Smart but not so Smart

[MOP]

Anyone own a Smart Car? The article below sure puts them into perspective!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/24/aa.have.to.use.premium/index.html

[Just Say N20]

Interesting claims about engine fuel grade requirements.

I have a Dodge Magnum with the 5.7 HEMI, which specifies 89 octane.

When gas was up to $4.50 a gallon, I started researching using 87 octane to save the 10¢/gallon.

Oddly, albeit totally unscientifically, the more I read in online forums for HEMI enthusiasts, there was a recurring theme. People who ran 87 octane gas were always posting fuel economy numbers that were 2 - 4 mpg worse than what I get. If the authors were honest in their descriptions of their personal driving habits, the only conclusion I could reach was that the HEMI doesn't perform as efficiently on lower octane fuel.

At that point, it was a numbers game. Saving 2% on a gallon of gas to lose between 10% - 15% in fuel economy didn't make sense.

I drive the Magnum between 500 and 1,000 miles a week, and seem to always be between 18 and 19.5 mpg for each tank. That seems pretty good for a 340 hp, full size car. The cylinder cut out must help. If I run a tank on a trip, I have gotten as high as 24.5 mpg.

[Craig S]

Thats one reason I bought a Yaris 3dr in January.