Octane rating is just a measure of how fast petrol burns. Most gasoline is hexane, 6 carbons, octane is 8 carbons, burns slower. But modern fuel doesn’t actually add octane, they use ethanol to slow the burn rate.
No idea why it costs more or is called “premium”, it does not cost more to make, nor does it produce more energy.
With a sticker like that, probably. I have a car that requires premium or else it can ping (predetonate) with the right conditions and risk “ring land” damage. My other car says “91+ recommended”. It gets better fuel economy on premium, but the cost of premium is higher than the mpg benefit, even before post-covid premium price gouging that never let up.
Isn’t it more about long term engine health than any immediate mpg gains?
No. Octane isn’t better or worse for your engine. It’s about compatibility.
Octane rating is just a measure of how fast petrol burns. Most gasoline is hexane, 6 carbons, octane is 8 carbons, burns slower. But modern fuel doesn’t actually add octane, they use ethanol to slow the burn rate.
No idea why it costs more or is called “premium”, it does not cost more to make, nor does it produce more energy.
I avoid cars that require expensive petrol.
With a sticker like that, probably. I have a car that requires premium or else it can ping (predetonate) with the right conditions and risk “ring land” damage. My other car says “91+ recommended”. It gets better fuel economy on premium, but the cost of premium is higher than the mpg benefit, even before post-covid premium price gouging that never let up.