Premium Gas

[Pavel Olavich]

Originally Posted by Edd

Using higher octane than recommended will NOT make the engine knock*. It will make it less likely to knock. Higher octane = more stable and less likely to prematurely combust.
Members in this thread are correct in saying that you will most likely have no benefit from increasing the octane rating on the fuel (unless your car knocks at the recommended amount).
The top fuels (98 RON) are there to replace leaded petrol. Back in the day, lead was THE way to boost octane. Now we can achieve higher octane ratings without it, there is no need to burn lead in old cars.

*Heh, I just read the last couple of pages and I don't think anyone said it would. Nevermind then.

Edd, you make very good points. I just want to add that high octane is not just for old engines that required lead. In fact there are many very old cars that didn't need high octane, yet they did require lead. Even some 2008 models require high octane, for it's slower combustion properties; often these engines are large in displacement, and/or provide very high compression, and/or they utilize a turbo that requires a delayed burn inside the cylinder.

Reality Check Folks: Our small 1.5L low compression, non-turbo, low, low performance Yaris cars are the LAST car to get any benefit from high octane gas.

Lets get real here folks....most of the "benefits" many think they get is all in their heads....anyone hear of the Placebo effect?

Funny how age comes into play on this issue. My two teenaged daughters, both drivers, have several male friends in their age group, that all drive late model Japanese cars that DON'T require high octane, yet they ALL only use high octane gas, as they all have this dillusion of premium giving more "power" and more "speed".

Teenagers! Youth! LOL

Save your money, and be happy.