NY Times: Premium gas vs regular article

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I was skeptical of what an article from the NY Times would say on this topic, but it was actually pretty accurate.
 

REBELXSi

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In Si Honda recommends 91 octane to get full performance if I am not wrong
Yes, this article doesnt apply to Si/CTR models. Use 91+ and that's that.
 

gtman

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We've discussed this subject since I joined here back in 2015. There's no question that the base turbo Civics run fine on 87 octane. But, there's also evidence that these same base turbos can benefit from higher octane. When I was stock, I noticed power delivery seemed slightly smoother and I got even better mpg on premium. I wasn't the only one.

I'm sure some of you will tell me it was a placebo effect but don't take my word for it. Hondata did extensive testing using the base stock 1.5 using 87 octane versus premium. And they dyno'ed the results. The bottom line was a nice little bump in power.

Check out the testing results and dyno from Hondata here:

https://www.civicx.com/threads/prem...confirmed-by-honda-rep.828/page-9#post-130197

Btw... ever notice that the Sport hatch gets 6 more advertised hp than the base turbo? Well only 1-2 hp comes from the freer flowing exhaust. The rest comes from using the advertised 91 octane gas instead of 87. The higher octane does bump up timing a bit on these turbos.
 
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hobby-man

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@gtman what kind of MPG difference did you see between regular and premium? Not enough to offset the price difference I guess?
 

SCOPESYS

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1st thing that I notices was the Gas Prices in the accompanying photo
Honda Civic 10th gen NY Times:  Premium gas vs regular article 19njgas-jumbo


Article was dates April 2019

When were NY gas prices last as low as $1.98 / gallon ??? :doh:

AT the time the article was published (April 2019), NY Gas prices averaged about $2,78 / Gallon for Regular.

One major missing piece of information in the article, was that Premium gas will give you a higher MPG, that to some extent, compensates for the increased price (at least a little)

BTW: It would seem that the New York Times uses this STOCK photo, for many of it;s FUEL PRICE articles !!!, not just for ones about new York !!

ie New Jersey in article dated Oct. 18, 2016

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/19/...heap-gas-the-glory-days-are-about-to-end.html
 
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gtman

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@gtman what kind of MPG difference did you see between regular and premium? Not enough to offset the price difference I guess?
1-2 mpg. Plus the seemingly smoother drive.
 

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He, he... I'm paying $1.99 per gallon for 93 octane here in South Carolina mid April 2019.
 

gtman

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He, he... I'm paying $1.99 per gallon for 93 octane here in South Carolina mid April 2019.
Seriously? 93 around here (Maryland) is up to $3.20.
 


repeet

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Seriously? 93 around here (Maryland) is up to $3.20.
Oops, my mistake. It's 2.99 for 93 octane. I'm getting old and still remember the trauma of having to pay more than a dollar a gallon for the first time in 1973.
 

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For all of you not happy with how much you pay at the pump, check this,
it will make you feel better. https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/Europe/.
Prices are displayed as you like, us$ per us Gallon. That is the price at the pump,
but we should remember that minimum wage and average income in many countries
is way below what is in US or Canada. So enjoy the great way of life we most enjoy.
And lets not learn the hard way what it means the great song by Cinderella:
"Don't know what you got ' till is gone!!"
 

gtman

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