Dear Tom and Ray:

We really enjoy your column! Our car is a 1992 Honda Accord. Our service man tells us that we would get better mileage as well as a cleaner engine if we use unleaded premium gas instead of the recommended -- and cheaper -- plain unleaded. We do not have money to waste. What do you say? -- George

Tom: Well, if you had money to waste, I'd say sure, use premium unleaded!

Ray: A waste of your money is ALL you'll get from premium fuel in your car, George. Some cars require premium gasoline because they have high compression ratios and require the higher octane fuel to prevent pinging. But yours isn't one of those cars.

Tom: You won't get measurably better mileage, you won't get a cleaner engine (because almost all regular unleaded has the same detergents found in premium gasolines), and your car will create more pollution.

Ray: Sounds like a deal, huh?

Tom: So stick with the manufacturer's recommendation for octane. No more, no less. And save your hard-earned money for luxuries you'll be able to really enjoy-- like crushed Corinthian seat covers.

How can you tell if a used car is in good condition -- or even OK, for that matter? Find out by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know." Send $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Used Car, PO Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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