Which grade of gasoline to use

If your owner's manual says your vehicle doesn't require premium but says that your vehicle will run better on higher octane fuel, it's really up to you. The cost increase is typically higher than the fuel savings. However, lowering CO 2 emissions and decreasing petroleum usage by even a small amount may be more important than cost to some consumers. The sale of 85 octane fuel was originally allowed in high-elevation regions—where the barometric pressure is lower —because it was cheaper and because most carbureted engines tolerated it fairly well.

This is not true for modern gasoline engines. So, unless you have an older vehicle with a carbureted engine , you should use the manufacturer-recommended fuel for your vehicle, even where 85 octane fuel is available.

Ethanol has a much higher octane rating about than gasoline. Refiners usually blend ethanol with gasoline to help boost its octane rating—most gasoline in the U. Ford Motor Company. Szybist, J. SAE Int. Fuels Lubr. Stein, R. Polovina, K. Roth, M. Foster, et al. Leone, T. Olin, J. Anderson, H. Jung, et al. Kalghatgi, G. Warrendale: Society of Automotive Engineers. Gibbs, L. Anderson, K. Barnes, et al. Motor Gasolines Technical Review.

It is also recommended that you do research about a new vehicle before purchasing it to understand its requirements and the potential costs involved. Sometimes, using a higher octane rating may improve gas mileage, but it depends on the vehicle. Higher octanes improve performance and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions during severe duty operations, such as towing. However, under normal driving conditions, it will do little to nothing for your vehicle.

Higher octanes do cost more, but that is because the fuel components that boost the octane rating are more expensive to produce. If your vehicle requires mid-grade to premium gas, it is well worth the cost. Not only will you reduce how often you need to fill up, but you can also minimize costly repairs associated with using the wrong octane for your vehicle.

Some gas stations will have ethanol that you can add to your vehicle to boost the rating. Ethanol does have a higher octane rating at about than gasoline. Some refiners will blend it with gasoline to increase the rating — and you may find blends with 10 to 15 percent ethanol. This is where you better have knowledge of how to disassemble your carb and reassemble it after changing jets.

You want less fuel and more air, then a timing light to retard your distributors spark a few degrees. Simple eh?

What does change the octane numbers in your gas is sudden stops,and sloshing around in a tank without baffles or foam blocks to keep the gas from doing the Big Slosh!! I love my car and all of the tips and tricks that are on this site are very informative, thank you.

I have a Ford f 5. I have heard that gas can make a difference in your vehicle. I just thought that the gas was different in price just to tell you that there are different kinds. I wonder if I can use premium in my car. Hope this answered your question? Regular Gas. Here are a handful of helpful facts to guide your choice at the pump: What is premium gasoline and how is it different from regular?

Is premium gas better for your vehicle? When should you get premium gas?