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"Grade Gap" widens as consumption of premium drops

GasBuddy Blog -- "Grade Gap" is the term I've dubbed to explain the gap in price between regular gasoline and other higher octane gasoline- mid-grade and premium. A decade or so ago, the "grade gap" might have been 7-8 cents per gallon (mid-grade 7-8c/gal more than regular, and premium 7-8c/gal more than mid-grade), but my oh my how things have changed.

If you've been driving a car that requires premium fuel, you've likely noticed- I know I have. Only a few stations now sell premium for 20c/gal more than regular. If you're lucky, you might find the grade gap single digits (premium 9c/gal higher than mid-grade, etc.) but nowadays its becoming very hard to find it. Generally, higher end or performance vehicles require premium to function as intended...

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Submitted Oct 23, 2012 By: PD

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gougenator Champion Author Dallas Posts:29,862 Points:3,245,900 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 10:53:30 PM Ignore gougenator Report Abuse grade gap is 50 cents at our chronic gouger in n. dallas
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2012 4:54:44 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse nice big tank, Ducati!
DucatiRider Rookie Author Maryland Posts:70 Points:1,200 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2012 10:16:18 AM Ignore DucatiRider Report Abuse My newest motorcycle gets about 50-65 MPG and can run on regular. That's one of the reasons I got it. It also has a 5 gallon tank, which is HUGE for a motorcycle.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2012 5:05:09 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse swep: wow. That's about how much there is between regular gas and diesel around here.
swepson Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,478 Points:1,553,325 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 8:45:51 AM Ignore swepson Report Abuse Saw a new high for me. Regular, $3.49 Premium $ 4.09 Gap .60
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2012 6:11:50 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse never looked back and never had issues. Last car got sold, less than a year later it was totalled. It had 145k+ miles and was 13+ years old. Current is 7+ yrs old.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2012 8:55:59 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse when I bought my last two cars, I was told, even though the book recommends 89, for the Southern regions, use 87 only or it will run way too rich. My other vehicle... well, never have to worry on that b/c there's only one diesel grade.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,124 Points:293,545 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 12:05:44 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse Long as your car does not ping or knock on regular gas , you should use regular.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2012 4:42:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse have never bought premium fuels. Don't care too. Lots of hype by Pig Oil.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,117 Points:2,173,975 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 1, 2012 5:16:33 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse Knowing this determines what cars you want to buy...
dcone2 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:924 Points:85,610 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 10:12:06 PM Ignore dcone2 Report Abuse ok
hpmossii Sophomore Author Pennsylvania Posts:208 Points:176,430 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 8:30:54 PM Ignore hpmossii Report Abuse Some stations promote the price of their regular gas, hoping that consumers who need premium don't notice the larger grade gap to the mid and premium blends.
WE0H Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,534 Points:481,060 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 12:42:48 PM Ignore WE0H Report Abuse EZ fix for that price gouging. Blend E85 which is 105 octane with regular 87 gas to whatever blend you need to get the required octane level. Do some tests and you'll find that many stations selling 92 octane gas are really selling E30 which is 92 octane.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,124 Points:293,545 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 10:59:16 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
truvoice1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,288 Points:475,315 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 29, 2012 4:39:03 AM Ignore truvoice1 Report Abuse Many expensive European autos demand premium fuel as well as most American and Asian performance cars. Its not surprising that some stations would try to take advantage of the pricing gap to make a few more pennies per gallon.
dcone2 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:924 Points:85,610 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 11:25:34 PM Ignore dcone2 Report Abuse ok
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,326,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 5:18:37 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse I am seeing some stations now that have pumps with 4 grades...just putting one grade (87) out there and putting it on each button. One of those stations, I noticed last week, had 5 selections and two kinds of gas. Pure gas and 87 octane 10%. Sort of strange I got rid of my premium buring car last year for this very reason. It was a pain to pull off a tollway or interstate in heavy traffic and wait on a pump and find there is no premium..
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 4:54:56 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse always been buying 87 grade here in the South. Much better burning than 93.
audiofon Rookie Author Milwaukee Posts:18 Points:18,820 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 5:06:04 AM Ignore audiofon Report Abuse i've been seeing the price gap as much at 70c/gal from regular to premium. Not to happy. just glad i only have to fill up every 7-10 days.
hmw10284 Champion Author California Posts:1,142 Points:198,200 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2012 3:14:15 PM Ignore hmw10284 Report Abuse I used to work at gas stations in HS where 91 octane was regular gas.
76Fury Rookie Author Vancouver Posts:1 Points:595 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2012 2:15:57 PM Ignore 76Fury Report Abuse Here in Vancouver Canada the gap between regular (87) and premium (91) is 13 cents a liter or about 50 cents a US gallon...that's typical for most of Canada.
zeusboy Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:47 Points:156,415 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2012 7:54:54 AM Ignore zeusboy Report Abuse Yes, this is really bad news for me. I drive a Mini Cooper S which requires premium, and it's no where near the end it's life span. The one station near me that used to keep the .10 grade gaps has now the same .15 gaps as most of the others here, now. :(
