Do either of these options make sense and, more importantly, could they cause any problems? Gasoline Octane. Image: U. Department of Energy. Related Articles. The car's computer will detect lower-grade gas and adjust performance to compensate. In the old days, low-octane gasoline meant that an engine was more prone to knocking, or having its fuel combust before it's supposed to, which can kill a motor.
But advanced electronics can adjust the timing and work around it in the form of knock sensors, which can detect small vibrations in the block and adjust settings to lessen potential damage.
What AAA found out was that premium gasoline in a car designed for regular didn't produce better fuel economy, reduce pollution, or make your car go faster—in short, all it did was take a bit more of your money. Join Now. New Cars. Car Culture. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. R for Getty Images. Sometimes in life, we are just wracked with choices. Over two billion dollars are wasted per year on premium gasoline.
Engineers at auto manufacturers prescribe premium gas because certain kinds of engines operate optimally with higher-octane fuel. Cars that require premium gasoline have high-compression engines, turbochargers, and other high-performance aspects. Your car can get plaque build-up from gasoline deposits.
If you have an older, heavier car, SUV, or truck with high-performance engines and you are experiencing engine knock, try using premium gas for a few fills to see if that fixes the problem, even if the vehicle does not call for it.
What qualifies as premium gas varies from state to state. So pay attention if you are on a cross-country road-trip or crossing state lines. One state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 to be considered premium, while another may only require Gas stations in the United States generally offer three octane grades: regular usually 87 octane , mid-grade usually 89 octane , and premium usually 91 or Check the sticker on the pump to know which you are getting.
Email Your email address will not be published. Yes, I think many manufactures are now recommending higher octanes for optimal performance. Of course modern engines can adjust for lower octanes with the penalty of reduced performance. In most cases higher octane does not improve MPG but does provide a little better performance. This can be important when towing, hot weather, or turbo engines that are more sensitive to octane requirements.
0コメント