Premium vs. Regular Gas for Luxury Cars?

High gas prices continue to make the typical Darien commute more expensive, causing many luxury car drivers to wonder if they can switch to regular gas instead of premium. What is the difference between premium and regular gas, and should you always opt for premium gas in your luxury car? Our service center is here to help, so we’ve put together the detailed premium vs. regular gas comparison below to answer your questions. We’ll also talk about the performance of luxury cars with regular gas and luxury cars with premium gas.

Premium vs. Regular Gas – Octane

One difference between premium and regular gas has to do with octane. Regular gasoline typically has an octane rating of 87, while premium gasoline has a higher octane rating of 91 or 93. The octane rating refers to a fuel’s ability to resist “knocking” or “pinging” during combustion, caused by the air/fuel mixture detonating prematurely in the engine. This knocking can cause engine damage over time. Higher octane gasoline is less prone to knocking, which is why it’s often recommended for use in high-performance vehicles. But this doesn’t mean premium gas helps all engines to perform better. If the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends regular gas, premium gas will offer no improvement in performance.

Premium vs. Regular Gas – Price

Premium gas is pricier than regular. It can be priced twenty cents or more per gallon at some Fairfield gas stations. That can make switching to regular somewhat tempting. But as we’ll explain below, you should never use regular gas in a vehicle that is designed for premium.

Luxury Cars and Premium Gas

Do you always need to fill luxury cars with premium gas? The short answer is that it depends on the car’s recommended fuel type. If the car manufacturer recommends the use of premium fuel, as is the case with most Jaguar models, then it’s best to stick with it. Keep reading to learn why.

Luxury Cars and Regular Gas

Is it safe to fill luxury cars with regular gas? If a luxury car is designed to run on premium gasoline, using regular gasoline can have negative effects on the car’s performance and engine. Using regular gasoline can cause engine knock, which can lead to decreased performance on our Westport roads and potentially cause damage to the engine over time.

We’re Here to Help at Jaguar Darien Authorized Certified Pre-Owned and Service

Is your car’s engine knocking? Bring it into our service center and let our knowledgeable technicians take care of it. We’ll get you back on the road in no time. And, if you found this guide to be helpful, check out our other automotive tips, like our posts on how to check coolant levels and how often to change spark plugs. We’re just down the road from Stamford. So, drop by or contact us today.