Is there really a difference between 87 and 93?

Regular gas is rated at 87 octane in most states, while premium gas is often rated higher at 91 or 93. Fuel with a higher octane rating can stand up to higher compression before it detonates. Essentially, the higher the octane rating, the lower the likelihood that detonation happens at the wrong time.
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What happens if you put 93 instead of 87?

If you usually fill your tank up with 87-octane gasoline and you accidentally put in a higher octane blend (say, 91, 92, or 93), don't worry. You're actually filling your car or truck with a different blend of gas, which means it will burn differently in your engine.
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Do you get better gas mileage with 87 or 93?

So is Higher Octane Fuel More Efficient? In a word, no. On its own paying for premium gasoline does not make your car run better or get greater gas mileage. Giving your car the fuel it requires to run smoothly and efficiently, without damage to the engine, does make a difference in your fuel mileage.
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Is there really a difference between regular and premium gas?

But what's the difference, other than the price? Regular gas has the lowest octane rating, Premium has a higher octane and Super (or Supreme or Premium Plus) has the highest octane. Octane is the measure of the fuel's ability to resist “knock”.
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Do I really need 93 octane?

To answer the previous question, no. The simple answer is that premium gas should be used exclusively for premium cars that specifically require premium gas. Using higher octane doesn't mean that you'll get better performance if the car isn't designed for it.
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What is the BEST Fuel to Use in Your Car or Truck and WHY



Why is 93 octane better than 87?

Regular gas is rated at 87 octane in most states, while premium gas is often rated higher at 91 or 93. Fuel with a higher octane rating can stand up to higher compression before it detonates. Essentially, the higher the octane rating, the lower the likelihood that detonation happens at the wrong time.
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What happens if you put 87 octane in a 93 octane car?

Most cars on the road recommend a standard grade 87 or 89. Premium gas 90-93 is completely okay to put in a standard vehicle. Car experts say there is no risk of damage to a standard car using premium fuel.
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Is premium gas better for your engine?

Premium gas is a higher octane gasoline that's typically used in high performance engines. A higher-octane rating means the fuel is better balanced and stabilized against spontaneous combustion, which can cause engine knocking and damage to your vehicle.
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Does premium gas give more horsepower?

Higher octane fuel will not offer any better fuel mileage, increase engine horsepower, or make the engine start quicker. Higher octane only increases the likelihood that the combustion will be controlled, and your engine will perform as it was designed.
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Does premium gas clean your engine?

Nope. Regular, plus, and premium gas all come with detergents to mitigate against carbon deposits in your engine. Plus and premium don't come with special powers for cleaning out the engine. If you're interested in cleaning out your engine, you're better off taking it in for service.
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Does 93 gas burn slower?

Fueling Basics: Explaining Octane Ratings

Fuel with an 87 octane rating burns more quickly while higher-octane fuels burn more slowly.
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Does higher octane clean your engine?

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better? No. High octane gasoline doesn't outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car's engine. This is a myth.
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Does premium gas make your car go faster?

The higher octane of premium gas won't make your car faster; in fact, the opposite is possible because higher-octane fuel technically has less energy than lower-octane fuel. It's the fuel's ability to be compressed more without pre-igniting that results in more power when used in the appropriate engine.
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Does octane really matter?

If it says to use fuel with an octane rating of 87, filling your tank with a higher-octane fuel doesn't provide any extra benefits to your engine. If your vehicle manual says to use fuel with an octane rating of 89, going below that grade can affect your engine's performance and fuel efficiency.
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Will mixing premium and regular gas mess up your car?

Can I mix premium and unleaded gas? Yes, drivers can mix the two types of fuel. The combined gas types will result in an octane level somewhere in the middle — something the vehicle “will survive,” according to The Drive.
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What happens if you accidentally put regular gas instead of premium one time?

If you mistakenly fill up with regular fuel, your car's ECU will adjust engine timing and performance to work with the lower-octane fuel. In most cases, this is ok for the times when there are no premium pumps around, but it's not ideal to run the cheapest fuel possible for extended periods of time.
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How much HP does 93 octane add?

When switching from a 91 octane tune to a 93 octane tune you can expect to see an increase of 5 to 6 more horsepower on top of the gains you are already getting from an 87 octane Bama tune.
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What octane gas do race cars use?

The specialized NASCAR fuel is Sunoco Green E15, a 98 octane, unleaded fuel blend specifically engineered for high-performance engines and race cars. It's called Green E15 because the racing fuel is actually green in color.
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Why do turbo engines need premium gas?

The trade-off is that turbocharged engines have a higher compression ratio than non-turbo engines. That means they're more prone to detonation and more likely to need premium gas.
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Why you should always use premium gas?

The main difference between premium and standard gas is the octane level. Premium gas has a higher octane level, making it much smoother for your engine. By ensuring that the engine combustion occurs at the right times, premium gas limits the amount of damage improper engine combustion may cause.
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Which gas gets the best mileage?

Premium gives better gas mileage

Because premium gas has a higher octane rating than midgrade or regular gas, it produces a little more power when burnt. Designed for performance cars with large, powerful engines, premium also helps minimize the risk of preignition inside highly-stressed, hot engine cylinders.
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What cars only take premium gas?

15 'Regular' Cars That Take Premium Fuel
  • Buick Envision (with 2.0L turbo)
  • Buick Regal (all models)
  • Buick Regal TourX (all models)
  • Chevrolet Equinox (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Chevrolet Malibu (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Fiat 500L (all models)
  • GMC Terrain (with 2.0-L turbo)
  • Honda Civic (with 1.5-L turbo)
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Does higher octane gas last longer?

Sadly, there's nothing in premium gasoline that would make it last longer than other fuels from the pump. Since the distinguishing feature is the higher-octane levels, the only real benefit you gain is lowering the chance of engine knocking, which isn't much of a threat on most modern fuel systems.
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Do cars really need premium gas?

If the sticker says, “Premium Fuel Recommended,” you should be able to use regular gas safely. But if it says “Required” or “Only,” you should use premium. Higher compression in an engine produces higher horsepower, but it may require premium gas to do it.
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What are the benefits of 93 octane?

Premium Gas Benefits
  • Engine Health. Over time, carbon deposits build up in your cylinders. ...
  • Reduces Engine Knock. Like we stated earlier, using premium gasoline can help to prevent engine knock. ...
  • Boost in Fuel Economy. ...
  • Optimizes Power.
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