Is premium gasoline worth the extra dollars, or will unleaded suffice?
Asking around can leave you with some varying opinions: “Premium is easier on your engine,” or “Unleaded is just as good and saves you money.”
One Missouri dealership has published this article examining the differences between unleaded and premium as well offering advice about which you should choose for your car.
Here’s a summary:
The Difference
The main difference between unleaded and premium is the octane content of each. Premium has a higher octane content, which can prevent knocks and pings in your car’s engine.
Unleaded or Premium?
Despite the higher octane, most professionals agree that there is no real benefit to buying premium gasoline unless you own a high performance vehicle that requires it. Most modern vehicles’ engines are built to run on lower octane gasoline, so unleaded works just fine. There are no real performance benefits when using premium.
Some vehicles require premium, so you should use it if this is the case with your car. If premium is recommended, it’s still your choice which gasoline you choose; just keep in mind that the difference isn’t as stark as some claim it to be.