Fuel Requirement (Merged Threads)
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 765
Likes: 19
From: AZ
You are giving dealer too much credit. They didn't even think about it. I can't imagine someone not telling you because of the extra money. You are buying a $50k + car so if you have to add a few more dollars at fill up time, big deal.
I called 4 dealers today. The dealer I purchased my car from is not the only one touting the "optional but not required" party line.
To me, this car clearly requires the Premium. There is a difference between recommended and required and this car is getting Premium like our other two vehicles.
Thanks!
I called 4 dealers today. The dealer I purchased my car from is not the only one touting the "optional but not required" party line.
To me, this car clearly requires the Premium. There is a difference between recommended and required and this car is getting Premium like our other two vehicles.
Thanks!
Because of these types of forums, we are much more aware of what our cars can do.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: CA
So true...
WOW, that is amazing. But then again my selling and servicing dealer told me I couldn't remote start the car with the key fob either. You should have seen their face and the technology person's face when I showed them I could.
Because of these types of forums, we are much more aware of what our cars can do.
Because of these types of forums, we are much more aware of what our cars can do.
I asked the guy showing me the features what FOB stood for...he had no clue...asked 3 other employees and still no answer. I told him I'd find out myself later on.
Oy vey....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 765
Likes: 19
From: AZ
Oy Vey is right.
FOB:
fob 1 |fäb|
noun (also fob chain)
a chain attached to a watch for carrying in a waistcoat or waistband pocket.
• a small ornament attached to a watch chain.
• (also fob pocket) a small pocket for carrying a watch.
• a tab on a key ring.
FOB:
fob 1 |fäb|
noun (also fob chain)
a chain attached to a watch for carrying in a waistcoat or waistband pocket.
• a small ornament attached to a watch chain.
• (also fob pocket) a small pocket for carrying a watch.
• a tab on a key ring.
Dealer claim it doesn't require premium because it is not "required" or "a must". basically, the car will still run on regular gasoline. I know they don't say stuff like this just to avoid problems with customers... kinda dumb but whatever...
I know before on my 2IS350, the manual actual said something like "premium gasoline required but lower octane gasoline is acceptable if premium not readily available" (or something to that extent).
luxury car, high compression engine, high octane premium gasoline.
****... even my FRS required premium gas.. talk about a 12.5:1 engine compression ratio... LOL
I know before on my 2IS350, the manual actual said something like "premium gasoline required but lower octane gasoline is acceptable if premium not readily available" (or something to that extent).
luxury car, high compression engine, high octane premium gasoline.
****... even my FRS required premium gas.. talk about a 12.5:1 engine compression ratio... LOL
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oz
Hi Dawn,
Just repeating what Peter said, you have to put in 91 octane due to the high compression ratio of the engine. The higher octane gas is to prevent premature combustion, I believe people also call this knocking? Costco is usually the cheapest, but if you do not want to go all the way to Costco....
Just repeating what Peter said, you have to put in 91 octane due to the high compression ratio of the engine. The higher octane gas is to prevent premature combustion, I believe people also call this knocking? Costco is usually the cheapest, but if you do not want to go all the way to Costco....
As they say you get what you pay for - if you drive a higher compression performance engine expect to pay for the top end fuel...you'll get better mileage anyway, more power and they help clean the engine internals as well.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 414
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
Who supplies the fuel to Costco would be my first question not how cheap is it? I've always been advised by aftermarket tuners to go for Shell or BP premium fuel. In Oz that's 98 octane. Our bottom end fuels are 91 octane with 10% ethanol. As for 20 cents a gallon difference between basic and premium fuel - as I've said in relation to the cost difference between the U.S. and Oz, you guys don't know how good you have it. Here the difference is closer to AUD20 cents per litre!! That is, at 4.54 * 20 cents = AUD 91 cents a gallon difference (or USD 65 cents).
As they say you get what you pay for - if you drive a higher compression performance engine expect to pay for the top end fuel...you'll get better mileage anyway, more power and they help clean the engine internals as well.
As they say you get what you pay for - if you drive a higher compression performance engine expect to pay for the top end fuel...you'll get better mileage anyway, more power and they help clean the engine internals as well.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 765
Likes: 19
From: AZ
That is true. The additives are added at the tank farm. Gas from CA flows to AZ tank farms via a large pipeline, and at the tank farms that is where the gas becomes mid and premium grades plus anything special for the different brands like Shell, Mobil, etc.. From the tank farm the trucks take the gas to the individual stations as 87, 89 and 91. That is why on the truck you see 3 spigots.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oz
That is true. The additives are added at the tank farm. Gas from CA flows to AZ tank farms via a large pipeline, and at the tank farms that is where the gas becomes mid and premium grades plus anything special for the different brands like Shell, Mobil, etc.. From the tank farm the trucks take the gas to the individual stations as 87, 89 and 91. That is why on the truck you see 3 spigots.
