WDC's Practical Car Perseveration

[clyde]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I have not tried premium gas yet, which is alleged to add some HP and torque. I doubt I would notice that around town. Perhaps I would on the highway.

Don't be too sure you won't notice, however the effect is likely to feel more pronounced if you run the higher octane for a few tanks and then do a lower octane tank.

The very small hesitations and retarded timing jump out at you when your feel is calibrated for them to not be there much more so when you're on your cheap gas feel calibration.

Said another way, if the engine is safe to run on the lower octane stuff and you're happy with it, maybe best to not see how the other half lives.

OTOH, it's also possible that higher octane will give you measurably improved MPG. I did a good bit of testing in the Focus ST in 2013 and 2014 and MPG was usually better with the higher octane to the point the lower octane didn't really save me any money. The $ spread between octane ratings was smaller then so it might be more of a wash or tipped towards the lower octane now, though.

Either way, cars that can take advantage of the higher octane even if they don't "need" it, tend to feel better when they use it. But, again, if you are calibrated to the car running on the lower octane and happy with it, probably best to leave it alone.

Oh, and I have a heated steering wheel, but the heat is not 360 on the wheel. Seems like a cheapo thing.

That's kind of bizarre, but is the heat where you usually have your hands?

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by kognito

Do you have a middle selection on gas? Living on a lake we have so many nice options on gas, depending on what you want to spend. There is regular, mid, and premium, and also all three without the corn/ethanol crap added. Boat motors really don't like the corn crap.


Wife's new fusion also has a limited heated steering wheel. seems that just the molded area where you are "supposed" the hold the wheel is the olny spot where the heater element is

Exactly. The heat is right at the thumb grips.

We only have low and high here.

Originally Posted by clyde

Don't be too sure you won't notice, however the effect is likely to feel more pronounced if you run the higher octane for a few tanks and then do a lower octane tank.

The very small hesitations and retarded timing jump out at you when your feel is calibrated for them to not be there much more so when you're on your cheap gas feel calibration.

Said another way, if the engine is safe to run on the lower octane stuff and you're happy with it, maybe best to not see how the other half lives.

OTOH, it's also possible that higher octane will give you measurably improved MPG. I did a good bit of testing in the Focus ST in 2013 and 2014 and MPG was usually better with the higher octane to the point the lower octane didn't really save me any money. The $ spread between octane ratings was smaller then so it might be more of a wash or tipped towards the lower octane now, though.

Either way, cars that can take advantage of the higher octane even if they don't "need" it, tend to feel better when they use it. But, again, if you are calibrated to the car running on the lower octane and happy with it, probably best to leave it alone.



That's kind of bizarre, but is the heat where you usually have your hands?

See above. Yep!

And interesting about the gas. I live very close to a Costco, so even the premium is very reasonable—and it’s Top Tier. I am inclined to try a few tanks.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by kognito

Do you have a middle selection on gas? Living on a lake we have so many nice options on gas, depending on what you want to spend. There is regular, mid, and premium, and also all three without the corn/ethanol crap added. Boat motors really don't like the corn crap.


Wife's new fusion also has a limited heated steering wheel. seems that just the molded area where you are "supposed" the hold the wheel is the olny spot where the heater element is

Or rather, ethanol isn't great for long term storage. And also many boat motors start out life two decades behind the present technologically.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Exactly. The heat is right at the thumb grips.

We only have low and high here.

See above. Yep!

And interesting about the gas. I live very close to a Costco, so even the premium is very reasonable—and it’s Top Tier. I am inclined to try a few tanks.

If you have access to Costco gas easily, run premium. You'll be happier.

[wdc330i]

I’m not sure what the dealer filled it up with (it’s still on its first tank), but I’ll bet it was regular.

Also wondering if the brakes would feel better with a different set of tires. Car came with Toyos. And I’m sure they’ll last me a long time, given that my meager driving will be split across the two cars.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I’m not sure what the dealer filled it up with (it’s still on its first tank), but I’ll bet it was regular.

Also wondering if the brakes would feel better with a different set of tires. Car came with Toyos. And I’m sure they’ll last me a long time, given that my meager driving will be split across the two cars.

Tires won't change brake feel unless you're running into traction issues.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

Tires won't change brake feel unless you're running into traction issues.

Hmm. Gracias.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Hmm. Gracias.

You can likely get better bite with different brake pads. The Japanese do tend to ship pretty lackluster pads from the factory.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

You can likely get better bite with different brake pads. The Japanese do tend to ship pretty lackluster pads from the factory.

Ah. Thanks!

[FC]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

End of year discount on a new 2021 Signature.

Can't believe I missed this! Congrats!!!