how much of a diff is the highest grade of gas compared to regular? is it really worth the extra 20 cents?

Question

just seein if i should put premium gas in my car

Answer 1

You did not say what type of car you have so I will assume you are driving a newer car. Premium gas is always the best way to go. The higher octane fuels burn cleaner and provide your car with much better emissions and fewer fuel problems down the road. Because the fuel burns clean and more efficiently you will also notice an increase in power and better fuel economy.

Just for the record premium fuels actually slow the burn process down... (not speed things up... big misconception) this is where the increase in power and fuel economy come in...

You will also benefit from adding regular FI cleaner to you fuel tank. ! bottle at every oil change is usually adequate

Answer 2

My answer is purely anecdotal,but I used to drive from Denver to Salt Lake City once a week in a Ford pick up.When I used Regular gas I had to fill up on average 50 miles sooner as compared to Premium.I believe the Premium burned slower.Of course this was out in the wide open spaces of Wyoming!

Answer 3

hi they say the highest grade will give you a cleaner engine in the long run.. thats it. just a cleaner engine inside. you will have to take it apart to look and see. no difference in performance . you can use a gas additive once or twice to clean the engine inside when its about 100k miles and have thesame results not to mention the savings you acquired.
i have used the cheapest gas on my 92gmc truck since new and still running great. i now have 180k miles on it. but if your vehicle manufacturer recommends a premium gas then you just have to. some new cars will have a knock sensor and compensate for the low grade gas.

Answer 4

Ahh, the Octane question.

The premium gas is needed IF, and ONLY if, your car was designed to use it. A vehicle only needs a higher octane if it is pinging or pre-igniting with the lower octane fuel. You would notice this as sputtering and knocking. If your car runs well on the 87 octane fuel (which is the case for 90% of all cars) higher octane is just a waste of fuel and money.

Answer 5

Each car is different. When I got my new truck, it said for optimum performance to use mid-grade at 10 cents higher(premium was specifically not recommended). As gas prices increased, I switched to regular for about 3 tanks. I noticed a 1.5 to 2 mpg decrease therefore making it more cost effiecient to use the mid-grade. Check your owner's manual to see what it suggests and then if you have some option, test it yourself.

Answer 6

The difference is in octane. Cars with higher compression engines (high performance, like a Lexus, BMW, Mustang GT, WRX, etc.) need the extra octane to prevent detonation (when the engine knocks under strain, like fast acceleration). That will eventually burn up pistons, though the computers nowdays do try and compensate engine settings when low grade gas goes in a car that needs high grade.

Normal cars, with lower compression engines, don't need it and the extra octane does absolutely nothing. If your owners manual/gas filler/cap says you need it, you need it. If not, go cheaper.

Answer 7

The difference really does matter in some cars because some cars only take premium.

Answer 8

My owners manual says the engine needs 91 octane to run at proper efficency. If yours says the same, then yes. Otherwise i doubt it'll make much difference

Answer 9

If your vehicle is rated for Unleaded, that is what it should consume. Premium does not help with gas mileage. It should only be used by vehicles that require it or you would just be wasting your money.

Answer 10

My husband insists that certain engines, like ones with fuel injection, must have higher octane, or they will knock. He insists we use premium. And here in So Cal, its up to $3.33