# 2001 Cadillac CTS - Maybe good fuel does help? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cadillac\ **Created:** [July 11, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-cadillac-cts-maybe-good-fuel-does-help/167154 "2020-07-11T17:31:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lee40](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/lee40/32/21703_2.png) [@Lee40](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lee40)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-cadillac-cts-maybe-good-fuel-does-help/167154/1 "2020-07-11T17:31:41Z")
Comment on high-octane fuel usage column: I had a couple-week old car that didn’t start when the temperature dropped below zero. On the second or third emergency call, the dealer recommended not using high-octane fuel. With that change I had no further starting problems (but I sold it before moving from Mississippi to Alaska). ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-cadillac-cts-maybe-good-fuel-does-help/167154/2 "2020-07-11T20:21:59Z")
Interesting. I’d like to know the thinking/chemistry behind that. ---
**Author:** ![Lee40](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/lee40/32/21703_2.png) [@Lee40](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lee40)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-cadillac-cts-maybe-good-fuel-does-help/167154/3 "2020-07-11T21:42:27Z")
``` The explanation to me was that premium gas has a slightly higher ignition point. Thus regular gas will bun in a cold cylinder somewhat more readily than hi-test. I'm cheap enough that I immediately switched and never again worried about the "premium" recommendation. One tow-truck operator who tried to start a truck of mine when it was way below zero in Minnesota, said that a flooded engine will never un-flood below 0 (I think that's the temp he mentioned). So, once my engine flooded I two options: wait till warmer weather or find a way to heat the engine up closer to zero. That truck would be well over 50 now, so it had no fancy ignition, injection or any other "in-s" to cause my indigestion. ``` ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-cadillac-cts-maybe-good-fuel-does-help/167154/4 "2020-07-11T23:02:23Z")
Thanks. That makes a certain degree (pun unintended) of sense.