What fuel is most economical on the V8?

[thomaspf]

What fuel is most economical for the V8?

I am doing mostly city driving on my V8 and I am getting about 14MPG over the last 1500 miles. Reading some of the posts about much higher mileages makes me wonder whether I am doing the right thing.

I only buy regular fuel for the V8 and now I am curious whether that impacts fuel economy. I'd be very interested to hear from other V8 owners what type of fuel they tank and what mileage they get for their traffic mix.


For my case it is:

Fuel: Regular
City: 85%
Highway: 15%
Mileage: 14mpg

Thanks in advance for responding

Thomas

 

[Duaine]

I am doing mostly city driving on my V8 and I am getting about 14MPG over the last 1500 miles. Reading some of the posts about much higher mileages makes me wonder whether I am doing the right thing.

I only buy regular fuel for the V8 and now I am curious whether that impacts fuel economy. I'd be very interested to hear from other V8 owners what type of fuel they tank and what mileage they get for their traffic mix.


For my case it is:

Fuel: Regular
City: 85%
Highway: 15%
Mileage: 14mpg

Thanks in advance for responding

Thomas

My dealer filled my Genesis 4.6 up the first time with 92 octane premium.
I myself have used 87 octane regular unleaded fuel or have used 89 octane 90% unleaded 10% ethenol.

I am about the opposite of you at about 90% highway driving and 10% city driving. Even with just 500 miles on the engine I am getting an average of 25 mpg.

The best I have got is 27 mpg highway driving only. One day I did do alot of city driving and 17 mpg is as low as it got.

Since I am still careful about breaking in the engine for the first 600 miles as the owners manual suggests I have pretty much babied the car so far.

No jack rabbit starts......also if I go through the automatic car wash I shut the engine off since your not suppose to idle it while new for more than 3 minutes.

Like any other car the difference in driving behavior certainly effects fuel mileage. Now with that said its hard not to play with the V-8 and I admit once its broke in good my foot will be in it a little more.

 

[Poopsicle]

I am doing mostly city driving on my V8 and I am getting about 14MPG over the last 1500 miles. Reading some of the posts about much higher mileages makes me wonder whether I am doing the right thing.

I only buy regular fuel for the V8 and now I am curious whether that impacts fuel economy. I'd be very interested to hear from other V8 owners what type of fuel they tank and what mileage they get for their traffic mix.


For my case it is:

Fuel: Regular
City: 85%
Highway: 15%
Mileage: 14mpg

Thanks in advance for responding

Thomas

You should do your own test on which is better. calculate your MPG from 2 tank full of Regular, Midgrade and Premium. Use the same brand of gasoline. You should test this when your car has higher miles on it.

 

[Sonata2009]

I think it's also clear that the V8 is VERY sensitive to a heavy foot. If you drive very conservatively, I think you would get 20 + MPG around town (less, pure stop and go), and 25+ MPG mostly hightway. The heavier the foot, the lower the average. I am very light footed (most of the time) and can squeek 22 - 24 out of my 2002 Grand Caravan, and 29 Highway. I'm 17-18 around town on the Genesis, 24 on the highway when I'm lead footed . . .

 

[JOwest]

I drive mostly (95%) in the city. Many frequent short trips of under 4 miles each in stop and go traffic. This is probably the worst king of driving for good fuel economy. My average fuel consumption is 12mpg. On one recent 250 mile trip at 75mph I average just over 23mpg. The car had about 600 miles on it at that time.

 

[thomaspf]

Maybe I have not asked the question not simple enough....

I am assuming you get better mileage with premium but premium is obviously more expensive.

Is it cheaper to fuel the V8 with regular fuel and loose a bit on the mileage or should I stick with premium?

Opinions?

Cheers

Thomas

 

[Poopsicle]

Maybe I have not asked the question not simple enough....

I am assuming you get better mileage with premium but premium is obviously more expensive.

Is it cheaper to fuel the V8 with regular fuel and loose a bit on the mileage or should I stick with premium?

Opinions?

Cheers

Thomas

Thomas, I've answered your question and I believe you should do your own testing because many cars can gave different results. calculate what was a better deal.

 

[JOwest]

On my Audi A6 with the turbo engine I have tried both regular and premium grade gasoline. It made no difference in gas mileage whatsoever. Your driving style and traffic condition will dictate the mileage you will get.

 

[Poopsicle]

On my Audi A6 with the turbo engine I have tried both regular and premium grade gasoline. It made no difference in gas mileage whatsoever. Your driving style and traffic condition will dictate the mileage you will get.

On my brother's 1999 A4 2.8 Quattro, his MPG goes down alot when using midgrade. He actually saved money by using premium.

 

[PINGGOLF]

50/50 here.

19 city/ 23-27 hwy. (usually between 60 and 90 mph.)

PREMIUM fuel.

Its so cheap these days! Now, if we jump back to $3 for 87 than I will be putting 87 in the tank.

I thought I was the only one on this forum with a heavy foot...but after seeing 12 and 14 I feel like an ole' Sunday cruiser

3500 miles.

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[GS300rich]

I honestly wouldn't use anything but premium gas no matter how economical

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I guess the real question is why you'd try to "economize" by not using premium? For a maximum 'premium' of $4 per tank, why sacrifice the performance? Yes, modern engines can recognize a lower octane and adjust. But when they do, they're also running less efficiently. But to answer the original question:

85% Suburban driving
15% Highway
18 MPG in the morning
12-15 MPG coming home (more traffic)
23-27 MPG highway depending on wind.

But it's all moot until Spring, when (by state law) reformulated fuel kicks back in. Then, mileage goes way up. Lastly:
The 'coming home' mileage is exactly the same as my 3.6 Passat was in the winter.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Forgot to mention:
The VW Passat 3.6 REQUIRED premium. It had a 12-1 compression ratio versus the Tau's 10.4-1, and I don't know enough to say that's how/why we can get away with using regular.

 

[Calvin]

On my first tank after picking up the car I am at 18.2 avg on 87 reg fuel. My mix is 95% city (short runs) and 5% interstate. Currently I'm at around 400 miles. My next tank will be premium and I will compare to see if the mileage goes up enough to compensate for the additional cost.

 

[Poopsicle]

I honestly wouldn't use anything but premium gas no matter how economical

Can you give us a reason why?

 

[PlatEdSonata]

Great Thread ! Thanks.

 

[GS300rich]

Can you give us a reason why?

I have always used 93 octane in my lexus and my v8 durango before it on the recommendations of the manufacturer. I find it odd that even on the v8 they don't recommend 89 or 93 octane. I was just under the impression that it is better for hiperformance engines. I don't mind paying the extra $3 or so per tank for the better quality gas

 

[Sonata2009]

Ah, the world of the computer! Seriously, the advent of computer controlled ignition and firing control has essentially replaced the need for higher octane fuels. Higher octane fuels were used to control detonation (knocking) which could damage engines. The computers effectively eliminate the issue by controlling timing. So regular fuel doesn't hurt your engine at all - it just just doesn't provide quite the HP.

Running on premium really has NO advantage in a well controlled modern engine, except marginally higher HP. That, and some brands have higher additive levels, which can clean the intake system, but are not routinely necessary. Because of the higher HP, premium fuel might provide better fuel economy, but the less than 2% would be hard to see, much less justify. Cars that specify premium need it to control knock, or meet a specification HP or both.

 

[joel]

Gas and tires, cheapest expenses on a car

I'm waiting for the 5.ol engine! any news from reliable sources?

Thank you