Premium vs. Regular Gas

Person gasing car
 

As you fill up your gas tank in Nederland, you probably notice that some gas is more expensive than other types of gasoline at the pump. There are also numbers on the pump that may cause you to wonder about the difference between premium vs. regular gas. But what do these numbers mean? What is the difference between premium and regular gas? 

Find out everything you need to know when we compare premium vs. regular gas with our guide.

 

 

What is Premium Gasoline? 

Premium gasoline has an octane rating of 90 or above, which we will explain later. The octane rating is the main difference between premium and regular gas. Premium gasoline helps keep your engine cleaner while also helping it to perform better. You’ll get better gas mileage if your engine requires premium gasoline to operate at peak conditions. 

What is Regular Unleaded Gasoline? 

Regular unleaded gasoline is the most common type of fuel at a gas station for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Regular gas works adequately for most new or used vehicles traveling on Woodville roads. Its octane rating is 87, making it a lower-grade gasoline than premium. 

Differences Between Premium and Regular Gas

When comparing premium vs. regular gas, here are the main differences.

Octane Rating of Gasoline

Gasoline with a higher octane rating has less of a chance of causing engine knocking, which can damage your new vehicle. Also called pre-ignition, this occurrence is less common with premium gasoline.

Engine Suitability

Regular unleaded gas burns faster than premium gas. It works better for engines with low compression ratios. Engines with high compression ratios will benefit from and probably require premium gasoline for optimal results. 

Price 

Premium gasoline can cost 20 to 40 cents more per gallon than regular gas. Those fuel costs add up over time on drives through Lumberton. 

Pro Tips for Premium vs. Regular Gas

Before deciding whether premium vs. regular gas is right for your vehicle, look over the following tips. 

  • If your car does not require premium gas as stated in the owner’s manual, it won’t boost the performance or the longevity of the engine
  • If your vehicle requires premium gas, using regular gas usually does not harm the engine. If you hear knocking when you use regular gas, switch back to premium gasoline. 
  • Turbocharged engines almost always require premium gas because they burn high-octane gasoline more efficiently in these higher-pressure environments.

Schedule Service With Classic Buick GMC Beaumont

If you have any questions about premium vs. regular gas, feel free to contact us or call (409) 892-5050. Does your car need service? Look over our service specials to see how much money you could save.

 

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