Can you put regular gas in a Subaru Crosstrek?
The short answer is no, you should not put regular gas in a Subaru Crosstrek. Subaru recommends using premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91 for the Crosstrek model. Using a lower-octane fuel can potentially cause engine damage and negatively impact the vehicle's performance.
Understanding Fuel Requirements for the Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is designed to run on premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91. This is because the Crosstrek's engine is engineered to operate optimally with higher-octane fuel. Using a lower-octane regular gas can lead to issues such as engine knocking, reduced fuel efficiency, and even long-term damage to the engine components.
Subaru's recommendation for premium fuel is based on the engine's compression ratio and the need to prevent premature ignition, also known as "knocking" or "pinging." Higher-octane fuels are less prone to premature ignition, which can cause damage to the engine over time.
Consequences of Using Regular Gas in a Subaru Crosstrek
- Engine Knocking: Using regular gas in a Crosstrek can cause the engine to experience knocking or pinging, which is a result of the fuel igniting prematurely. This can lead to increased wear and tear on the engine components.
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency: Lower-octane regular gas may not burn as efficiently in the Crosstrek's engine, leading to a decrease in fuel economy and overall performance.
- Engine Damage: Prolonged use of regular gas in a Crosstrek can potentially cause long-term damage to the engine, including issues with the pistons, valves, and other critical components.
It's important to follow Subaru's recommended fuel requirements to ensure the Crosstrek's engine operates as intended and to maintain the vehicle's warranty coverage.
Recommended Fuel for the Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru recommends using premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91 for the Crosstrek model. This fuel type is specifically designed to work with the engine's compression ratio and prevent issues like knocking or pinging.
While it may be tempting to use a lower-cost regular gas, the potential consequences of doing so outweigh any short-term savings. Sticking to Subaru's fuel recommendations is the best way to ensure your Crosstrek runs smoothly and maintains its long-term reliability.
What to do if you accidentally put regular gas instead of premium car?
If you put lower octane gas in a car that requires premium, everything will still probably be fine, but you should be concerned about the “probably” part. In older cars, putting a lower octane gas in the tank might cause knocking and pinging and will result in reduced performance.
Why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek?
So why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek? According to the company, the decision was made in order to streamline their product lineup and focus on their core models. While the Crosstrek has been a popular model for Subaru, it has not been as successful as some of their other models such as the Outback and Ascent.
Does the Subaru Crosstrek need premium gas?
Use the Recommended Fuel: As mentioned earlier, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87. Avoid using higher-octane fuels, as they will not provide any benefits and may even reduce fuel economy.
What happens if you put regular gas in a premium only tank?
If you put lower-octane fuel into your high-octane vehicle, whether by mistake or to save money on gas, you'll probably notice the effects right away: things like poor fuel economy, reduced acceleration, and spark knock, which sounds like a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise.
Is it okay to mix regular and premium gas?
There's nothing wrong with mixing premium and regular gas in the same tank. In fact, this is how midgrade gas is formulated at the station. Rather than drawing from a separate storage tank for each octane rating, gas pumps actively mix high-octane fuel with lower-octane fuel to create midgrade gas.
Can Subaru take regular gas?
If you drive a Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Legacy or Ascent, your vehicle is designed to run on 87 octane, or regular fuel. Performance Subaru models – the WRX, WRX STI and BRZ – have a premium fuel requirement, but even with those vehicles, check your manual for information on which fuels are appropriate.
Which year to avoid a Subaru Crosstrek?
Of all the Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid, 2019 is at the top of that list. More than 250 complaints were recorded by the NHTSA, which issued a significant seven recalls. The majority of these which were related to the ECM software causing an unexpected engine stall.
Can I use regular instead of premium gas?
Should I use regular or premium gas? You should use the type of fuel the vehicle's manufacturer recommends. A vehicle that runs on regular gas will not run any better on premium fuel. Using premium gas in a vehicle designed for premium gas will help the car perform better and avoid damaging the engine with regular gas.
What is the most common problem with a Subaru Crosstrek?
1. Head Gasket Leaks. One of the most notorious issues plaguing Subaru vehicles is head gasket leaks, particularly in older models with the EJ series engines. These leaks can lead to coolant loss, overheating, and potential engine damage if left untreated.
Can I put 89 gas in my Subaru?
The Owner's Manual states for WRX and BRZ models: "The engine is designed to operate using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher." However, fuel with an octane rating of 87 or higher can be used in either model without damaging engine durability.
