Does premium gas make a difference in your gas mileage?

Answer 1

This question should be answered in two parts, long term and short term.

Short term: NO.

Your car is designed to run on a specific octane rating. increasing the octane in your tank does not increase performance or mileage.

Years ago, gasoline marketers advertised their octane ratings and the race was on to have the highest octane available. There was no benefit to the average consumer and the gov't suggested to the oil companies that they stop selling gas on the octane rating. Which leads to the long term answer to your question...

Long term: (possibly) YES.

Premium grades tend to have more detergents, which will help your engine run more efficiently. If you buy a quality gasoline ( www.toptiergas.com ), you get a better detergent additive package that will, in the long term, keep your engine cleaner and running more efficiently. Top Tier gasoline marketers exceed industry standards on product quality.

The key to better gas mileage is to keep your engine running efficiently. Either purchase a quality gasoline or regularly add a cleaning agent to your tank, like Gumout.

I work for Shell Oil, which markets V Power, their premium gasoline. V Power has 5 times the required detergents, which will actually clean gunk out of your engine, increasing performance and mileage, because your engine runs more efficiently. I'm not telling you to buy Shell, that's why I supplied the Top Tier link above. I don't even run V Power more often than every 5th tank. (I can't afford it any easier than you can.) But I always buy a Top Tier gas when I have the option. My cars run better between tuneups and I've had mechanics comment on how well my engines run, both with over 100K miles on them.

The Top Tier program was started by auto manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi) to identify those producers who supply a top quality product for consumers. The only way to get listed as a Top Tier producer is to meet their standards for ALL grades of gasoline.

I hope you found this response helpful!

Answer 2

It will if your car's engine requires a higher octane rating it will get the best gas mileage(and performance) only with the premium gas. Trying to use cheap gas in a car that requires higher octane, it will run but, the computer will seriously de-tune the engine so that it won't detonate (it will get less gas mileage, besides the poor performance).

If the car doesn't require higher octane then NO, you're just wasting money if your using premium gas.

However, if you have made performance modifications, such as a performance chip, your car will then require premium gas. Performance chips advance the ignition timing, to get the better performance, that's why it requires premium. If you tried to use regular gas then, it would trigger the knock sensor and retard the ignition to stock, so why bother having a performance chip if you're not going to use premium.

Answer 3

Short and simple, no.

I have a 97 eclipse gsx and at first, I used regular gas because I didnt know any better. However, the gsx is turbo and needs premium. When I first put premium gas in it, I noticed no more knocking from my engine. The gas mileage was still the same however. Get a K&N air filter and aftermarket intake if you want to increase gas mileage. Keeping tires inflated is important too.

Answer 4

The only difference between premium and regular is that the "premium" gas has a higher octane rating. If your vehicle calls high octane or premium gas, you should use it. If not, you are wasting your money.

The octane rating has to do with the compression and temperature at which gas ignites in your cylinder. High-compression engines have a problem with the gas igniting before the spark plug goes off. That is called pre-ignition and it is hard on the engine. If you don't have a high compression engine, premium fuel does nothing.

Answer 5

Only if the car was designed to be operated on premium fuel. Then it makes a difference. I have had to run 89 octane a couple of time in my Mercedes that requires 91, and the difference was about 2 MPG.

Answer 6

No. Octane is simply a rating.

It's like computer memory. If your computer needs PC2700, you can put in faster PC3200 memory, but the extra speed is wasted. The computer won't use it.

Most cars require the bottom octane gas. If you put higher octane in, the extra octane is wasted.

Some cars require higher octane gas (sportscars). If you use lower octane gas, the engine won't run right!

A few cars can dynamically adjust their engine parameters for the octane of the fuel they have. Those few cars will make the best of whatever octane you put in it. (and you are allowed to mix-and-match.)

Answer 7

No...the only reason for higher octane gas is for higher compression engines. Go by your owners manual....if the car uses regular gas, then use regular. The higher ocatane rating won't do a thing for you except empty your wallet faster.
See the below link for a good article on this subject. Hope this helps

Answer 8

using premium fuel will not increase your mpg. Premium fuel ignites at a different temperature than regular fuel. Some high performance cars and motorcycles require premium fuel to limit pre-ignition or incomplete combustion.

Answer 9

No - higher octane prevents engine knock (detonation) in higher compression engines. Using higher grade fuel than your car requires won't result in any gains. If you use a lower grade fuel, the ECU in most modern cars will adjust timing automatically to compensate - your engine won't be destroyed but performance will be hurt a bit. Older cars or cars with less advanced ECU can be damaged from using lower grade fuel. Stick with what your owner's manual recommends.

Answer 10

Not enough that it matters. If anything, it would make the car run better, but not save you money.

Really you should consult your owners manual to see the recommended octane. You can actually burn up parts if you are running the wrong octane.