Many of our automotive customers assume that using premium gas will mean more longevity for the engine, and they even tell others about premium gas having better detergents than regular gas. It’s a false idea furthered by the oil industry. If you’re unsure about what to use to fuel your engine, first check out the owner’s manual. If premium is ever going to be helpful, it will say so. Don’t give the oil industry more profit!

When engines aren’t made for premium fuel, they never need the higher-octane fuel. It has to do with engine combustion. Premium gasoline ignites at a higher temperature, so it can handle high levels of compression without reigniting. Premium gas also has lower levels of heptanes, which also prevents reignition. Even the U.S. government agrees – there’s no benefit for it in the average tank.

In cases where the owner’s manual does list a need for premium gas, 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 premium-designed engines that are intended to use premium gasoline, the lower ignition rate can mean better performance. The pricey unleaded gasoline also prevents pinging or knocking sounds. But the difference is usually minimal, and the cost difference is dramatic. If your engine preignites fuel with normal driving, it’s a different tale. For these vehicles, do a little more research or speak with our ACE-certified mechanics about using the right gasoline.

Do I Always Need Gas Instead of Diesel?

Gasoline and diesel don’t play well together. If you drive a diesel engine, filling up on gas will cause it to fail completely. You’ll need a complete flush. Diesel is thicker and oilier than unleaded, and diesel vs. gas engines are different in a few ways. First, diesel engines don’t include spark plugs. Instead, the fuel is injected directly and ignited by heat. With gasoline, fuel and air are combined first and then the spark plugs do their work.

Call Christian Brothers in North Port, FL Anytime

If you have concerns about how to fuel your engine or if you’re having any trouble with your fuel system, give our trusted team in North Port, FL a ring. We do maintenance, pre-pruchase checks and repairs.