Have you ever wondered if the kind of gas you put in your car really makes a difference?
Premium gasoline is significantly more expensive than regular unleaded gas, so most assume that it must be beneficial to a car’s engine. However, that’s not necessarily the case.
The only reason you should splurge on high-octane gas is if your car requires it or if regular unleaded gas makes your engine knock. A knocking engine can be a sign that your vehicle has a higher compression ratio and may require premium gas.
Here’s what a team of ASE-certified mechanics say about the difference between premium and regular gasoline:
Most cars have a low compression ratio, which means low octane gas is perfectly fine. If you wanted to use premium gas, though, it definitely wouldn’t hurt it; however, you probably wouldn’t see much benefit either. So, if your owner’s manual doesn’t say you have to put premium gasoline in your vehicle, don’t pay the higher price.
Visit Edmunds.com to learn more about the differences between premium and regular gas.