With premium gasoline costing drivers an average of 65 cents a gallon than regular gasoline as of Tuesday, drivers may be tempted to fill their tanks with regular fuel to save money.
But is it a good idea?
Experts say that choosing the right fuel will depend on the type of vehicle you drive. If your car requires premium gasoline, switching to regular gasoline can help reduce fueling costs, but it can also lead to costly repairs down the road.
“If I had a car that required premium gas and there was a huge price difference and I go on a trip, you could probably get away with it,” said Jason McDonald, chief operating officer of Village Ford. dealer in Michigan. But I wouldn’t risk it.
Martin Bruinsma, 65, photographs gas prices in Los Angeles. The price of regular gasoline topped the $4 a gallon U.S. average on Sunday for the first time since 2008.
DO NOT PLAY WITH GASOLINE TANK: Why flowing below a quarter of a tank can cost more than refilling
What is the difference between regular, medium and premium gas?
Most gas stations sell three types of gas: regular, medium and premium. Some gas stations have different names for each grade—unleaded, super, extra, premium, or super premium, for example—but they all refer to different octane ratings.
Typically, regular fuel has an octane rating of 87. According to the US Energy Information Administration, mid-grade fuel, which is a mixture of regular fuel and premium fuel, has an octane rating of 89 or 90, while premium is somewhere between 91 and 94. Ratings vary slightly from state to state.
“This may sound strange to some people, but what it really means is the ability of gasoline to resist detonation or explosion before it should,” Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA, told USA TODAY.
Typically, regular fuel has an octane rating of 87. According to the US Energy Information Administration, mid-grade fuel, which is a mixture of regular fuel and premium fuel, has an octane rating of 89 or 90, while premium is somewhere between 91 and 94.
Simply put, a higher octane rating means the fuel is more stable, which is necessary for some engines.
“If the octane is not high enough for a particular situation, the fuel will ignite on its own because it heats up, and this results in either detonation or detonation. And that’s very bad for your engine,” Brannon said.
RATED GAS: Americans rationed gas during World War II and the oil crises of the 1970s. Will this happen in Putin’s “war”?
The story goes on
Can I use regular gasoline if my car requires premium?
Experts advised against switching to regular gas if the vehicle requires premium.
If a vehicle requires high-octane gasoline but runs on lower-octane gasoline, drivers risk damage to the powertrain, which includes the engine, transmission and other components, McDonald said. Transmission damage can cost $20,000 to $30,000 in engine repairs plus labor costs, he said.
Brannon noted that most cars are equipped with sensors that can help some cars run on lower octane gasoline, even if built for premium gasoline, but switching to gas can still cause damage.
“It’s really not a good idea,” he said. “It’s possible the engine won’t be able to adjust (to regular gas).”
Brannon added that drivers who use regular gasoline in a car that requires a premium could void their warranty.
Drivers can find out what kind of gasoline their car needs by looking at the owner’s manual or the gas tank door. Brannon estimates that approximately 75% of the cars on the road drive normally.
HIGH GAS PRICES: Why are gas prices rising so fast? And how high should they go?
My car says premium gasoline is recommended. Can you fill up with regular gasoline?
But what do drivers do when they are told that premium gasoline is recommended but not required?
Brannon said the AAA study found that there are “very, very small differences” in performance and fuel economy when these vehicles use recommended premium gasoline compared to lower-octane gasoline.
“When a car recommends premium, you can only get a one or two percentage point better fuel economy and power if you use premium fuel over regular fuel,” Brannon said.
Due to rising gasoline prices, he recommends that these drivers use regular gasoline “in the vast majority of cases.” Certain circumstances, such as towing a heavy load, can make premium gasoline more expensive.
FUEL SUPPLEMENT IN UBER, LYFT: Uber and Lyft introduce surcharge to help delivery drivers deal with high gas prices
Which vehicles require premium gasoline?
Fuel requirements vary from car to car, but Brannon said premium fuel requirements are more common among sports cars, high-powered luxury sedans and turbocharged engines.
“A luxury brand is not only about the cost of ownership, because the car itself is very expensive,” he said. “They are trying to get the most out of this car. If they have to require their customers to use premium, that’s fine. Their customers understand this and hopefully continue to do so.”
At Village Ford, President Jim Seawitt said most Ford vehicles require regular gasoline and only high-performance Mustangs use premium fuel.
“I have a Mustang Shelby that should use premium. If it’s a high-performance car, then it’s using premium, and people who buy a high-performance car expect to invest in premium,” Siwitt said.
Should I use premium gas instead of regular gas if it is not required?
Some drivers fill their natural gas vehicles with premium gasoline hoping for better performance. But Brennon said it was a waste of money.
“It’s literally a tailpipe with no absolute benefit to you as a consumer,” Brannon said.
Looking for higher grades of gasoline? Brannon recommends looking for gas stations that offer “high-end” gasoline that meets certain standards for advanced detergents and can keep engines clean.
AAA recommends that drivers look for the highest tier fuel that is right for their vehicle.
GAS PRICES INCREASED: What can Biden do to cut fuel costs amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
HOW TO SAVE ON THE PUMP: How to Save Money at a Gas Station When Gas Prices Hit Record Highs After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
“It’s easy to get confused with all this premium fuel marketing,” Brannon said. But top-tier gasoline “will actually allow the engine to run longer, happier, (with) better fuel economy and the like.”
He added that top-tier fuel prices are “comparable” to other gas prices. Drivers interested in finding top tier gas stations near them can search the web at https://www.toptiergas.com/.
Brock Gunter, an automotive instructor at the University of Idaho, added that drivers looking to save on fuel should pay more attention to how they drive.
“Just stay away from the gas,” he said. “Go nice and smooth. It makes a huge difference.”
Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schultz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.
This article first appeared in USA TODAY: High Gas Prices: Can Drivers Switch to Regular Gas to Save Money?