Premium Gas – Worth it?

[GMC-AT]

I noticed the truck gets about 1 mpg better when running 93 octane... versus plain 87. Same 100 mile route, same speed.

 

How do I figure if the .35 cents or so ?? in added cost per gallon is worth it?

This is a 25 gallon tank correct? ( 2014, 5.3)

 

My driving is consistent.. 90% highway at 77 mph.

 

[MikeNH]

26 gallon tank.

 

You figure it out with math.

 

 

Lets say regular costs 3.50/gal and you get 18 MPG

 

 

3.5/18=.194 cents per mile.

 

Premium would then be $3.65 and you'd get 19 MPG

 

3.65/19= .192 cents per mile.

 

So it'd seem to essentially be a draw. But that's not accounting for the fact that these engines make more power on premium, which is worth even a cost disadvantage IMO.

[GMC-AT]

Yes, I agree... there is also the power advantage with high octane. So even at a little loss, it's still worth it.

[TooTall1]

Is the 93 octane ethanol free? If it is that could be why you're seeing a slight MPG gain.

[GMC-AT]

no... it's all the same here.. 10%

[ShotgunZ71]

The premium would be $3.85 per gallon at the .35 hike the OP mentioned, right?

 

 

3.85/19= .2026 cents per mile.

 

That being said, the extra power and responsiveness could easily make up the extra .0106 cent per mile.

 

18x26= 468 miles on a tank, or 19x26= 494 per tank.

 

Of course when you say, .35 x 26 gallons = $9.10 more per tank is when some people shy away from it.

[MikeNH]

26 gallon tank.

 

You figure it out with math.

 

 

Lets say regular costs 3.50/gal and you get 18 MPG

 

 

3.5/18=.194 cents per mile.

 

Premium would then be $3.65 and you'd get 19 MPG

 

3.65/19= .192 cents per mile.

 

So it'd seem to essentially be a draw. But that's not accounting for the fact that these engines make more power on premium, which is worth even a cost disadvantage IMO.

The premium would be $3.85 per gallon at the .35 hike the OP mentioned, right?

 

3.85/19= .2026 cents per mile.

 

That being said, the extra power and responsiveness could easily make up the extra .0106 cent per mile.

 

18x26= 468 miles on a tank, or 19x26= 494 per tank.

 

Of course when you say, .35 x 26 gallons = $9.10 more per tank is when some people shy away from it.

 

 

Crap.

 

 

I'm gonna stop doing stuff involving numbers now.

[ShotgunZ71]

Mike, I still think it's close enough to be called a draw!

[coryw]

and treating dollars and cents interchangeably is also known as "verizon math".

 

3.5/18 = $0.194 per mile (19.4 cents per mile) and 3.85/19 = $0.2026 per mile (20.26 cents per mile).

[GMC-AT]

I didn't even look close enough last time.. but I think premium gas is about .30 cents more than regular per gallon ?????

[clayp]

E85 is only $2.65 in Houston. That would be my preference. Less cost even with reduced fuel economy, and increased power

[ShotgunZ71]

I didn't even look close enough last time.. but I think premium gas is about .30 cents more than regular per gallon ?????

You're lucky. Around here it's 40 to 50 cents more for premium. Used to be just 20 not too many years ago.

[2014 Sporty Shorty]

Lingenfelter has already confirmed that the new 5.3 make 383hp and 416 lbft when using either E47 blend or 93 octane gas. My first fill up was 91 and it did seem to add some noticeable punch and smoother idle.

[BringTheRain403]

got back from a 1400 mile trip. Ran regular the whole way there and 93 the whole way back. Cruise at 75 and the MPG's were almost exactly the same. IMO I'll stick with the cheap stuff...

[2014 Sporty Shorty]

got back from a 1400 mile trip. Ran regular the whole way there and 93 the whole way back. Cruise at 75 and the MPG's were almost exactly the same. IMO I'll stick with the cheap stuff...

It's mostly going to give you more power and a smoother idle. I just put some 94 in today and was watching my timing and such and it does make a difference with more octane,