Jack Williams

Quick Tip! Do You Really Need Premium Gas?

Some car models require that you use premium gasoline in your car. Is that really necessary or is it all just a ploy to get you to spend more money? Lifehacker.com has the answer.

Premium gas has an octane level of 92 or 93. Quite the leap from regular gas' octane level of 87. This high level of octane will prevent your engine from knocking. While knocking won't necessarily damage your car, a particularly hard knock could harm your engine. If your car requires premium gasoline, it probably has a high compression ratio. As lifehacker.com explains, "The compression ratio is the total volume inside the cylinder that is displaced when the piston moves." Your engine will rattle if you use low octane gas in a vehicle with a high compression ratio because it will cause the gas to ignite prematurely.

Although, if your car recommends premium gasoline, then that's another story. Most cars these days have knock sensors that will prevent rattling. This allows you to switch to a lower octane gas if you choose without fear of damaging your engine. That being said, you might notice a small drop in performance. It might take you a little longer to accelerate. It's up to you to decide. When it comes down to it, you just might need premium gasoline. If you have questions, consult your vehicle's manual, and always feel free to speak to us!