Is 87 regular gas?
Yes. In the United States, the term “regular” gas almost always means 87 octane (measured as AKI, the anti-knock index). This article explains what that grade covers, how octane works, and how to choose the right fuel for your vehicle.
Gasoline octane ratings indicate a fuel’s resistance to pre-ignition or knocking in an engine. A rating of 87 AKI is the standard for most daily drivers in North America, but some engines—especially those with turbocharging or high compression—may require higher-octane fuel. The way octane is measured varies by region, and blends can include ethanol, which affects overall performance and energy content. The following sections outline what 87 means in practice and how to decide which grade to use for your car.
What 87 Octane Means
Octane is a measure of a fuel’s willingness to ignite at the wrong time. AKI (used in the U.S.) combines two tests—Research Octane Number (RON) and Motor Octane Number (MON)—to reflect real-world driving conditions. The resulting number, 87 in most regular-gasoline situations, does not indicate energy content or horsepower; it indicates knocking resistance. For many vehicles, 87 AKI is sufficient if the manufacturer specifies regular fuel.
Before you skim the numbers on the pump, note a few important points about octane, labeling, and blends:
- Regular in the US is typically 87 AKI; mid-grade is around 89 AKI; premium is usually 91–93 AKI.
- In some regions, octane is labeled differently (RON vs AKI). A direct numeric swap isn’t exact, but higher numbers generally indicate more knocking resistance.
- Most regular gas in the US contains up to 10% ethanol (E10). Some markets offer higher-ethanol blends (E15, E85) with different octane characteristics.
In short, using 87 octane is standard for most American automobiles designed for regular fuel. If your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends higher octane, sticking to that recommendation is important for optimal performance and longevity.
Regional Differences and What It Means for Drivers
Octane labeling varies around the world. Europe and many other regions use RON ratings, while the US uses AKI. A rough equivalence exists, but exact numbers depend on the blending and testing methods. For example, 87 AKI typically corresponds to roughly 91–92 RON, but this can shift with ethanol content and other factors. If you drive outside North America, always follow the local labeling and your vehicle’s manual.
What this means for your car
Engines with standard compression designed for regular fuel will operate normally on 87 AKI. High-compression, turbocharged, or performance engines may require higher-octane gas to avoid knocking. Using a higher-octane fuel than recommended generally does not add horsepower or improve efficiency in most usual cars. If you notice knocking or pinging, consult the owner’s manual and consider using the recommended grade or addressing any underlying engine issues.
How to Choose the Right Gasoline Grade
To help you decide which grade to use, here are some guidelines that drivers commonly follow:
- Know your vehicle’s recommended octane: Check the owner’s manual or the sticker inside the fuel door for the recommended grade.
- Watch for knocking: If your engine knocks (a pinging or rattling sound) under heavy load or acceleration, higher octane may be necessary, or you may have an issue that needs service.
- Consider climate and altitude: Some high-altitude driving can tolerate lower octane, but sticking to manufacturer-recommended grades is safer.
- Balance cost and benefit: Higher-octane fuels are more expensive. If your car doesn’t require them, using regular is typically the most economical choice.
Bottom line: Use the grade your car’s manufacturer recommends. Higher octane is only beneficial for engines that explicitly require it or demonstrate knocking with lower grades.
Summary
87 octane is the standard regular gasoline grade in the United States, designed for most everyday engines. Octane measures knocking resistance, not power or energy content, and regional labeling varies (AKI vs. RON). If your vehicle specifies regular 87, you don’t need to pay more for higher octane. If knocking occurs or you own a high-performance or turbocharged engine, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and consider higher-octane fuel. Always check your owner’s manual and regional fuel labeling to ensure you’re using the right grade for your car.
Which gas is better, 87-89 or 93?
The "better" gas depends on your vehicle's requirements; the correct octane rating is what's best for your car, not necessarily the highest one. Consult your owner's manual or the sticker inside your fuel door to find the manufacturer's recommendation, which is usually 87 octane for most standard cars, but can be higher for performance or turbocharged engines. Using a higher octane than your car needs will not increase power or fuel efficiency.
Octane ratings explained
- 87 Octane (Regular): The standard for most vehicles. It's the most affordable option and is sufficient for cars that don't require a higher grade.
- 89 Octane (Mid-grade): A blend of regular and premium fuel, offering slightly more resistance to "knocking" than 87 octane.
- 91-93 Octane (Premium): Designed for high-performance, turbocharged, or high-compression engines that require a higher octane to prevent pre-ignition or "knocking".
Why you should use the recommended octane
- Higher octane is not always better: Putting 93 octane in a car that only requires 87 octane is a waste of money and provides no performance or efficiency benefits.
- Knocking: Lower octane fuel in an engine designed for higher octane can cause "knocking" or "pinging," a sound that results from pre-ignition and can damage your engine over time.
- Modern engines: Many modern cars have engine management systems that can adjust to lower octane fuel, but this may result in a slight reduction in performance or efficiency.
How to choose
- Check your manual: The definitive answer is in your vehicle's owner's manual or on the sticker near the fuel cap.
- Match the recommendation: Use the octane level recommended by the manufacturer. Using the lowest octane that the manufacturer specifies is generally the best and most cost-effective choice.
- Consider your vehicle type: If you drive a high-performance or turbocharged car, you will likely need mid-grade or premium gas as recommended.
Which gas is better for your car, 87 or 88?
Unleaded 88 gas has a better anti-knock capability than an unleaded 87 gas, which means that it is a better kind of gasoline as far as octane rating is concerned. The octane value of 88 is a value used to indicate the resistance of a fuel to cause an engine knock.
What is regular gas called?
Regular gas is most commonly called regular unleaded gasoline, which is the lowest-octane fuel, typically with an octane rating of 87. It is the standard fuel for most vehicles and is also sometimes referred to by its octane number (87).
- Unleaded: This means the gasoline does not contain lead, which is a hazard to the environment and human health.
- Octane rating: The 87 octane rating indicates the fuel's resistance to "knocking" or "pinging," which is a symptom of pre-ignition in the engine.
- Suitability: It is the most common and least expensive type of gasoline, suitable for the majority of cars on the road.
Is 87 gas the same as regular gas?
Retail gasoline stations in the United States sell three main grades of gasoline based on the octane level: Regular (the lowest octane fuel–generally 87) Midgrade (the middle range octane fuel–generally 89–90) Premium (the highest octane fuel–generally 91–94)
