

If it doesn?t knock when you use the recommended octane, you?re using the right grade of gasoline. How can you tell if you?re using the right octane level? However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock. Regular octane is recommended for most cars.
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What?s the right octane level for your car?Ĭheck your owner?s manual to determine the right octane level for your car. The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump. Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). Octane ratings measure a gasoline?s ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders.
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Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. This happens to a small percentage of cars. The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. Your best bet: listen to your owner?s manual. It won?t make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner?s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. Are you tempted to buy a high octane gasoline for your car because you want to improve its performance? If so, take note: the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane.
