Premium gasoline isn’t more packed with engine cleaners and almost never affects performance. It’s just marketing. If you’re uncertain about what to use to fuel your engine, first check your owner’s manual. If premium is ever going to be helpful, it will say so. Don’t give the oil companies more profit!

When automobile engines aren’t made for premium gasoline, they will not ever have a use for the higher-octane fuel. It has to do with how the fuel is ignited. Premium gas ignites at a higher temperature, so it can withstand higher compression before reigniting. Premium gas also has less heptanes, and that also helps with preventing the reignition at low temps. Even the U.S. government agrees – there’s no reason for it in the average tank.

In cases where the owner’s manual does ask for premium gasoline, chances are you don’t always have to use it. If your car isn’t more than 10 years old, that’s particularly the case because those engines are likely to have technology that adjusts to different octanes. With engines that are designed for premium gasoline, the low-temperature can mean better performance. The pricey gas also prevents knocking or pinging noises. However, if you aren’t racing or hauling heavy loads, the difference in performance is minimal but the price is much higher. The only exception is for cars that have knocking when regular fuel is being used, even under standard driving conditions. For these vehicles, experiment or speak with our ACE-certified auto experts about using the right gasoline.

Do I Always Need Gas Instead of Diesel?

Gasoline and diesel don’t play nicely together. You could stall the engine and make it unusable. You will have to pay for a system flush. Diesel is thicker and oilier than gasoline, and diesel vs. gas engines are different in important ways. These don’t use spark plugs. Instead, the fuel is ignited by the heat of compressed air, which is compressed before the fuel is injected right in the chamber. With gasoline, fuel and air are mixed first and then the spark plugs ignite the mixture.

Contact Christian Brothers in Friendswood, TX

If you have concerns about how to fill your gas tank or if you’re having any problems with your fuel system, give our trusted team in Friendswood, TX a ring. We can help with everything from checking out automobiles you’re considering for purchase to maintenance-related spark plug tune-ups or even repairs and diagnostics.