I'm looking at a 2002 cont, with 53k on it. Was wondering if anyone could tell me the average mpg they get on the highway. Also do you have to run premium or can you run 89 in it. Thanks for your help.

I have a 95, basically the same engine. I get about 23-24 MPG on HWY but I do have 138,000K and I have yet to change my O2 sensors. So I am guessing your conti should be giving around 25-27 MPG.

EPA is 17/25. In mine I get about 18 City and about 24 Highway so pretty much inline with the estimates.

As for gas, premium is definately recommended (91+) and I really wouldn't put 87/89 in.

I own an 03 and get 21 mpg, better when on the highway going far far away from home. I cannot afford to put the best gas so I run her on the 87 and she does just fine, no knox and great acceloration. just my two cents

2003 ( U're probably have a TC for an 03??) No such things as a 03 Conti.

In my 2001 I get about 25 vs my previos 98 that got about 25.5 but it did have over 50K more than my 01. about 17 to 18 in the city. I run 89 sometimes but I use premium every other fill up but i'm thinking about always using premium, when U do the Math, premium is about 20 cent more than 87 and 10 cents more than 89.

Lets say U use 89, when U estimate, it will cost about $1.90 more to use premium & the car will run much better. I also find I get much better kick and gas mileage with premium. These DOHC V8's are kinda picky with gas. So theres not much of a sacrifice to use premium.

I definetly won't run 87, 89 should be the minumim but for a $1.90 more, U'll have a better running car.

My 02' got an overall average of 25.2 MPG. Go for it!

2003 ( U're probably have a TC for an 03??) No such things as a 03 Conti.

His profile says TC. If I recall, the TC requires only 87/89 as it is a SOHC engine (lower performance then the Continental).

Personally I would use premium, but for the mpg u wouldnt see that much of a change, if u were to use 89 or even 87. But premium u would get better performance by far, and u might only lose about .5 mpg, if that.

Personally I would use premium, but for the mpg u wouldnt see that much of a change, if u were to use 89 or even 87. But premium u would get better performance by far, and u might only lose about .5 mpg, if that.

It's not just MPG and performance, you also risk knock/premature detonation running 87 in a vehicle with such high compression as a Continental causing some costly repairs.