super-unleaded gas

wales@ucla-cs.UUCP (07/25/84)

I have a 1984 Honda Accord LX Hatchback, which I bought about two months
ago.  The EPA fuel-efficiency rating of the car is 30 mpg, but I am get-
ting only around 22 mpg.

Yes, I know what they say -- "use this figure for comparison, your
actual mileage may differ, California mileage lower" -- but I'm still
curious and a bit concerned.

Can anyone out there suggest a reason for this seemingly wide discrep-
ancy?  Specifically:

(1) I have heard that a new engine will not get the rated mileage for a
    while, because the piston rings need time to seat properly.  If so,
    how long should I wait till I start noticing the gas mileage rise?

(2) The owner's manual advises the use of gasoline with a minimum octane
    rating (RON) of 91 -- which for practical purposes means "premium"
    or "super-unleaded" gas.  I have been using "just-plain-unleaded"
    gas with an octane rating of 87.  The engine seems to run fine (no
    problems with knocking, etc.), but would the difference in octane
    rating between "unleaded" and "super-unleaded" account for my low
    gas mileage?

-- Rich Wales
    wales@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA
    ...!{ihnp4,ucbvax}!ucla-cs!wales

chim@ncsu.UUCP (Bill Chimiak) (07/26/84)

The type of fuel does make a difference in my 240Z.  With
premium (unleaded - shucks) I will get 2 to 3 mpg better mileage
than with regular (89 octane LEADED).

marcus@pyuxt.UUCP (M. G. Hand) (07/27/84)

You amaze me!  You spend $X000 on a brand new car and then risk screwing
up the engine to save a few cents a gallon.  They don't recommend a
specific octane rating to benefit the oil company, but because it is
the most suitable for your engine.

Good grief!
		marcus hand  (beep! beep!)

"Rule 3: Always trust Centauri!"