I guess being from Oz I don't equate Costco with premium fuel products - they are better known here for pizzas the size of truck tyres and gallon sized tomato sauce bottles!!
Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: NSW
Who supplies the fuel to Costco would be my first question not how cheap is it? I've always been advised by aftermarket tuners to go for Shell or BP premium fuel. In Oz that's 98 octane. Our bottom end fuels are 91 octane with 10% ethanol. As for 20 cents a gallon difference between basic and premium fuel - as I've said in relation to the cost difference between the U.S. and Oz, you guys don't know how good you have it. Here the difference is closer to AUD20 cents per litre!!
As they say you get what you pay for - if you drive a higher compression performance engine expect to pay for the top end fuel...you'll get better mileage anyway, more power and they help clean the engine internals as well.
As they say you get what you pay for - if you drive a higher compression performance engine expect to pay for the top end fuel...you'll get better mileage anyway, more power and they help clean the engine internals as well.
Our 95 RON fuel is currently selling for around A$1.35 per liter, which is equivalent to US$3.60 per gallon. So don't you guys complain!
Driver
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: CA
Costco....
A few years ago the UK 5th Gear TV show tested 2 different premium fuel brands against a supermarket low octane brand and they clearly showed that for performance engines you will get more power and torque from the premium brands. The basic ingredients for performance are a higher research octane rating plus the additives. The other important factor is how 'fresh' the fuel is - research has shown that it's always better to go to a high volume turnover gas station for your fuels rather than ones that don't sell as much of the premium octane blends.
I guess being from Oz I don't equate Costco with premium fuel products - they are better known here for pizzas the size of truck tyres and gallon sized tomato sauce bottles!!
I guess being from Oz I don't equate Costco with premium fuel products - they are better known here for pizzas the size of truck tyres and gallon sized tomato sauce bottles!!
Costco, to me, is a company that stands behind what they sell. I'm sure there are horror stories as there are always exceptions to every rule, but I don't believe their name is synonymous with a cheaper version of whatever they sale.
I also buy Sam's Club gas....whichever I'm closer too.
Dawn
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 235
From: SoCal
It seems like Costco changes filter much more often than other gas stations, which is good. I've gone a few times where the attendant has a stopwatch to measure flow rate. Since most cars at Costco use regular, they always come up to my pump to watch the flow rate for premium. I was told they change them quite frequently, which makes me wonder how often other stations change it since some take forever to fill up compared to Costco. Another perk for filling up at Costco; just wish their lines weren't so long all the time.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oz
I don't know if I'm alone or just the victim of good advertising, but I don't think lower quality when I think of Costco. Quite the opposite. Also, I would guess that you probably couldn't get it any fresher.
Costco, to me, is a company that stands behind what they sell. I'm sure there are horror stories as there are always exceptions to every rule, but I don't believe their name is synonymous with a cheaper version of whatever they sale.
I also buy Sam's Club gas....whichever I'm closer too.
Dawn
Costco, to me, is a company that stands behind what they sell. I'm sure there are horror stories as there are always exceptions to every rule, but I don't believe their name is synonymous with a cheaper version of whatever they sale.
I also buy Sam's Club gas....whichever I'm closer too.
Dawn
Driver
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: CA
Very true....
We buy food differently too....I doubt a Costco wouldn't even stand a chance in some of the countries in Europe. People still buy groceries every day in some parts.
But I think we used to think of Costco like you mentioned....but that was a very long time ago (back when it was called Price Club).
The only place I refuse to buy gas is Arco and that is because I can't charge it and get points. It hurts to pay cash for anything. That's a big part of how we travel so much internationally.
Dawn
I may be wrong, but I do recall reading an article a while back about Costco gasoline. Costco use to purchase lower tier gasoline from their supplier to make themselves competitive. But as the business grew, they've become much better at negotiating prices and changed their supplier to a top tier gasoline supplier.
My personal preference is to not buy gasoline at Costco. Not because of the gasoline quality, but because of the long line and wait time... you either have to start/stop your car multiple times or you let it run idle... nether is a scenario I like to put my car through. So for me its Shell, Mobil, Chevron, or 76.
My personal preference is to not buy gasoline at Costco. Not because of the gasoline quality, but because of the long line and wait time... you either have to start/stop your car multiple times or you let it run idle... nether is a scenario I like to put my car through. So for me its Shell, Mobil, Chevron, or 76.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 81
From: IN