Premium Fuel

[wengerda]

I know that I suppose to use premium gas on my future (3 weeks and counting), GT. But I read on the gas cap area that they recommend premium fuel. Will you make any damages if you use regular? Why I ask this? Because I am pretty sure that as soon as I get the vehicle from the dealer, and they always give you a full tank of gas, they probably will use regular. I could be wrong but even after I will tell them to use premium, if they do use regular, will problems will arise in the future? Will a tank of regular will be okay? Thanks all the comments.

[mikeyram]

I don't think it will hurt anything. If you are concerned, you can always add an octane boosting additive to your first tank.

Mikey

[Jimbo]

I have read on this forum that a tank of regular unleaded
every now and than won't cause any trouble.As a matter I talked
to a guy that has an GT and all he runs is regular unleaded.
He said he has had no trouble,but I don't think he's getting
the performance he should be getting.

[Gary04GT]

I believe that most people who buy the GT do so for performance as this model comes with the High Output 220hp turbo engine. To get maximum performance from this engine (and the STAGE 1 turbo) you need to use premium gasoline. If you want to get buy with regular fuel then consider getting the "turbo lite" 180hp turbo.

[coolvanillagt]

Glad I read this. Was iritated at first that I would have to use premium('05 GT high output). My '96 Dakota 4cyl. had to have premium to keep from knocking like a coffe can full of marbles.
However, figuring out that a full tank of premium fuel(from QT...a "top tier" fuel as recommended by some manufacturers)is only costing 3 bucks more...no biggie.
However, in the Phoenix heat, I have noticed a tendency for my GT to still "ping" a bit. Oh well.....the fun factor is worth it.

[MichaelDay]

The PT's computer will try to cut back on boost and keep the engine from damaging itself on regular. If you must use regular, just be gentle with it. Don't "drive it like you stole it". If you can actually detect pinging, the computer isn't able to completely compensate for the lower octane fuel and you should move up in octane.

As I have said before on this forum, I have put mid-grade in my GT (by accident) and I could certainly tell a difference in performance. It almost felt like I was dragging an anchor going up steep hills. I have seen others post that they couldn't tell a difference but I certainly did.

If you drive very gently and primarily drive in lower elevation areas (at higher elevations, more boost is required to develop the same power) and on reasonably flat ground, you should be OK with regular and certainly with mid-grade. If you don't fit those characteristics, I would go the gas station and "kick it up a notch" (as Emeril Lagasse says).

[AZ_IceMan]

quote:Originally posted by coolvanillagt

Glad I read this. Was iritated at first that I would have to use premium('05 GT high output). My '96 Dakota 4cyl. had to have premium to keep from knocking like a coffe can full of marbles.
However, figuring out that a full tank of premium fuel(from QT...a "top tier" fuel as recommended by some manufacturers)is only costing 3 bucks more...no biggie.
However, in the Phoenix heat, I have noticed a tendency for my GT to still "ping" a bit. Oh well.....the fun factor is worth it.

Coolvanilla, i wouldn't do this, honestly. I also live in phoenix and yes, my car even in stock form, would ping a little in high rpms on premium fuel. I definitely can't run regular now with the mods i have. As far as being stock though, the car's pcm will compensate for the lower octane and will retard timing really bad and you will lose almost all your performance and it will really ping badly. You will probably get a loud pop sound which is the engine predetonating and remember, anything happens to your engine while having any lower octane than premium, you are SOL. No warranty will cover you because you did not follow the mfr's instructions in the manual. [xx(]

[SuGamer]

quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT

I believe that most people who buy the GT do so for performance as this model comes with the High Output 220hp turbo engine. To get maximum performance from this engine (and the STAGE 1 turbo) you need to use premium gasoline. If you want to get buy with regular fuel then consider getting the "turbo lite" 180hp turbo.

Exactly. People stop being cheap. You brought a performance car, and now want to use cheap regular gas? To save, what. $2 per fill-up? Sell your car to someone who would really appreciate it and buy yourself a hybrid or a Metro and get the mileage you're willing to pay for.

[Red GT]

I live in Chandler, used only Chevron 91 from the get go. Don't go cheap on a GT. Give it the best and let it fly.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

I use premium in my N/A, and notice a difference, so I know the GT is gonna benefit a hell of a lot more from it. It's like using a different vescocity engine oil, you wouldn't do that would you? Like Sugamer said, 2 bucks a fill-up, is it that big of a deal? Definitely tell your dealer to use premium, and if you have to, cover the 2 dollars if they won't.