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When To Use Premium Gas

Required: If your car’s owner’s manual (or the inside of the gas door) says that premium gas is required, then you have to use premium to avoid damaging your engine. Recommended: When your owner’s manual (or the inside of the gas door) recommends premium you can still run your car on a lower grade fuel.

Can I use premium gas if I usually use regular?

Typically, “regular” gas is 87 octane, while anything over 91 octane is considered “premium” gasoline. A spokesperson with the American Automobile Association told FOX Business that it is safe to use premium fuel in your vehicle even if it takes regular.

Which cars require premium gas?

15 ‘Regular’ Cars That Take Premium Fuel Buick Envision (with 2.0L turbo) Buick Regal (all models) Buick Regal TourX (all models) Chevrolet Equinox (with 2.0-L turbo) Chevrolet Malibu (with 2.0-L turbo) Fiat 500L (all models) GMC Terrain (with 2.0-L turbo) Honda Civic (with 1.5-L turbo).

Can premium gas ruin your engine?

The higher octane gives premium gas greater resistance to early fuel ignition, which can result in potential damage, sometimes accompanied by audible engine knocking or pinging. If you use premium fuel because your engine knocks on regular, you are treating the symptom, not the cause.

Will premium gas clean my engine?

Nope. Regular, plus, and premium gas all come with detergents to mitigate against carbon deposits in your engine. Plus and premium don’t come with special powers for cleaning out the engine. If you’re interested in cleaning out your engine, you’re better off taking it in for service.

Does premium gas last longer?

Sadly, there’s nothing in premium gasoline that would make it last longer than other fuels from the pump. Since the distinguishing feature is the higher-octane levels, the only real benefit you gain is lowering the chance of engine knocking, which isn’t much of a threat on most modern fuel systems.

Is premium fuel necessary?

Premium gasoline is necessary only for those vehicles whose vehicles say “Premium Fuel Required” behind the fuel door. If your gas brand has higher levels of detergents or cold-weather additives in its premium fuel over regular, it may keep your engine cleaner, but it won’t necessarily run better.

Does premium gas do anything?

Typically, high-performance cars require premium, because their engines have higher compression ratios, while other cars can run just fine on lower octane gas. The FTC sums it up this way: “In most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner’s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit.”May 25, 2018.

What happens if you put 93 instead of 87?

If you usually fill your tank up with 87-octane gasoline and you accidentally put in a higher octane blend (say, 91, 92, or 93), don’t worry. You’re actually filling your car or truck with a different blend of gas, which means it will burn differently in your engine.

Does 93 gas burn slower?

In a word, no. On its own paying for premium gasoline does not make your car run better or get greater gas mileage. Giving your car the fuel it requires to run smoothly and efficiently, without damage to the engine, does make a difference in your fuel mileage.

What fuel is recommended for my car?

The best type of gas to put in your vehicle is whatever octane level your car’s owner’s manual specifies. Generally, here’s what you need to know about octane gas types: Regular fuel is 87 octane.

Does premium gas prevent carbon build up?

Branded gasoline, e.g. Shell, Exxon and Chevron, contain a larger concentration of detergent than required by law, and premium gasoline typically contain a higher concentration than lower octane rating gasoline. This higher concentration not only prevents carbon and gum build-up but also removes existing deposits.

What happens if you mix premium and regular gas?

You can mix regular and premium gas to get a mid-grade octane. In fact, this is what most pump stations do to get a mid-grade-level octane gas. However, mixing premium and regular in a premium car will reduce efficiency and cause it to lose its power.

Does premium gas give more power?

Contrary to popular belief, premium grade fuel does not contain more power than regular. The energy content of premium gasoline is actually a little lower than that of regular due to its additional anti-knock additives.

Is premium gas better for older cars?

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better? No. High octane gasoline doesn’t outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car’s engine. This is a myth.

Is premium gas a waste of money?

The word “premium” suggests high quality, the best of the best. But what is commonly called “premium gasoline” is a waste of money for countless drivers. Data from the American Automobile Association found that Americans are wasting $2 billion a year buying premium gasoline they don’t need.

What day of the week is cheapest to buy gas?

In general, gas prices tend to be lowest at the beginning of the week, on Monday and Tuesday, said GasBuddy’s lead petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan. As the week goes on, gas prices tend to rise until they reach their most expensive point on the weekend – especially on Friday and Saturday.