Why do we still have Mid Grade Gasoline?

[Moparfreak]

I honestly don't see the need, but what do I know? Does anyone have a vehicle that calls for or requires it? It seems like todays cars require either Premium or Regular unleaded. Maybe if they didn't have to stock this in between fuel, prices might lower a little? What say you?

 

[hittman]

I’d guess it’s offered because it either sells well or is a govt requirement

 

[Cholo]

↑ Yup, because it sells.

Over the years I've had people say they use mid grade because their car knocks on regular, every single one I can remember. These were in cars that require regular gas.

I've never used it.

 

[arfmel]

In Colorado “regular” is 85 or 86 octane. My vehicles specify 87 octane. Midgrade is cheaper than premium so I usually buy that.

I doubt eliminating the choice of midgrade would reduce the price of premium.

 

[bobski]

sunoco i think is one of the last ones to pump 3-4 grades.
remember when you could get 102 octane?
the pump had a knob that you turned to what you wanted.

i think also the 3 grades has something to do with elevation. higher octane for going thru passes, carb/jet adjustments, etc..

 

[sceva]

Because people that should know better think that if regular is good a step up should be better.

 

[codebreaker]

nevermind

 

[Moparfreak]

Because people that should know better think that if regular is good a step up should be better.

I tend to agree with you. Almost all cars from the last 25 to 30 years should (with modern fuel injection) run just fine on 87. That said I've always been near sea level. I have had friends put premium in their regular octane required cars and it still baffles me. The manufacturer would let you know if it was required.

 

[Moparfreak]

sunoco i think is one of the last ones to pump 3-4 grades.
remember when you could get 102 octane?
the pump had a knob that you turned to what you wanted.

i think also the 3 grades has something to do with elevation. higher octane for going thru passes, carb/jet adjustments, etc..

In the older days of carbs i agree.

 

[Kevin]

In Colorado “regular” is 85 or 86 octane. My vehicles specify 87 octane. Midgrade is cheaper than premium so I usually buy that.

I doubt eliminating the choice of midgrade would reduce the price of premium.

This is something I’ve never thought about. But the OP’s question makes sense. Most cars use either regular or premium (like most German Cars.) I have an Audi that takes Premium.

But I beg to differ. I would think eliminating the middle would make everything cheaper. It would be cheaper for the station. They don’t need three holding tanks. The pumps would be simpler.

AND!!! The processing factory would have to do a third less work.

 

[Jeepnik]

Well, my '78 Ford specified it. So yea, older and modified cars often need it. Oh, and wouldn't you know it, the feds mandate its production.
Because refineries must make it, they pretty much mandate stations sell it.

 

[Cholo]

They don’t need three holding tanks.

Unless something's changed, mid grade is mixed using regular and premium while pumping.

 

[Major E.A. Sterner]

When I had a Dodge Magnum RT and a Chrysler 300c with the Hemi it was required to use at least a mid grade gas from the manufacturer.

 

[GypsmJim]

My 2025 XT5 specifies "regular" if you opt for the V6 engine. But the turbo 4 calls for mid range.

 

[Fox Mike]

Use the lowest grade that doesn't give 'engine knock' under load. There is no advantage of using any octane higher than what the engine operates properly when using.

 

[GRAMPS 51]

Well I have been out of the gas business for a number of years now i hauled it for 20 yrs midgrade was blended at the loading terminals for years but now most modern stations blend it right at the pumps Sunoco was first to use blend pumps so when you pull into a station look at the tank covers white covers are regular and red are super if you see a blue cover it was midgrade blended at the loading terminal so in reality when it leaves the refineries there is only super and regular and i should mention most all marinas only sell midgrade
Gramps

 

[codebreaker]

This is something I’ve never thought about. But the OP’s question makes sense. Most cars use either regular or premium (like most German Cars.) I have an Audi that takes Premium.

But I beg to differ. I would think eliminating the middle would make everything cheaper. It would be cheaper for the station. They don’t need three holding tanks. The pumps would be simpler.

AND!!! The processing factory would have to do a third less work.

Nope.

