Premium vs. Regular Gas

Have you ever stood in front of a gas pump in Phoenix and felt confused about the difference between premium and regular gas? Cactus Jack's Auto is here to help. Premium gasoline contains a higher-octane level than regular unleaded gas. Octane ratings relate to engine combustion. The higher the octane rating, the less likely combustion will happen outside of its regular standards. Does your new or pre-owned vehicle need premium gas? Unless the auto manufacturer a specific type for your car, you probably don’t need it.

What Happens if You Use Premium vs. Regular Gas?

Nothing bad will happen if you use premium vs. regular gas in a car that doesn’t need premium fuel when driving around Mesa. However, if your auto manufacturer recommends that you use premium gas and you don’t, it could harm your vehicle.

It may seem like higher-grade gasoline could result in better engine performance or improved fuel efficiency, but the gas itself won’t increase the performance of your engine. So you might as well use regular gas vs. premium.

What Happens if You Use Regular Gas in a Premium Car?

If you’re driving a higher performance vehicle and use lower-octane gasoline than what is recommended by the automaker, it may cause problems. Owning a luxury vehicle with a high-compression engine means your vehicle is optimized for high-performance. Driving and filling up your car with the regular gas vs. premium gas means you won’t get ideal horsepower or fuel economy. Using regular fuel instead of premium might not damage your vehicle, but it won’t help either. You probably bought a luxury vehicle for a reason, so why not keep it in top condition and use premium vs. regular gas?

Tips to Improve Fuel Economy

Using premium fuel might not provide benefits for routine driving on Surprise streets, but there may be times when it’s still a smart thing to do, such as:

• If you’re off-roading
• When you’re driving in extremely hot or cold temperatures
• Traveling up steep inclines such as mountain passes
• To achieve maximum towing capacity

Visit Cactus Jack's Auto for all Your Auto Service Needs

Now that you know the difference between premium and regular gas, you can make the right decision next time you stop for fuel. Remember to maximize your fuel economy by sticking to a regular maintenance schedule. If you think it’s time for service on your vehicle, check out our car maintenance tips. Cactus Jack's Auto is always at your service! Give us a call today.