Learn The Difference Between The Fuels For Your Ride! | Hollidaysburg, PA

Apr 5, 2023

Every vehicle on the road is designed differently and each one is designed to run at top performance with a specific type of fuel in its tank. If you’re truly unsure which type of fuel you should be filling up the tank with, give us a call or check your owner’s manual for answers! But this week, we are going to help guide you through why the right fuel matters and the difference between those fuel types!

What is the difference between fuel types?

The first and most noticeable difference is the price! I mean, when you pull up and the “premium” fuel is more expensive, it’s pretty obvious of that first difference. Did you know that premium fuel tends to run about 20 cents higher than regular fuel?
In addition to the price, premium fuel also comes with a higher octane level. Those numbers, commonly seen as 92 or 93 and 87, are to differentiate the octane levels of premium, being a higher number, to regular gas, the lower number. Octane is how much compression a fuel can withstand before igniting – a higher octane gas will not pre-ignite or explode as quickly as lower octane levels.

The right fuel matters, but why?

Many drivers are tempted to fill up their vehicle with a lower grade of octane in order to save money. But in the long run, it could damage your vehicle and your vehicle will not perform as it is intended if it is required to use higher octane levels. The problem? These lower octane levels allow combustion to happen too fast in your engine which can lead to issues. Issues like your engine could make knocking noises, reducing your car’s power and fuel economy, and potentially cause engine damage.
Let’s reverse the roles, using higher octane fuel when you usually use regular won’t create any drastic changes. But if you use regular gas and switch to premium gas, you won’t notice any extra benefits. So, in my opinion, save your money and fill up with the octane level your vehicle is asking for.