Premium vs. Regular Gas: Which Is Best for Your Car? (2024)

FAQs

Premium vs. Regular Gas: Which Is Best for Your Car? ›

In most cases, the difference in performance is small and something you may not notice during normal driving. If the car is designed for regular gas — or doesn't specifically say that the car requires premium gas — go with regular. There are no benefits to putting premium gas in a car that doesn't need it.

Regardless of whether your car calls for regular or premium, the best choice for ongoing performance and economy is a TOP TIER gasoline. Recent AAA testing found TOP TIER gasolines keep internal engine components up to 19 times cleaner than gasolines that only meet minimum EPA standards.

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."

Using regular unleaded gas in a car that requires premium fuel reduces engine performance and can cause damage over time. Using premium does not increase fuel economy, so don't waste money using high-test in a car if the manufacturer recommends regular gas.

Unlike high-quality engine oil, premium gasoline doesn't make a car accelerate faster, run cleaner, or become more efficient.

In most cases, the difference in performance is small and something you may not notice during normal driving. If the car is designed for regular gas — or doesn't specifically say that the car requires premium gas — go with regular. There are no benefits to putting premium gas in a car that doesn't need it.

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.

Many people believe that premium fuel lasts significantly longer than regular, but this isn't actually the case. For mainstream cars, the difference is only a few extra miles, as they run optimally on standard fuel types, which can be purchased from supermarkets.

Cenzano says it's a good idea to use high-octane gas in a 10-year-old or older car that might be knocking and pinging. That's because premium can clean the carbon buildup that can prevent older vehicles from running as efficiently as when they were new.

What gas station has the best gas? ›

Depending on how you are going to drive it, regular 87 octane should be fine. If you hear an engine knock (detonation) then move up to premium. These engines were designed for leaded fuel and if the engine is all original and you are going to drive the car every day, then add a lead additive to the fuel.

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.

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.

You can, if your car runs fine on regular gas and premium gas – is the short answer. But it's a bit more complicated than that. If premium gas is only RECOMMENDED for your car, you can mix it up. But pay up for premium gas if your car REQUIRES it.

Shell Gasoline contains a patented cleaning system that actively cleans intake valves and fuel injectors and protects against future build up. No other gasoline protects better against gunk!

You'll know you're filling up with the good stuff if you spot a small green sticker on the pump that says “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.” As of early 2022, the following stations sold Top Tier gasoline in the U.S.: 76, ARCO, Aloha, Beacon, Breakaway, CITGO, Cenex, Chevron, Conoco, Costco Wholesale, CountryMark, ...

No Vehicles Need 89-Octane Fuel

Only a handful of modern vehicles — all from Stellantis brands — call for 89-octane gas. Even then, it's not required, only recommended. Using 87-octane fuel in any of them won't harm the powertrain.

Nothing happens when you mix 93 (premium) and 87 (regular) octane gases. The mix is called “midgrade” gas. Some of the benefits of 93 gas include better engine health, reduced engine knock, better fuel economy, and more power. Note that your owner's manual indicates what type of gas works best with your vehicle.