 

[adamnvrz]

My 2025 XT5 specifies "regular" if you opt for the V6 engine. But the turbo 4 calls for mid range.

id assume turbo engines would specify 91 but maybe thats just my car

 

[adamnvrz]

Well I have been out of the gas business for a number of years now i hauled it for 20 yrs midgrade was blended at the loading terminals for years but now most modern stations blend it right at the pumps Sunoco was first to use blend pumps so when you pull into a station look at the tank covers white covers are regular and red are super if you see a blue cover it was midgrade blended at the loading terminal so in reality when it leaves the refineries there is only super and regular and i should mention most all marinas only sell midgrade
Gramps

yea here in vegas i feel like blue caps arent around to much or maybe i just havent payed attention. places like costco dont even offer midgrage

 

[coach]

All my two stroke lawn equipment calls for 89 octane fuel so that’s what I use in them.

 

[GasGuzzler]

4100/4.5/4.9 Cadillacs need 89/90 which in some places is premium and some it's mid-grade. The second part of my post is the answer.

91 is the highest even close to here yet some have 92 and a few still have 93 ... which was premium everywhere in Texas in the '90's.

 

[blume357]

For some strange reason it's all I run in my work van. Back when my wife had a Porsche and the Ford Flex and I my work van it was real easy to keep up with which vehicle I put fuel in... Flex: regular, Work Van: mid grade, Porsche: premium.

 

[brucew44guns]

I honestly don't see the need, but what do I know? Does anyone have a vehicle that calls for or requires it? It seems like todays cars require either Premium or Regular unleaded. Maybe if they didn't have to stock this in between fuel, prices might lower a little? What say you?

Don't most stations have the gas pumps that blend the premium into the regular as you fill your car? Usually the gas station has no seperate storage tank for mid-grade, the pump blends it. No extra cost to dealer with pump blending.

 

[Donnieweps]

I honestly don't see the need, but what do I know? Does anyone have a vehicle that calls for or requires it? It seems like todays cars require either Premium or Regular unleaded. Maybe if they didn't have to stock this in between fuel, prices might lower a little? What say you?

Maybe someone's car knocks on regular but not on midgrade, so saves money not having to buy premium.

 

[eveled]

Unless something's changed, mid grade is mixed using regular and premium while pumping.

That makes sense. I always wondered how old the mid grade gas was if I were to buy any. I never see anyone buy it.

 

[Baxter6551]

My 2020 Ram 1500 Hemi calls for 89 octane
My wife’s 2025 German made car calls for 91
I buy gas at Costco generally and they sell 87 or 93
I pump 87 one time and then 93 the next to blend in the tank and average out (in my mind anyway) to 89.
I use only 93 in my power equipment - the mower shop says best for the equipment burns hotter.

 

[Moparfreak]

Thanks for the reply’s. I see that there are vehicles with mid grade requirements. I have just never owned one or saw it stated by the gas filler location. Makes sense to use it for detonation. I had a brand new 1991 Subaru legacy 4WD wagon and it knocked and rattled really bad. (on premium). Subaru (after numerous dealer visits and tech bulletins on this exact issue) finally told me to run 104 Octane Boost in it at every tank fill. $4.95 a can back then! Lol, got rid of the car

 

[xchecker]

Refineries make more than just automobile fuel. Dad had a Cessna that took 110 unleaded, as at the 14,000ft service ceiling any lead in the fuel would result in engine misfire, or worse, engine stall.
In the old days lead was added to slow the fuel detonation to prevent "knocking".
They also claimed the lead lubricated the the valve seats and gude seals. When lead was banned from auto fuels, all the valve seats and valve guide seals had to be reengineered.

 

[ElectraClyde]

Many (most? all?) modern engines requiring high grade will run just fine with regular, but at a reduced power level. The computer detects the octane level and adjusts accordingly.

Fill it up with the Ethyl!

 

[eveled]

I use only 93 in my power equipment - the mower shop says best for the equipment burns hotter.

FWIW, every manual I have read on my newer equipment specifically says not to use high test because it runs hotter. Heat is the enemy of small engines.