Octane gas comes in different grades, with higher numbers indicating slower combustion. Most US gas stations offer ratings from 87 to 92. Octane is a stable fuel used in internal combustion engines. The octane number shows how much fuel can be compressed before ignition. Most cars in the US are designed for 87-octane engines. Higher octane gas may not offer benefits, but high-performance engines may require it. Ethanol may be included in higher octane gas, which can be cheaper due to tax subsidies. Check the owner’s manual for the recommended octane rating.
Octane gas comes in several grades, with each number on the grade representing the fuel’s resistance to burning. The higher the octane number, the slower the ignition or combustion. The most basic form of octane gas on the mass market in the United States is 87 octane. Most gas stations in the United States will offer octane ratings at varying levels ranging from 87 to 92. Individual pumps usually offer at least two octane levels, with some offering up to five.
Simply put, octane is a refined fuel with eight carbon atoms chained together. This fuel is more stable than other types and therefore can be used in internal combustion engines. An 87-octane fuel normally means that it is 87 percent octane and 13 percent some other type of fuel. The other fuel type could be hexane, which is six carbon atoms chained together.
In theory, you can’t get a fuel higher than 100 octane, but there are boosters and refining capabilities that make the fuel even more stable. Such gasoline may be assigned a rating higher than 100 octane. This is not really an octane statement, but rather an equivalence rating that demonstrates how stable the fuel is.
The purpose of the octane number is to show how much fuel can be compressed before it ignites. A fuel with an octane rating of 92 will require more compression than a fuel with an octane rating of 87. Some engine types may have higher compression ratios and, as a result, require a more stable fuel. Octane and fuel stability share a direct correlation.
Many vehicles run on 87-octane gas without problems, especially those with fuel injection. For cars sold in the United States, most manufacturers design and recommend 87-octane engines. This octane will also be the cheapest most of the time. Using a higher octane rating will not cause any damage to a vehicle, but it may also not offer any benefits.
In some cases, a higher octane gas may cost less than a lower octane gas, at least for the consumer. Some additives, such as ethanol, may be included in a higher octane gas. Tax subsidies for ethanol fuel can actually make it cheaper to use, even though the octane rating may be higher. Those who use ethanol may take a break at the gas station, but will find that their gas mileage is reduced because ethanol doesn’t burn as efficiently as fossil fuels.
Typically, the only time a higher octane gas may be needed is when the vehicle has a high performance engine. Cars advertised as turbocharged, for example, may require a higher octane rating of fuel. Using a low octane gas may cause engine knocking or decreased performance. Drivers who are unsure of which octane they should use should check their vehicle’s owner’s manual. Older vehicles or equipment with carburetors may also require a higher octane rating.
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