Article: A HIGH-OCTANE DISPUTE OVER GASOLINE GRADES INDUSTRY GROUP DISPUTES CLAIMS BY AAA THAT PREMIUM SELDOM NEEDED.(Business)

The American Automobile Association and an oil industry group locked horns yesterday, a day after the AAA said drivers wasted $1.7 billion a year buying higher-octane gasoline.

``Many drivers are falling for the `octane myth' in gasoline ads and are giving $1.7 billion to the nation's oil industry needlessly,'' the Washington-based motorists group said in a statement Tuesday.

The AAA said consumers should realize ``only exotic cars, some sport utility vehicles and vehicles with high-performance engines really need premium,'' which costs consumers about 15 cents a gallon more than regular grade fuel.

The nationwide auto club contended that fewer ...

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