Premium gas often comes with a higher price tag and the assumption that it improves vehicle performance or fuel efficiency. However, if your car’s manufacturer does not specifically recommend premium fuel, you could be wasting money every time you fill up. Research, including a major study by AAA, shows that premium gas offers little to no benefit for most vehicles on the road today.
Here’s what you need to know about premium fuel and why sticking to regular gas may be the smarter choice.
What Is Premium Gas?
Premium gasoline has a higher octane rating—typically 91 or 93—compared to regular gasoline, which usually has an octane rating of 87. Octane measures a fuel’s ability to resist “knocking” during combustion. High-performance and turbocharged engines often require higher octane to operate efficiently and prevent engine damage.
However, vehicles designed for regular gasoline are already engineered to prevent knocking at lower octane levels, making premium unnecessary for the vast majority of drivers.
The AAA Study: Premium vs. Regular Gasoline
A comprehensive AAA study tested vehicles designed to run on regular gasoline and evaluated their performance, fuel economy, and emissions when filled with premium fuel instead of regular.
Key findings from the study include:
- No Significant Performance Boost: Vehicles that recommended regular fuel showed no improvement in horsepower or acceleration when using premium.
- No Meaningful Increase in Fuel Economy: Gas mileage remained essentially the same whether the car was fueled with regular or premium.
- Higher Costs Without Benefits: Drivers paid an average of 20% to 25% more for premium gasoline without seeing measurable returns.
Based on these results, AAA strongly advises against using premium gasoline unless the vehicle manufacturer specifically requires it.
When You Should Use Premium Gas
- Required by Manufacturer: If your car manual states “premium required,” you must use higher octane to prevent engine damage.
- Turbocharged or High-Performance Engines: Vehicles with superchargers, turbochargers, or high compression engines often need premium for optimal function.
If your owner’s manual says “premium recommended” (not required), regular gas is generally safe to use, and the minor potential performance difference will not justify the extra cost for most drivers.
How Much Can You Save by Skipping Premium?
According to AAA’s data, the average driver can save hundreds of dollars annually by using regular instead of premium gasoline. The difference in price per gallon can range from 20¢ to 60¢ depending on your location, which adds up quickly for high-mileage drivers.
Pro Tip for Even More Savings
Besides choosing the right octane level, drivers can boost their fuel savings by using price comparison apps like GasBuddy and loyalty programs like Shell Fuel Rewards. Additionally, buying discounted fuel gift cards through Fluz can offer instant cashback without changing where you fill up.
Final Thoughts
Unless your car requires it, paying extra for premium gas does not improve your vehicle’s performance, efficiency, or lifespan. Sticking to regular gas and using other proven strategies for fuel savings is a much better investment for most drivers.
