Can You Put Premium Gas in Any Car?

When something is labeled as “premium,” we assume that it’s better than the alternatives, no matter what. With regard to fuel, when you have a choice between regular and premium gas, you may end up wondering whether filling up with premium gas will give you better performance results, and better yet, if your car can take premium gas or not. So, can you put premium gas in any car and have your car perform better on the Evergreen roads? No, not exactly. Read on to learn more about the best fuel type for your car and more from the service team at Lee Motor Company.

What Kind of Gas Does My Car Take?

What type of gas does my car take? Is premium gas better? Here are some answers to common fueling questions:

• Can You Put Premium Gas in Any Car? Yes, you can safely put premium gasoline in any vehicle without risking damage. However, not every car benefits from premium gasoline.
• What Kind of Gas Does My Car Take? Look at your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends. Most cars do just fine with regular gas, but turbo or supercharged models benefit greatly from premium.
• What Happens If I Use Premium Instead of Regular? If you have a luxury or performance car, premium gas will help you achieve better performance and prevent engine knocks. If you do not have a performance engine, you won’t see any additional benefits in power or efficiency – just a higher gas bill.

What’s the Difference Between Regular and Premium Gas?

At your next stop at a Brewton gas station, you’ll notice a few different fuel options available to you, all with different numbers below them. Those numbers– usually marked as 87, 89, and 91– indicate the fuel’s octane levels, which indicate how much it can be compressed before it ignites. Standard engines perform best with regular gas, or gas with an octane level of 87. While you can put premium gas in these engines, you’ll gain no additional benefits beyond what regular gas can provide.

If you have anything but a standard engine, though, you may want to consider fuel of a higher octane level. A vehicle built for exceptional performance will have an advanced engine, usually labeled as turbocharged or supercharged. These names let you know that their compression ratio is higher than a standard engine, requiring a fuel with octane levels of 89 or 91 for optimal function. Using regular, 87 octane gas in these engines can lead to “fuel knocks” or early fuel ignition, which can damage your engine.

What Happens If I Put Premium Gas in a Standard Engine?

Nothing of note will occur. You’ll receive no added benefits from using premium gas in a standard engine, and you’ll end up spending more at the pump. If the opposite should happen– putting regular gas into a high-performance engine– you risk a lower performance and possible engine damage due to fuel knocks. Always double-check your fuel type before filling!

Learn More About Car Maintenance with Lee Motor Company

Do you have more questions about your vehicle? Lee Motor Company is here to help! With our expert team and our selection of service specials, we’re ready to keep your vehicle on the Monroeville roads for years to come! Learn more about car maintenance when you schedule your service with Lee Motor Company.