What grade of gas is best for my car?

The best type of gas to put in your vehicle is whatever octane level your car's owner's manual specifies.
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What Octane Gas Should I Use?
  • Regular fuel is 87 octane.
  • Premium is 91 or 93.
  • Midgrade falls somewhere in the middle, often 89.


Which gas is better 87 89 or 93?

Most cars on the road recommend a standard grade 87 or 89. Premium gas 90-93 is completely okay to put in a standard vehicle. Car experts say there is no risk of damage to a standard car using premium fuel.

Does it matter what grade of gas you put in your car?

If it says to use fuel with an octane rating of 87, filling your tank with a higher-octane fuel doesn't provide any extra benefits to your engine. If your vehicle manual says to use fuel with an octane rating of 89, going below that grade can affect your engine's performance and fuel efficiency.

Is higher grade gas better for your car?

A higher-octane rating means the fuel is better balanced and stabilized against spontaneous combustion, which can cause engine knocking and damage to your vehicle.

Whats better 87 or 91 gas?

The main difference with premium is its octane rating — 91 or higher compared with 87 for regular octane. The higher octane gives premium gas greater resistance to early fuel ignition, which can result in potential damage, sometimes accompanied by audible engine knocking or pinging.

What is the BEST Fuel to Use in Your Car or Truck and WHY



What happens if you 87 instead of 91?

In most cases, the vehicle will run fine, but you may experience less power and a decrease in gas mileage. In more serious cases, you may hear engine knocking or valve chatter because the fuel isn't burning right. These things could damage your engine and you should take it to your mechanic.

Do cars really need premium gas?

Premium gas — that is, gas with an octane rating of 91 or more — is required for some high performance and luxury vehicles. Gasoline with a high octane rating is more difficult to ignite, which helps prevent pre-ignition and knocking in high performance engines.

What cars require premium gas?

15 'Regular' Cars That Take Premium Fuel
  • Buick Envision (with 2.0L turbo)
  • Buick Regal (all models)
  • Buick Regal TourX (all models)
  • Chevrolet Equinox (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Chevrolet Malibu (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Fiat 500L (all models)
  • GMC Terrain (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Honda Civic (with 1.5-L turbo)


What happens if you mix 87 and 93 gas?

However, when you mix two different octane levels, you get their average. So, if you have exactly half a tank of 87-octane gas and half a tank of 93-octane gas, then you've just got a full tank of 90-octane gas. Adding higher octane gas to an engine designed to use lower octane gas will never be a problem.

Does 93 or 87 gas last longer?

Sadly, there's nothing in premium gasoline that would make it last longer than other fuels from the pump. Since the distinguishing feature is the higher-octane levels, the only real benefit you gain is lowering the chance of engine knocking, which isn't much of a threat on most modern fuel systems.

Does higher octane give better mileage?

So is Higher Octane Fuel More Efficient? In a word, no. On its own paying for premium gasoline does not make your car run better or get greater gas mileage. Giving your car the fuel it requires to run smoothly and efficiently, without damage to the engine, does make a difference in your fuel mileage.

Does premium fuel clean your engine?

Today's premium fuels contain additives and detergents that help clean fuel injectors and remove carbon deposits inside of engines, thus, incentivizing motorist with engines that use regular fuel to, on occasion, use premium gas to clean their engines.

Does premium gas last longer?

No, premium gas does not last longer than regular gasoline in a fuel tank. A car owner might only consider the longevity of a car's gas if the vehicle has been sitting unused for an extended period.

Is there really a difference between 87 and 93?

Regular gas is rated at 87 octane in most states, while premium gas is often rated higher at 91 or 93. Fuel with a higher octane rating can stand up to higher compression before it detonates. Essentially, the higher the octane rating, the lower the likelihood that detonation happens at the wrong time.

Can I mix 87 and 89 gas?

It won't hurt the car at all to put a mix of 87/89 in, or straight 89, but your wallet may feel a bit lighter.

Does premium gas burn slower?

Octane ratings are plastered all over every gas pump, and, contrary to marketing terminology, "premium" does not necessarily indicate a fuel is "better" for your car as much as whether it is "right" for your car. Fuel with an 87 octane rating burns more quickly while higher-octane fuels burn more slowly.

Can you pump gas with car running?

Is it illegal to pump gas while your car is running? Pumping gas with the engine running is illegal in all 50 states. The safety risks may be minimal, but the law is clear and you should always turn off the car before refueling.

What gas station has the best quality gas?

Chevron. Of America's largest nationwide chains, Chevron scores the highest points in overall customer satisfaction. Its reach spans over 7,800 stores, and while some gas stations offer convenient food marts, one location in North Hollywood goes above and beyond gasoline.

Can higher octane hurt your engine?

It won't hurt the engine, nor does it require a higher octane. If you hear a heavier or ongoing knock, however, don't ignore it. Make the switch to the next higher grade octane and see if that takes care of it. If the knocking persists, see your trusty mechanic.

What happens if you mix premium and regular gas?

Can I mix premium and unleaded gas? Yes, drivers can mix the two types of fuel. The combined gas types will result in an octane level somewhere in the middle — something the vehicle “will survive,” according to The Drive.

What happens if I don't use premium gas?

Other things to consider: failing to use high-octane fuel in your premium vehicle could cause engine knock or pinging, which sounds like there's a large woodpecker under your hood; you could experience damage to your components; and using the wrong octant level could even void your warranty. Ouch.

Is there a big difference between 87 and 91?

The main difference between 87 and 91 octane gas is just the additive that they add to it. They are still the same unleaded gasoline that will work on your car. The purpose of the additive is to make the gas more resistant to pre-detonation, more commonly known as pinging or knocking.

Will premium gas hurt my car?

Cars that require premium gasoline have high-compression engines, turbochargers, and other high-performance aspects. Not using premium won't necessarily hurt your engine, but you could lose some of the performance of that premium engine you paid for if you use regular or midgrade gas.

Is there a benefit to using premium gas?

Pro: Premium gas will extend the life of your engine.

Premium gas has a higher octane level, making it much smoother for your engine. By ensuring that the engine combustion occurs at the right times, premium gas limits the amount of damage improper engine combustion may cause.

What speed is best for gas mileage?

The Energy Saving Trust says that the most efficient speed you can travel in a car in terms of achieving the best fuel economy is 55-65mph. Any faster, though, and the fuel efficiency decreases rapidly. For example, driving at 85mph uses 40% more fuel than at 70mph (oh, and it's illegal too). 8.