With fuel availability still low in the Chattanooga area and premium grades even harder to find, experts say some car owners may have to park their luxury rides or put up with less performance.

“The premium fuels are the first ones taken off-line and the last ones to go back online,” said Randy Bly, community relations director for AAA Auto Club South.

Bill Reynolds, manager of the Firestone store near Northgate Mall, said he doesn’t believe using a lower grade fuel than recommended by the automaker will have any long-term effect on a vehicle.

“Basically it gives you a detonation problem,” Mr. Reynolds said of using a lower grade in a high performance vehicle.

He said it could cause valve clatter, ticking and create a lack of power.

“It shouldn’t cause any long-term damage,” he said.

Terry Jones, service manager at Herb Adcock Chevrolet, is less confident the lower-grade fuels wouldn’t cause problems, but he believes it would be acceptable to use them until the hurricane-induced shortage is over.

“I don’t think it would cause any real damage,” he said. “It may cause some drivability issues.”

Mr. Reynolds recommended drivers forced to use a fuel grade lower than their car is designed for might want to consider an octane boost additive, which can be bought at some gas stations and almost all auto parts stores.

“It won’t be very scientific, but it might get you through until gas comes back,” he said.

Fuel officials said the Colonial pipeline, which delivers fuel to the Chattanooga area, is operating at full capacity for the first time in more than two weeks after refineries were shut down in preparation for hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast.

Many stations in Chattanooga remained out Wednesday, awaiting deliveries from suppliers.

The lots of the stations that had fuel were filled with cars, many of them lined up into the street waiting to get fuel.

Officials said gas supplies are on their way.

“I think it is going to get better each day,” Mr. Bly said.

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