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Higher octane gas is usually not necessary for most vehicles and can increase fuel costs. The recommended octane for a car is listed in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Performance vehicles may require higher octane, but listening to the engine can also indicate if it’s needed. In some areas, higher octane gas may cost less due to ethanol use.
In general, higher octane gas increases the cost of fuel, but offers no real benefit to most vehicles compared to its lower-priced counterpart. Despite this, there may be situations where higher octane gas can make a difference. Determining what is needed for your specific car is done by looking at the manufacturer’s recommendations and listening to your car’s engine.
Some want a higher octane gas because they feel it keeps their car engines running smoother and is a cleaner fuel. While that last part may be true, most car engines will notice very little difference with higher grade gas. Cost-benefit analysis is also a loser for higher octane gas. In many cases, filling with higher octane will only increase the amount of money that comes out of your pocket.
The recommended octane for your vehicle is listed in your owner’s manual. If you bought a used car that didn’t have a manual, or if you lost the manual, check the manufacturer’s website. Many have the manuals or at least certain specifications about their vehicles, in an online format. In general, it is not necessary to put a higher octane gas above the manufacturer’s recommendation. It should also be noted that you should not use an octane below the recommended one either.
For the vast majority of vehicles, 87 octane will be the recommended rating. However, there may be some performance vehicles that require a higher octane rating. These cars are generally not the ones you are most interested in on the market. However, there could be situations where a family vehicle needs a higher octane gas.
Listening to how your car performs is another key to determining if you need a higher octane gas. In most cases, the engine should sound very smooth and consistent when running. If you hear a knocking sound, that could be an indication that you need a higher octane fuel. Trying such a solution the next time you fill can produce good results. It should be noted that this only applies to gasoline engines. Diesel engines, by their very nature, produce a knocking sound.
In some parts of the world, such as the Midwestern United States, there may be situations where higher octane gas costs less than lower octane. In the Midwest, this is due to ethanol use and its abundance in the local area. Many may choose the higher octane rating because of the lower price. Higher octane gas will not harm an engine, so for those who wish to do so, there are usually no problems.
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