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Is Pricey Premium Gas Worth It?

Old Gas - Premium Prices

Fuel prices are making headlines, and they’re not the “pain at the pump” ones we’ve become used to in recent years. Prices are actually dropping, and as of this article’s live date November 6, 2014, the national average is just below $3.00 per gallon. That’s welcome news, given those with low incomes spent  nearly 13% of their income on fuel. But Americans don’t think the low fuel prices will last, according to The Washington Post, so they’re not willing to work the savings into any long-term financial plan.

In summer of 2014, when AAA pegged average gas prices at $3.64 per gallon, lots of people whose vehicles’ manufacturers recommended premium fuel were questioning whether high-performance gas was worth it. Now, that gas is more affordable, should those drivers take advantage of the savings, or reduce costs even further by fueling with regular-grade gas? Will a high-performance car run smoothly on regular gas?

Most people believe that premium gas will deliver better performance and extend the life of your vehicle. But according to the experts, this is bunk.

Did You Know:

  • Premium gas has always been recommended to eliminate knocking in your engine. But these days, cars are built with computerized knock sensors which take care of the problem.
  • The majority of engines were built to function on low-octane gas. This means that filling your tank with super unleaded is probably not going to give you any better performance than opting for lower grade.
  • The energy content of premium, mid-grade and regular unleaded is exactly the same: 111,400 BTU’s per gallon.

High Performance Vehicles Require High Performance Gas

Only vehicles specifically designated “high performance” are required to use premium gas. If you don’t own a Porsche, BMW M-Series, or a Corvette capable of going faster than most people would ever feel comfortable traveling, pumping high-octane gas into your tank is totally unnecessary.

With the high cost of gas and the promise of even higher prices to come, you need to take steps to maximize every gallon. This includes servicing your vehicle regularly and making sure your tires are properly inflated

To keep your car in tip-top shape without breaking the bank, start with Openbay. Compare pricing and book service from quality local shops with the click of a button. Openbay is car repair for today’s world.

Nov 6, 2014Openbay Staff
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November 6, 2014 Fuel Efficency aaa, auto repair, cars, cost, energy, experts, fuel, gas, gas prices, high performance, mechanic, money, news, openbay, personal finance, premium gas, save money, savings, unleaded
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Openbay, an award-winning online e-commerce marketplace for automotive repair and services and a provider of SaaS-based solutions for the automotive care industry, is transforming the experience for automotive repair and service for consumers and the way that automotive care businesses acquire and service customers.

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Reach out to Openbay to learn more.

Address: 10 Canal Park, Cambridge, MA 02141

Phone: 617-398-8888

Email: [email protected]

About

Openbay, an award-winning online marketplace for automotive repair and services and a provider of SaaS-based solutions for the automotive care industry, is transforming the experience for automotive repair and service for consumers and the way that automotive care businesses acquire and service customers.

Contact Openbay

To learn more about Openbay marketplace and subscription services, contact us today.

Address: 10 Canal Park, Cambridge, MA 02141

Phone: 617-398-8888

Email: [email protected]

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