premium needed...

Im in San Francisco, so driving at sea level with some trips to the mountains.

Thanks, Joe

Reply to
Joe
Loading thread data ...

If the manual says premium, that's what you should use. If that's a problem consider a different car. Yes it will run on regular but with reduced power and economy and increased possibility of detonation.

Reply to
mulder

It's fine to use regular. You may lose some performance but will not notice but no damage will result. Think about this: Premium may not be available everywhere. If you filled up your car with regular and damage resulted, the manufacturer would go out of business due to warranty repairs. I know of a passat turbo that has only used regular for 130k miles. It's a piece of junk but no problems can be attributed to fuel. I'd stick with the 2.5 since the performance isnt that great with the 3.0 and the cost in initial price and repairs is higher.

Reply to
jabario

Reply to
Edward Hayes

You know - I've never seen a single gas station that didn't carry premium.

Reply to
y_p_w

Sure, but how much lower performance and mileage will you get? 10%?

I cant f+++ For optimum engine performance and driveability it is recommended (for

3.0) that you use premium grade unleaded gasoline. +++

Also note that its not that I feel uncomfortable about the premium. Im trying to fine out if its possible. As I said I know 2 people who have the 3.0 motor, one uses regular exclusively and the other premium. Both are happy with their cars.

Thanks, Joe

Reply to
Joe

Reply to
jabario

Reply to
jabario

Reply to
jabario

Reply to
jabario

Notice the manual doesn't say "damage will result" . So if something does happen it's covered. Save money and use regular

Reply to
jabario

Reply to
Bryan Lee

I don't really see why using regular unleaded in a car designed for premium is in question. The car was designed for Premium, so use premium.

The cost differential if you cheap out and use regular actually supports buying premium. Here's the details:

  1. Premium gas is .20 a gallon where I live. If I get 15 gallons it costs 15 x 2.20 =
  2. On premium I get 24MPG, for a range of 24 x 15 = 360 miles per tank.

  1. Regular gas is .00 a gallon. If I get 15 gallons it costs 15 x

2.00 = $30

  1. The vehicle's ECU, which is tuned for Premium, will retard the timing to prevent detonation when presented with lower octane fuel. This will cause mileage to decrease. Some have reported a 4mpg decrease, so that now you get 20mpg.

  2. 20 X 15 = 300 miles per tank.

  1. Ooops, I'm 60 miles short. Better buy more gas to make up for it.

  2. OK, 60 divided by 20 = 3. So I need to buy 3 more gallons of gas to make up the difference.

  1. 3 x .00 = . Add to that the original for 15 gallons of regular and you get

  2. So, to get 360 miles per tank from Premium costs me . And to get the same miles per tank from regular costs .

Wow, I just spent $3 extra in an effort to save money by buying the wrong gas.

Ooops . . . . . .

Reply to
Ragnar

There is no mpg penalty. Most cars get better mileage with regular anyway

Reply to
jabario

Try running one in the UK with petrol currently around 85-90 pence per litre depending on where you fill up.

- Steve

Reply to
Steve

Source?

Reply to
Ragnar

Reply to
Edward Hayes

I think you missed my point. Running *regular* gas actually costs $3 MORE to get the same miles per tank. Changing from Premium to Regular is therefore fiscally unsound as it costs MORE to run Regular than Premium.

Reply to
Ragnar

I think you missed my point.. you (collectively) think that your gas is expensive at $36 per tank. My point was that if you come to England you'll find it costs £36, that's quite a big difference. If I couldn't afford it, I'd drive a Figaro !

- Steve

Reply to
Steve

OK. You posted it four times and it still doesn't make it right. Use premium if that is what it says to use since the car is tuned that way.

Reply to
JD

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.