Does Super Unleaded Really Improve Performance and Reduce Maintenance Issues?

Question

I have heard from several mechanics over the years that on of the best things you can do for your engine is run Super Unleaded, or High Octane gasoline.

Is this true?

Answer 1

No.
If your engine does not need Super Unleaded, or High Octane gasoline you are wasting your money.

High Compression engines, and some other high performance engines require a higher octane value to run without detonation ( knocking). However, most of today's engines are tuned and designed to run on regular fuel.
These mechanics must have been pulling your leg.

Yours: Grumpy

Answer 2

Only if the engine requires the octane to reduce pinging.. most engines rather the regular stuff as it will actually run at peak on 87 octane that it was designed for.. a higher octane just slows the burning process and actually will make less performance on a regular motor.

Forget the ATF if you have a 1975 or newer car as it can destroy the cat convertors under the car

Higher octane gases sometimes have more cleaning detergents in them compared to regualr gas but a bottle of fuel injector cleaner will do the same thing for less cost IMO

Answer 3

Octane rating of gasoline is simply a rating system measuring the flammability or igniton properties of the gas. The higher the octane, the harder it is to ignite. Therefore, using a gasoline with higher octane than recommended in a vehicle will cause unburned gas to pass out of the cylinders and out of the exhaust system. In some cases this creates driveability problems since vehicles have oxygen sensors which monitors the exhaust for proper combustion which are located in the exhaust system. When these sensors detect unburned fuel (a over-rich fuel/air mixture) going through the exhaust system, they send a message to the vehicle's computer which sends a message to the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) system to adjust the amount of fuel delivered to the injectors in the cylinders. Of course, the use of higher than recommended octane is to blame since the gas does not ignite properly and completely. Bear in mind also, that improper combustion within the engine can cause problems with the catalytic converter and unburned fuel is your money going out of the exhaust pipe into the air. Stick with the fuel octane that is recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle and you might avoid possible engine damage or driveability issues.

Answer 4

You should use the fuel octane rating that the manufacturer recommends. If the engine pings with the recommended octane fuel using a higher octane fuel will only magnify the ping and may cause further damage.It is best to go to a mechanic and check out why the engine is pinging.

Answer 5

some cars will actually lose some performance on high-test. My SUV improves somewhat but I don't run it all the time as it can cause some problems.
I suggest using a halfpint of ATF in your gas tank(figure 10gals) at fillup. If you have a 20gal tank then use a pint, I do this like every 3mos. ATF is a detergent oil so it cleans and lubricates the pump and injectors which will improve fuel economy and performance. No need to use it all the time though.

Answer 6

No it is not true. If your vehicle is designed to run on 87 octane, then that is what you should use, unless the owner's manual or fuel filler door specifies premium fuel. Ford actually put out a service bulletin years ago, advising us technicians to tell the customer to use regular fuel, because the use of premium fuel in the 3.0 liter and 4.0 liter engines caused higher levels of carbon deposits, and I have seen this first hand on engines that were operated on premium fuel.

Answer 7

no it does not,,there is a myth about gas that most people think,,the more they pay the better the gas is,,not always true,,and especially now days i have watched one local gas station in our home town dump regular in the high test tank in the ground,,and people are paying almost 20 cents more for it,,thinking they will get better performance ,,and mileage,,only in some cases when you actually get high test gas will it help you,,and most of the time the gain is not worth the extra cost of the fuel,,usually it is a small gain,,like a mile or two,,never any more,,as long as you run gas from a good station that sells a lot of gas,,and has their tanks far enough above ground so that they don't get rained in,,you will be OK,,take the extra money you was going to spend on gas ,,and by your self something with it,,i hope this help,s

Answer 8

If you have a high performance, high compression engine higher octane will stop knocking. That is all. Most cars will not know difference. Just a waste of $.

Answer 9

It does not increase performance. You only need to run Premium fuel if your car needs it. The best thing that you can do for your engine is change the oil often, keep the filters clean, and keep it maintained. If your car does not require premium fuel, you are wasting your money on it. I hope those several mechanics you referred to was telling you to run it in a car that requires it. If it isn't, I wouldn't take my car to them to fix.

Answer 10

fuel with a higher octane count
will burn cleaner, leaving
less deposits on the parts
that fuel passes by

there will be less clogs in
your fuel injectors,
less build up on the spark plugs,
thus better wear on your engine.

you can add gas treatment
occasionally instead of buying
the more expensive gas