Most of us have our parents to thank for bringing up such outstanding and productive citizens of society. They taught us right from wrong and good from bad; so we all know that high-octane, premium gas is better for our car’s engine. But, is it?
Ok, are you sitting down? Do you have a plush toy to squeeze? Good, because premium gas is not needed anymore! *Gasp* The shock, the horror! Well, yes, my dear friends, I must say that premium gas is no longer necessary. Cars have changed, engines have improved, but premium gas still costs about 20-30 cents more and owner’s manuals have downgraded it from “recommended” to “suggested.” Let’s take a look at a few myths that have been doing their rounds for the past few decades.
Myth #1: Increase in performance – If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard this. If your car feels underpowered, take it to a mechanic because it’s definitely not from using regular gas. The only time you might need premium gas is when you tow your 40-ft yacht with your Honda Civic across the west Texas dessert. Besides that, you’re in the clear.
Myth #2: Some engines require premium – Like I mentioned above, there was a time in a galaxy far, far away when premium was “recommended” by the owner’s manual. Now, it’s merely “suggested.” The reason for this is that all engines are built to work on regular gas without any consequences to the longevity of the engine. So why waste an extra 20 to 30 cents at the gas pump for no reason at all?
Myth #3: Reduction of knock and ping – Before the Spice Girls became international superstars (for those of you that don’t attribute any meaning to this reference, I’m talking about 1996) using premium gas did indeed reduce knock and ping. See, our parents weren’t always wrong. However, in this day and age engines are equipped with a knock sensor that automatically adjusts the fuel to prevent this.
So if you are using premium, why don’t you do a little experiment? Try regular gasoline for 4 to 5 months and see what the differences are. Most likely there will be none and you can save about $200 a year!
