The octane rating of the gas is displayed by bold black figures on a yellow background on the gasoline pump. It is the measurement of the engine resistance to gas detonating prematurely during combustion. The greater the octane rating, the better the fuel combustion in the engine. It is not every car that needs high-octane fuel to perform effectively. Let us know ‘Using Octane Rated Higher Than Your Vehicle’.
Using an octane rated higher than your vehicle is primarily determined by your car. Higher octane products can improve fuel economy and performance in many vehicles over time. Furthermore, using higher octane fuels reduces carbon dioxide emissions especially if your vehicle is used for heavy-duty tasks such as towing cars and boats or even heavy-duty equipment.
Vehicles with a higher engine compression ratio or those that possess a turbocharger or supercharger require higher octane-rated gasoline. This is due to;
- Increased airflow, resulting in a faster vehicle.
- The engine may extract additional energy from the fuel by increasing the pressure.
- great air mixture; a higher-octane rating is needed to guarantee that the fuel detonates at the right time to optimize energy capacity.
However, in most cases, you will not notice a significant improvement under normal working conditions as even recently manufactured regular fuels contain the same detergent additives (as higher octane rated gas) which help to clean deposits from fuel injectors.
This is according to the Environmental Protection Agency which sets the detergent standards across all octanes. The premium gas does not mean a stronger gas but a more stable gas, it is advised to use the octane rating recommended by the car manufacturer.
Octane Rating Grades
Since engines are designed to burn fuel in controlled combustion, various grades must be manufactured to suit this purpose.
The various grades of Octane rating produced are;
- Grade 87 or Regular grade
- Grade 88-90 or Mid-grade
- Grade 91-94 or Premium grade
- Grade 85
These grades can also be termed unleaded (regular grade), super (mid-grade), and super-premium (premium grade) by some marketers, but they mean the same thing and are accepted globally.
What is the Cost of Using High Rated Octane Fuel?
High Octane Fuel is significantly more expensive than regular gasoline because the fuel components found in high-octane fuel are more costly to produce.
If your engine requires mid-grade or premium fuel, it is advisable to use it as not only will you fill up less frequently, but you will also save money on repairs caused by the usage of inappropriate octane. However, if not the case purchasing higher octane fuel is generally a waste of money.
This is probably psychological if you use premium gas for a regular type car because you think it makes the engine run better.
What if I use a lower Rated Octane Fuel than my Engine requires?
It causes the engine to knock which happens when there is an uneven burning of gasoline in the engine. Long-term damage to the engine and emissions control system can be caused by persistent knocking.
It also results in possible termination of warranty due to the usage of a non-recommended fuel.
Premature explosions, characterized by a knocking or pinging noise are mostly heard in old cars due to the usage of low-rated octane. Fortunately, new car models adopt a spark timing mechanism that compensates for the premature explosion but does not cater to the engine economy that continues to be inefficient.
Is Ethanol Capable of Increasing the Octane Rating of Gasoline?
Yes. Ethanol octane rating as compared to gasoline is considerably higher. Most gasoline available today contains about 10% ethanol, some 15% of which is added by refiners to increase the octane rating. Manufacturers around the globe have approved the use of such blends in recent model automobiles especially those in low-pressure areas.
Conclusion
- A popular misconception is that higher octane equals higher power.
- As most vehicles only require regular fuel, it is best to use the recommended octane rating by the manufacturer for your vehicle
- They are almost no benefits to using an Octane rated higher than your vehicle engine requires, but using a lower octane rating puts the engine at risk of major damage.
- The higher the octane number, the more stable the fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the suggested octane rating for most vehicles?
For most cars, regular gasoline with an octane rating of 87 is recommended. You may validate the manufacturer’s fuel recommendations by consulting the car manual. Remember that octane needs might vary depending on the operation and environmental circumstances.
- Can I use an 85-octane rating in my Vehicle?
The 85-rated gas is designed for use in high-altitude areas. Engines using carburetors may be able to accept the lower-rated gas. Newer engines, on the other hand, cannot withstand lower octane-rated gas as much as older vehicles, hence they are not advised for newer cars.
