Difference Between Premium & Regular Gas

You’re driving around Overland Park in your new ride and you’re getting ready to get more fuel. Sitting at the gas station, you notice that you have the option to put regular or premium gas into your vehicle. You decide to opt for premium fuel to treat your vehicle to something special but is it really necessary? Today, we’re going to go over the difference between premium and regular gas so that you can decide which option is right for you when you’re at the Gardner gas station. Compare premium vs. regular gas below with the Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram service professionals!

Premium vs. Regular Gas – What’s the Distinction?

So, what’s the difference between premium and regular gas? The main difference between premium and regular gas is the octane rating. Regular fuel is usually rated at 87 octane while premium fuel is typically at 91 octane. Premium fuel is recommended on high-performance vehicles as they need a more stable fuel that won’t prematurely ignite due to increased engine compression. With that being said, regular fuel is fine to use in most vehicles if they don’t need premium.

Premium vs. Regular Gas – The Bottom Line

Are you still confused about the debate between premium and regular gas? Here are some more specific differences between the two fuel options to help you decide which one you should be using in your Springhill daily driver:

• Octane: Simply put, the higher octane rating of premium fuel decreases the chance of premature ignition and thus leads to decreased engine knocking. Engine knock means that fuel in your engine’s combustion chamber burns unevenly. When this happens, you’ll hear a “knocking” sound, hence the term engine knock.
• Compression Ratio: High-performance and turbocharged engines have a high compression ratio. This high compression allows for incredible engine performance but needs a more stable fuel. Premium fuel is more stable during high compression due to its higher octane rating.
• Pricing: The price of premium fuel is typically higher than regular fuel.

At the end of the day, you’ll only want to use premium fuel if your vehicle requires it. Using premium fuel otherwise may not boost the performance of your vehicle. With that being said, using premium fuel when it’s not required will not harm your vehicle’s engine. On the other hand, using regular fuel in a vehicle that requires premium could cause some issues. We recommend you reference your owner’s manual for specifics on the type of fuel you should be using.

Find the Difference Between Premium vs. Regular Gas With the Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Service Experts

If you’re not sure about the type of fuel to use in your vehicle, you can always get in touch with our service experts for further assistance. To ensure your vehicle can tackle the Olathe roads for many miles ahead, feel free to schedule a service appointment with our team for professional and high-quality service!