Premium Fuel: The Myths Told and the Real Facts

We see a lot of advertising for gas companies about how premium fuel is better for the car. There are a lot of myths out there about premium fuel and these myths has made consumers spend money that was not necessary. There is price difference between premium gas and regular, premium being more expensive. There is an estimate that annually more than consumers spend billions of dollars on gas that they did not need. Regular gas usually has an octane of 87, mid-grade gas usually has an octane of 89 and premium gas has an octane between 91 to 94 depending where you are. Here are the myths for premium gas for a car that only needs regular:

Myth: Premium gas is better for my car

Fact: If a car only needs regular gas, premium gas has no benefit for the car

Myth: Premium gas has better mileage, therefore premium gas last longer

Fact: For a car that only needs regular premium gas will not last longer

Myth: Premium gas is better for environment

Fact: Premium gas does not make your car run cleaner

Myth: Premium gas cleans your engines better because it has more detergents

Fact: Government regulations require all gas to have detergents which includes regular

Myth: Premium gas make my car run better

Fact: The results are the same with premium or regular gas

After all this we ask why is there premium gas and why is it more expensive? The answer is premium gas has more anti-knock properties due to its higher octane, there are high end cars that need premium gas or else the car's engine will knock which can cause damage. For cars that only recommend regular gas putting in premium gas is just wasting money. There are some high end cars that require premium, while some only recommend premium. There is a difference, when a car requires premium it means that you must put premium gas in the car, if it only recommends it means to get the best performance put in premium gas, but putting in regular gas will not damage the car.