One of the arguments many people make against getting a European car is Premium gas.
It costs you a few cents extra at the pump, and if you fill up once a week, four weeks a month, 12 months a year, it translates to about 50 times whatever the difference in fuel prices are. According to OppositeLock, it’s about $0.37, so the difference is $18.50/year.
Not a huge amount, but psychologically it seems like much more.
Some surprising cars, like the Honda Civic Si, actually recommend premium fuel. Equally surprising is that the Land Rover LR2 requires regular.
“What’s the difference”, you say?
Compression ratios. Premium fuel cars require a higher octane fuel to match the larger compression ratios.
The higher the octane rating, the more the engine can advance timing. Running lower octane gas in your car will lower both your power output and gas mileage, enough that it will likely cost you about the same as running 93 in it.
This is not a place where being a cheapskate helps.
Pay the extra cents. Get premium fuel when your car needs it.
And yes, you can put premium fuel in your car that takes regular.
Will it make much of a difference?
I’ve noticed a slight acceleration boost in my Jeep as well as smoother power delivery.
Results differ, but if you’re running low and you need to fill up, get a few gallons of the good stuff and try it out.