The majority of cars run on regular petrol while others can only take premium gas. The difference between these two petrol grades may not be obvious at first glance resulting in misguided and unnecessary spending at the pump. If you are unsure what you should be filling up your car’s tank, continue reading.
What is an octane rating?
In essence, octane ratings measure a petrol’s ability to resist the unusual rattling sound from premature ignition of compressed fuel-air mixture from one or more of a vehicle’s cylinders. The majority of petrol stations offer three octane grades, including regular with 87 octane rating, mid-grade with 80 octane rating, and premium with 92 octane rating. The octane ratings are typically displayed on the gas tank near the nozzle area.
How can you identify the octane rating ideal for your car?
To determine the ideal octane rating for your car, it is recommended to check your owner’s manual. For most cars, regular octane petrol is more than enough. However, for vehicles outfitted with high-compression engines such as sports cars and luxury cars, mid-grade or premium gasoline is required to prevent engine knock altogether.
Will high-octane petrol clean your engine more effectively?
Simply put, high octane petrol does not outperform regular octane petrol in preventing the build-up of deposits, removing deposits, and cleaning the engine to enhance performance. This is a common misconception. It is best to save your money by filling up your tank with regular petrol.
So, what differentiates premium petrol from regular petrol?
Regular petrol is rated at 87 while premium gas is rated 91 or higher. Petrol with high octane rating can withstand higher compression before it detonates. By rule, the higher the octane rating, the lower the risk of detonation happening at the wrong time. In most cases, this occurrence does not cause any harm to your vehicle. However, if it happens regularly, it may speed up the deterioration of your engine’s overall performance and fuel efficiency. The majority of vehicles on the road, even the latest models, are optimised to run on regular petrol.
If your owner’s manual does not require premium petrol, fill it up with regular petrol instead
Why pay for premium when you can maximise the function of your vehicle’s engine with regular petrol? Premium petrol costs more a gallon than regular petrol. Using regular petrol does not cause any side effects on your car’s engine. In fact, using high octane petrol does not offer any benefits on a vehicle that requires regular petrol. Simply put, it will not make your car perform any better, faster, or run cleaner.
It is important to note that the detergent additives in your petrol are far more essential than its octane ratings. Detergent additives aid in cleaning your engine and optimising its performance. Each retailer offers their own blend of additives, which are then applied across all grades.
When it comes to additives, some vehicle manufacturers hold themselves to a higher standard. For instance, BMW, General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, and Audi worked together to create a top tier gasoline standard, which requires higher concentration of detergent additives than regular EPA requirements. Lower concentrations of detergent additives can result in more deposits forming in vital engine components, such as fuel injectors, intake valves, and many more. Finally, lower concentrations of detergents can lead to reduced engine performance and increased emissions.
However, if your car requires premium petrol, fill your tank with premium petrol
Engines with high compression ratio usually need higher octane petrol to achieve its optimal performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions. If your vehicle requires petrol with a high octane rating, do not skimp out. This can make a significant difference in vehicles with turbocharged engines.
But what if your car requires high octane petrol but there are no available ones in your nearest gas station? While older models are more likely to suffer from engine knock when running on regular petrol, newer models are typically equipped with sensors that identify and measure engine damage. Your car will probably perform fine even when running on regular petrol once in a while as your engine automatically adjusts to ignition timing. However, experts do not recommend putting in regular petrol regularly.
When you use a lower grade petrol than what is required, your car’s Electronic Control Unit will read different octane levels to make the necessary adjustments. However, if you make this a habit, your vehicle’s horsepower and MPG might go down while CO2 emissions increase. You might save money on petrol, but you may end up paying for costly repairs or replacements in the long run.
Expert Mechanics in Sydney
If you want to assess whether the use of regular petrol has affected the performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle, it is recommended to seek the expertise of a skilled mechanic in Sydney. Here at HP Automotive, we offer a full range of automotive services, including maintenance, minor repairs, and major repairs. We are equipped with the latest tools and technology that allow us to deliver superior quality services to residential and commercial vehicle owners in Sydney. For enquiries or schedule an appointment, call our direct line on 02 9979 8372 today.