Get the 2.4L. Not only does it smoke the 2.2 on an onramp, the VVT automatically adjusts cam & spark timing for current driving conditions. The 2.4L also has gobs more torque off the line. With a 4-banger, you will treasure every ft/lb. you can get.

 

i second that

 

I third that....

 

On my 2nd tank of 92 I got 26.5 MPG on a mix of city/city highway (Minneapolis). No open road on that tank. Averaged 32 MPH. That's up from the 22 - 24 MPG I was getting with 87 where I averaged 31 MPH. I will NOT go back to 87 ever again.

FYI, I have the 2.4l.

 

This comes straight out of the pdf manual:
If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code P), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is
less than 87, you may notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.

Notice it says you can use 87 or higher. I been using 87 octane no knocking and have 13219 miles on. I am switching to 89 or 91 because of the bad fuel pumps. Which lower gas octane could be the problem of bad fuel pumps.

 

I put in premium and the tank lasted longer. I guess it'll be good to do another test. At what point does the price difference between 87 and 92 pay to go premium? Or to NOT go premium.


We all may as well get the best possible mileage for our money with these rising gas prices. Performance will have to be second in my shceme or things.
If I drive with a light foot, the performance mods like the new air intake and muffler ( going on Thursday ), should actually add to better MPG,. Or so the forum suggests.

Then, I figure to get the custom tune offered by Ludicriss. Some of what he said if I remember correctly was the tune could be made so 'the car ran on 87 octain as if it was 92 octain.' I need to talk to him more about this. I want an increase in MPG and any performance/automatic transmission shifting upgrades that can come with it.
Too much money going down the tank these days.

 

Here in St. Louis, premium cost 20 cents more than regular.

I get 3 mpg's better with premium.

This is the math I used, if I figured this wrong, let me know.

Based on 14 gallons, it costs $2.80 more to fill up with permium.

But if I'm getting 3 mpg more that's 42 miles further per tank of gas. It takes about 1 1/2 gallons of gas to drive that far. That would cost at $3 a gallon, $4.50. so I'm saving $1.70 a tank by using premium. Plus the car runs better.

I'd say that's a WIN/WIN situatiuon!!

 

I've been putting 87 since day one. I get a combined mileage of 24-25mpg. I commute 70 miles roundtrip to work everyday, combined city and highway miles. On my next tank I'll put 91 to see if there is any difference.

Ng

 

well when I picked up my wagon this past weekend, they filled it up for me, no idea what they put in it. I'll be filling up probably tomorrow, maybe the next day... LOL... I might wait til Friday...

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my little red wagon..??

 

I ran both premium and regular in my HHR with the 2.4 and I could not tell a difference between the two in regards to performance and mileage. Save your money and use regular.