Should I use 87 or 93 gas?
Choosing the right type of gasoline for your vehicle is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. Many drivers wonder whether they should use regular 87 octane gas or premium 93 octane gas. The answer depends on your vehicle's engine design and manufacturer recommendations. In this article, we'll break down the differences and help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Octane Ratings
Octane ratings measure a fuel's ability to resist "knocking" during combustion. Knocking occurs when the air-fuel mixture in your engine's cylinders ignites prematurely, which can damage the engine over time. Higher octane fuels, like 93, are more resistant to knocking, making them suitable for high-performance engines.
When to Use 87 Octane Gas
Most vehicles on the road today are designed to run efficiently on 87 octane gas. Here are some key points to consider:
- If your vehicle's owner's manual specifies 87 octane, using a higher octane fuel will not provide additional benefits.
- 87 octane is typically less expensive than 93, making it a cost-effective choice for vehicles that don't require premium fuel.
- Modern engines are equipped with advanced technology to optimize performance with regular gas, so you won't sacrifice efficiency or power.
When to Use 93 Octane Gas
Premium 93 octane gas is designed for specific types of engines. Consider using it if:
- Your vehicle's owner's manual explicitly states that premium fuel is required.
- You drive a high-performance or luxury vehicle with a turbocharged or supercharged engine.
- You want to maximize performance and fuel efficiency in a car designed for premium gas.
- Your engine experiences knocking or pinging when using 87 octane fuel, even though it's not required.
What Happens If You Use the Wrong Gas?
Using the wrong type of gas can have varying effects:
- If you use 87 octane in a car that requires 93: You may experience reduced performance, knocking, and potential long-term engine damage.
- If you use 93 octane in a car designed for 87: There will likely be no harm, but you'll be spending more money without gaining any noticeable benefits.
How to Decide
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to consult your vehicle's owner's manual. The manufacturer knows your engine's requirements and will specify the recommended octane rating. If you're still unsure, feel free to reach out to a trusted auto service professional for advice.
Conclusion
In summary, use 87 octane gas if your car is designed for it, as it is cost-effective and sufficient for most vehicles. Reserve 93 octane gas for high-performance engines or when explicitly required by your vehicle's manufacturer. Making the right choice will help you save money and keep your engine running smoothly for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 93 octane add horsepower?
The modern CR-V, with half the displacement but rated at just 10 fewer ponies, makes the same argument: don't waste your money on premium. Switching from 87 octane to 93 yielded a 7-hp gain on the dynamometer, but that advantage was lost in the noise at the track.
Does 93 gas burn faster?
The Federal Trade Commission recommends using regular gasoline for most standard cars and notes that: "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."
Does using premium gas make a difference?
No, in general, premium fuel does not provide better fuel economy. The caveat is this: If an engine is designed to use higher octane rated fuels, then the computer system expects to be able to use a certain amount of fuel to properly power each stroke, for a given set of circumstances.
Can you switch back and forth between regular and premium gas?
Is it bad to mix premium and regular gas? Well, not necessarily. If your car requires premium to run smoothly, but you aren't able to find a station with premium gasoline, it won't hurt to top off with regular gasoline. You do want to avoid running on regular gasoline for extended periods of time.
What happens if you mix premium and regular 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.
Is 93 gas better than 87?
What Is The Difference? Regular gas is rated at 87 octane in most states while higher octane pump gas is rated at 91 to 93. Essentially octane levels are the rate at which fuel combusts, with 87 octane combusting the easiest/soonest and 91 to 93 octane can sustain higher levels of combustion.
Does 93 gas clean your engine?
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.
What gas gives you the best mileage?
Premium gas can increase fuel efficiency, potentially giving better gas mileage for longer while decreasing emissions, if you have a car designed to run on premium gas.
Do you get better gas mileage with 93 octane?
No. It does NOT make better MPG with 93 Octane. Octane has nothing to do with fuel consumption, especially considering the Cruze is actually calibrated for 87 Octane. If you use any respectable retailer (BP, Sunoco, Shell, Top Tier List) there will be no difference between 87 and 93.
What cars need 93 octane?
Generally, luxury cars and high-performance vehicles are designed to run on premium gas. Brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi often make cars that require premium gasoline. Vehicle models with turbocharged engines, such as Mini Coopers or Subaru WRX also typically need premium fuel to perform at their peak.