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,074 Points:1,628,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 11:10:11 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse 20 cent difference between reg and premium is rare around here. 35 to 40 cents is more the norm.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,901 Points:773,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 11:05:43 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse right now at my station, 20 cents and 25 cents between grades!
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,901 Points:773,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 11:05:09 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse crooks! I remember 2 cents between grades. 31, 33 & 35!
dcone2 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:924 Points:85,610 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 8:02:25 PM Ignore dcone2 Report Abuse ok
LeftLane1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:13,961 Points:1,865,440 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 4:57:38 PM Ignore LeftLane1 Report Abuse My other 3 do not, but I really enjoy my one that does...
dockersbin Veteran Author Virginia Beach Posts:407 Points:261,135 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 3:38:04 PM Ignore dockersbin Report Abuse all 3 of my vehicles do not require premium. And I will make sure that I never have a car that does.
LeftLane1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:13,961 Points:1,865,440 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 3:20:27 PM Ignore LeftLane1 Report Abuse I have one vehicle that demands Premium Octane fuel (Manufacturer stated to properly operate, it is considered a High Performance Brand as well) Not that it is particularly cleaner fuel, but the minimum octane requirement is 92. In my area, The Common pricing has each Grade .15 Apart, so 3.50, 3.65, 3.80 for example, So Premium is USUALLY .30 CENTS or MORE than REGULAR. I almost never see better than .30 Cents, many "Gouger" Stations may have it much more commonly, Diesel also elevated. It must be PURE PROFIT...
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,260 Points:1,877,585 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 3:16:34 PM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse Number 1 reason I won't buy a car that takes premium.
nickatnite Veteran Author Indianapolis Posts:370 Points:279,465 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 2:56:10 PM Ignore nickatnite Report Abuse ok
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,047 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 2:12:22 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse "Grade Gap" widens as consumption of premium drops! Between Regular and Premium grades, at some Chevron stations and one Shell station it can be 30 cents/gallon difference. XII/XXII/MMXII!
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,382 Points:3,452,615 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:38:42 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse how stale is this?
red82mtu Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,942 Points:790,150 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:36:30 PM Ignore red82mtu Report Abuse I've seen 15 cents a grade locally.
McMutt Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,148 Points:1,311,145 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:26:52 PM Ignore McMutt Report Abuse It total amazes me that a Smart and a Fiat would require premium fuel, but they do.
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:2,817 Points:754,835 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:19:40 PM Ignore radiorumor Report Abuse Works great in my lawnmower
BMRR Champion Author Maine Posts:2,670 Points:1,464,835 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:14:32 PM Ignore BMRR Report Abuse If you can afford a vehicle that requires premium, you can afford a few extra cents per gallon. Don't like it, buy a vehicle that runs on 87 next time.
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:8,806 Points:1,611,250 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:13:57 PM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse if you can afford it use it
QuagmireLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,079 Points:160,365 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:13:49 PM Ignore QuagmireLA Report Abuse Hadn't been paying that much attention to the price gap, but will watch out for it now.
Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,336 Points:507,900 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:13:38 PM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse if you are foolish enough to buy a vehicles that requires premium, you don't mind paying the extra 30 cents a gallon.
georged12 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:851 Points:53,785 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:13:34 PM Ignore georged12 Report Abuse Why is diesel so expensive???
hunterruss Rookie Author Michigan Posts:62 Points:504,955 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:12:52 PM Ignore hunterruss Report Abuse Did MPG stats with both. Premium does not justify the extra expense in my vehicle.
dbw03 Veteran Author Huntsville Posts:380 Points:354,880 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:12:39 PM Ignore dbw03 Report Abuse agreed.
gasper Champion Author Edmonton Posts:4,492 Points:1,369,450 Joined:Mar 2002	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:12:37 PM Ignore gasper Report Abuse I have always regular gas and it works for me. I think its not worth the extra cost for premium fuels.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:7,634 Points:1,618,955 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:10:50 PM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Old news.
heocon Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,300 Points:1,683,365 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:10:49 PM Ignore heocon Report Abuse premium is a rip off 20 to 30 cents more in some places
TJC47 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:6,213 Points:1,143,060 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:10:07 PM Ignore TJC47 Report Abuse It's a ripoff because it cost less to produce preminum than regular fuel, according to a source of mine. Can anyone verify this?
DaisysMomNC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:959 Points:200,850 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:07:24 PM Ignore DaisysMomNC Report Abuse Old news
GryphonX Champion Author Nevada Posts:6,105 Points:1,589,075 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:02:53 PM Ignore GryphonX Report Abuse I've always thought it was such a racket ...
gasoutherneagle Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,249 Points:737,410 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 1:02:39 PM Ignore gasoutherneagle Report Abuse The blends were a marketing gimmick anyway !