by FLUXEMAG » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:28 pm
PXLpainter wrote:Jon11582 wrote:It will definitly perform better on the V6. But mileage increase probably won't cover the cost difference.
I havent seen one thing that actually tests out mileage on a V6 Solara on premium vs regular. Here, regular was 2.499 eariler this week, and premium was 2.799. That means it needs to increase 12.4% to make up the difference. Retarded timing should not decrease mileage that much.
Lets see it. Someone who has a Solara V6, works monday through friday, has a long commute, and burns through at least half a tank Monday-friday should test this out. Just run to the half a tank mark on a typical work week and see how many miles that got you, with fill up on regular, and premium.
If you mix 1/2 tanks like that you're not really comparing anything...
I'd say to do it right, you need to run it 'til you get the gas light and fill up with Regular - then do the 1/2 tank test on another fill-up and mark down the mileage.
Do the same thing with running it nearly dry and fill twice with Premium.
Really would help having a regular commuter test this with both City/Hwy miles tho'.
There's too many variables to actually draw a statistically significant conclusion. You would have to do quite a few M-F trials before you could be confident about the difference. I'd say that the savings or cost is going to be negligable, but the increase in engine efficiency with premium is not negligable.
In AZ, we have a tight spread, regular is 87, premium is 91. I could tell the difference when I put 93 in instead of 91. I've never tried 87 because it doesn't make sense to do so, unless your stranded and the pump only has regular.
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1967 Karmann Ghia Coupe, Rusty White
2005 Solara SE Sport V6, Lunar Mist
2010 G37 Coupe, Moonlight White