⛽ What Is Premium Gas?
Premium gas is fuel with a higher octane rating, usually 91 to 93. Octane rating measures a fuel’s ability to resist "knocking"—that annoying pinging sound when fuel burns unevenly in your engine.
Regular gas is usually 87 octane, and mid-grade falls somewhere in the middle.
🧠 Do Higher Octane Levels Make Gas “Better”?
Not exactly. Premium gas doesn’t have special additives or magical cleaning power—it just resists engine knock better. That’s helpful for high-performance or turbocharged engines, which run at higher compression.
So, if your car manual says it requires premium, it’s because the engine is built for it. Using regular gas in these engines could lead to reduced performance or long-term damage.
🚗 What Happens If You Use the Wrong Type?
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If your car requires premium and you use regular: You might hear knocking, lose power, or even damage your engine over time.
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If your car recommends premium: You can usually still use regular without major issues, but you may notice slightly lower performance or MPG.
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If your car runs on regular: Don’t waste your money on premium—it won’t boost horsepower or clean your engine better.
💰 Is It Worth Paying Extra?
Premium gas can cost 30–60 cents more per gallon. If your car doesn’t need it, it’s basically like paying for bottled water at a restaurant when tap would’ve done the job just fine.
✅ Bottom Line
Only use premium gas if your car needs it. Check your owner’s manual or inside your gas cap. If it just says “recommended,” feel free to test both types and see if you notice a difference. For most drivers in everyday cars, regular gas is all you need.