Misconceptions About High-Octane Gasoline
Have you ever stopped at a gas station and observed another motorist filling his tank with high-octane fuel? You might have even wondered whether you should do the same. After all, that guy looks confident about spending the extra money. He must know something that you don’t, right?
Not so fast. In most cases, people have the wrong ideas about premium gasoline. In short, they often believe it will deliver results that lower-octane alternatives cannot match. Below, I’m going to clarify 3 common misconceptions about premium gas that might surprise you.
#1 – Special Detergents Will Clean The Engine
This myth is half true. A high-octane solution does have special detergents in it. And they’re marketed as having unique engine-cleaning abilities. But, with the exception of severe cases of engine crud build-up, those detergents won’t provide any additional value. The extra money you’re spending to fill your tank with premium is wasted. In the event that your engine is incredibly dirty, use an additive that has been formulated to clean it.
#2 – It Provides Better Mileage
No. Premium actually doesn’t provide better mileage. This is one of those myths that has been perpetuated largely because nobody challenges it. Let me clarify how fuel influences your car’s mileage. Different gasoline companies will use varying additives in their products. Those additives impact the energy available to your car in each gallon you put into the tank. High-octane fuel contains higher levels of ethanol, which actually lessens the available energy. The end result is lower mileage.
#3 – Regular Gas Will Cancel My Warranty
This one is a judgment call. There are cars that are sold which come with owner’s manuals that recommend premium fuel. The concern is whether using regular gasoline will cause the dealership warranty to be null and void.
First, it may indeed void your warranty. But, let’s approach this from another perspective. Premium gas costs, on average, about $0.20 more than regular gasoline. Let’s assume that your car is getting 25 miles per gallon. Let’s further assume that you’re driving 15,000 miles per year.
At that rate, you’re buying 600 gallons each year. If you purchase high-octane gas for your car, you’ll be spending an additional $120 each year. Over 5 years, you’re spending an extra $600. In that light, is it truly worthwhile to continue filling your car’s gas tank with the “good stuff” just to preserve your warranty? Again, it’s a judgment call.
Remember, vehicles are built better today than ever before. The car parts and systems under the hood are designed to last for several years. In nearly every case, regular gasoline is sufficient. The important thing to realize is that most of the information about high-octane fuel is false. Once you know that, there’s very little reason to spend the extra money.
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