Does Using Premium Gas Really Save You Money?

Saving on gas is a hot topic nowadays. We all want to know how we can shave a little off of that gas budget. If you do not understand the different types of fuel offered at the pump, you could be choosing the wrong type of fuel at the wrong price and wasting money. Let’s look at a long-standing fuel question: premium gas vs regular gas. 

Difference In Fuel Grade

Let’s start by looking at why there are different fuel grades in the first place. A fuel grade does not necessarily indicate the quality of the gas. Although the word “premium” can be confusing, premium or high octane fuel is developed to run a certain type of engine. Many luxury vehicles recommend premium gasoline because this type of fuel will prevent certain problems from arising in the engine. However, the premium fuel recommendation is actually pretty rare. Most people don’t even take the time to read their owner’s manual to see which type of gasoline is recommended.

Does Premium Take Me Farther?

If your goal is to get good gas mileage, you will want to know which type of fuel will take you more miles for less money. So, does premium gasoline actually take you farther for less? The answer is no. Premium gas MPG is not necessarily higher than regular fuel. Premium fuel cuts down on engine knocking in luxury cars. Premium fuel may improve the performance of your car when it comes to aspects such as quick acceleration, but this has nothing to do with gas mileage. In fact, accelerating quickly should be avoided if you are trying to improve your gas mileage.

Why Do People Use Premium?

There are some vehicles that require premium gas. Again, you will need to do your research to find out if your engine requires this fuel. If your engine does require this fuel, you will need to use this fuel to avoid engine damage. However, you should know that most vehicles do not require it. Be sure to read the fuel guidelines carefully. A recommendation is not the same thing as a requirement. If it is recommended that your vehicle use premium,  that only means it will improve acceleration performance and cut down on knocking. That does not mean it will improve gas mileage. You can safely use regular fuel.

How Can I Save on Gas Mileage?

If you truly want to save on gas mileage, here are a few easy ways to do that:

• Slow down. This will have the biggest effect on your gas mileage. Quick acceleration and hard braking consistently impair gas mileage.
• Clean out your vehicle. Stop carrying around junk that weighs down your car. The heavier your vehicle is, the more gas you use.
• Stay on top of maintenance. Keep your oil changed regularly and keep your tires properly inflated.

Categorised in: Car Care Tips

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