87 Octane Gas - Don't Knock It Until You've Tried It.
While none of the contents of this article are meant to replace your car manufacturer's recommendations or that of an expert mechanic, you just may be able to save some money on the high price of gas without noticing a decline in performance or fuel economy by using 87 Octane gas.
According to a 2019 article by Car And Driver they tested the performance of 4 cars first by filling them with 87 Octane Gas then again using 93 Octane gas.
2019 Honda CR-V
2019 BMW MF Competition
2019 Ford F-150
2019 Dodge Charger R/T
Read the full article here for all the details.
Their bottom line was:
"While Ford's EcoBoost F-150 stands out as an obvious exception, the Dodge Charger's numbers make for a tidy summary of our findings. If you buy fuel with an octane rating above the manufacturer's requirement, you're likely to feel it in your wallet more than the seat of your pants."
What Causes Your Engine To Knock?
Detonation knock is a noise you'll hear when the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders doesn't ignite properly. When this happens, it causes a pounding or rattling noise. The cause of this can be from using lower octane fuel than what is recommended for your engine, incorrect timing, or too much compression.
What Do Octane Ratings Mean?
The octane rating is a measure of how heat resistant a fuel is. This is so the fuel does not knock or ping when it is combusted. In other words, high-octane fuels are more resistant to pre-ignition and detonation.
In the past cars without modern fuel injection systems needed higher octane fuel to prevent knocking but with today's technology, most cars can run on the lower 87 octane gas without any problem.
Is There A Difference Between 87 & 93 Octane Gas?
The actual fuel is the same but the refining process for higher octane fuel is more expensive. So, if you're looking to save a few bucks at the pump, 87 octane gas is the way to go. Just be sure to check with your car's manufacturer first to see if it is okay to use.
Are You Driving Around With A Gas Guzzler?
With the average price of regular gas hitting new record highs , now might be the time to consider getting rid of your gas guzzler.
You might be surprised at how much money you can save by trading in your gas guzzler for a more fuel-efficient car.
Check out our wide selection of cars that get great gas mileage, so you can drive further for less.
