Your vehicle’s fuel level starts to go down and you know it’s time to fill up the tank. What you may not know is what high-octane fuel is or how it affects your vehicle. Unless you hear your car’s, engine knocking, there is no need to put a higher-octane gas in your tank. You may think that buying the higher-octane, or premium, gas is better for your car and will make it perform better. This is a common belief, probably based on the commercials selling gasoline. But if you look in your owner’s manual, you’ll find that the recommended gas for most vehicles is economy and standard, low octane. Show Octane Levels  Most gas stations offer motorists three octane levels: regular (87), mid-grade (89) and premium (91-93). Some stations offer even more, including a super-premium, which is usually rated at 93. However, people usually mistake the grades as “good,” “better,” “best” instead of “regular,” “mid-grade,” “premium.” It can be confusing, especially when each gas station uses different names for their octane levels. Some stations name their mid-grade gas “special” or “plus” and their premium “super.” If you’re confused, just go by the octane level.
About Octane What does octane measure? Octane ratings refer to the fuel’s ability to burn, or combust, in the engine. There really isn’t much difference between 83 octane or 95 octane (octane levels can vary from one gas station to the next), unless you are a chemist. Deciding which octane level to use depends on the compression ratio of your engine, so check with your dealer, local mechanic, or car manual. Lower octanes (83-87) used in most cars are made to combust easily and more rapidly. Today’s cars with low-combustion engines also have computers that keep checking on the fuel/air mixture to eliminate the knocking (often the combustion of gas before the spark) that was common in older models. Higher octanes (92-97), which burn evenly, more slowly, and have little chance of pre-igniting in the combustion chamber, which can improve a car’s acceleration and provide more mechanical energy to the drive train, hence more power. Cleaning Properties Does higher-octane gas clean engines better? Not really. The EPA mandates that all gas, no matter the octane level or brand, add cleaning agents. In other words, all levels of gas and all brands carry similar cleaning agents. Will knocking harm my engine? If you experience a light knocking sound from time to time, there’s usually no need to worry. 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. Load up the snacks and crank up the tunes, because summer road trip season is officially here. But while you’re at it, don’t forget one important detail for your cross-country caravan: the fuel that powers it. Summer trips mean long hours on the road hauling heavy gear. Towing loads like boats and campers can be especially taxing on the family car. So before you hit the open road this summer, make sure you’re using a fuel that’s been engineered to meet your vehicle’s needs.When you’re at the gas pump, you probably see multiple grades of fuel to choose from. Fuel grades like regular, plus and premium are dictated by their octane rating. Many people assume a higher-octane gasoline will automatically give their vehicle better mileage or more power, but that isn’t necessarily the case. So what do those different octane ratings at the pump really mean? Why octane ratings matter for your engine Gasoline-powered motors work by igniting a mixture of air and fuel at carefully timed intervals with a spark plug. Prior to each combustion, this air-fuel mixture is compressed, allowing its maximum energy potential to be extracted. But because compression creates immense heat, a fuel must be able to withstand extreme temperatures, otherwise it can misfire prematurely. This issue, where the air-fuel mixture combusts spontaneously instead of from the spark plug, is known as “knocking,” named after the sound it produces. An octane rating is simply a measure of how heat resistant a fuel is in order to prevent knocking. In other words, octane doesn’t enhance combustion — it prevents the air-fuel mixture inside an engine from igniting before it’s supposed to. The higher a fuel’s octane, the more resistant it is to knocking. If you hear knocking, you could be using the wrong octane for your ride. The recommended octane rating varies by vehicle, so always consult your owner’s manual to determine which is right for you. Some vehicles require a higher octane rating because they have what’s known as supercharged or turbocharged engines that create higher compression levels. Which octane rating should you use? You should always use at least the minimum octane rating recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Using a lower-octane fuel than required can cause knocking and will prevent your vehicle from meeting its stated fuel economy. Over time, filling up with fuel that’s not up to your vehicle’s requirements can damage both your engine and emissions control system. On the other hand, using a fuel with a higher octane rating than your vehicle requires will never do any harm, but it won’t necessarily benefit you either. Higher-octane fuels can potentially increase performance in some vehicles when towing heavy loads, especially in hot summer weather. Under normal conditions, though, the best octane to use is the one recommended by your owner’s manual. No matter which octane level your vehicle requires, you can depend on CENEX® TOP TIER™ DETERGENT GASOLINE to fuel your summer road trips. With a multifunctional, industry-leading additives package that comes standard in every grade, Cenex gasoline gives you worry-free, fuel-efficient miles on the road. LEARN MORE about TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and use our LOCATIONS FINDER to see Cenex stores on your route. Now who wants to ride shotgun?
Spread The WordShould I put higher octane in my car?High Octane Fuel Myth or Fact? Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money. Premium gas costs 15-20 cents per gallon more than regular.. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.
What does higher octane gas do 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. Premium gas may also contain additional or higher-quality additives compared to regular gas.
Is 93 octane better for your engine?In a consumer notice, the Federal Trade Commission, notes: “In most cases, using a higher-octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won't make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner.”
Will higher octane gas improve performance?When higher-octane fuel is flowing through its injectors, the engine controller can take advantage of the elevated knock threshold and dial in more aggressive timing and higher boost pressures to improve performance.
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Is higher octane better for your car
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