Premium vs. Regular Gas: What’s the Difference?

When you fill up at a gas station around Warren, you probably wonder what the difference is between premium and regular gas. After all, gas is gas, right? While they might appear to be the same thing, there are a few differences between premium and regular gas.

Find out what separates premium gas from regular gas and which gas your Honda needs with the car experts at Apostolakis Honda. For all of your other service, parts, and car-care information, rely on the expertise of Apostolakis Honda!

Premium vs. Regular Gas: What Are They?

Before we can talk about the unique differences between premium and regular gas, we’ll first have to dive into what each type of gasoline actually is.

Premium Gasoline

Premium gas is made from crude oil and is combustible, just like regular gasoline. When it comes to octane level, which is how well your car regulates fuel combustion, premium gasoline has a level of about 90+, higher than regular gasoline. Premium gasoline is designed to keep your engine clean and give off less pollution as you drive.

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Regular unleaded gasoline is the type of gasoline most Boardman drivers use since it works for pretty much every vehicle with a combustion engine. Compared to gasoline with lead, regular unleaded gasoline is better for the environment. Compared to premium gasoline, regular unleaded has a lower octane level of 87.

What’s the Difference Between Premium & Regular Gas?

We’ve briefly mentioned some of the differences between premium and regular gas, but let’s dive a little further into what separates these types of gas from each other:

• Octane Level: Premium gas will have a higher octane level than premium gas. Higher octane levels protect from engine knocking.
• Engine Compression: Premium gas is usually better for cars with high engine compression ratios since it doesn’t burn as fast as regular gas. Since regular gas burns faster, it’s usually better for cars with low engine compression ratios.
• Cost: Premium gas is usually more expensive than regular gas. Most of the time, the price difference for premium gas is about 20-40 cents more than regular gas.

Which Is Right for Your Car: Premium or Regular Gas?

Now that you know the difference between regular and premium gas, which is better for your car?

• If your car doesn’t specifically need premium gas, then using it won’t enhance its performance on the Youngstown roads.
• If your car specifically needs premium gas, then it shouldn’t harm the engine if you have to use regular gas. The best way to know if it’s harming your engine is if you hear your engine knocking.
• If your car uses a turbocharger, then it more than likely needs premium gas.

To know for sure whether your Honda needs premium or regular gas, check your owner’s manual or reach out to our service center.

Service Your Honda in Cortland Today!

Contact us to make sure that your Honda has the right kind of gasoline in it. We’ll make sure you’re putting the right kind of gasoline in your car, and we’ll help you keep up with your Honda’s maintenance schedule!