Options at the pump
At gas pumps, you may see different gasoline grades, often represented by numbers like 87, 89, and 93 (or sometimes by names like Regular, Mid-Grade, and Premium). These grades refer to the octane rating of the gasoline.
Gasoline is made up of different chemicals, and one important factor is called octane. Octane is a measure of how well the gasoline can resist something called "knocking" or "pinging" in the engine.
When the gasoline and air mixture in the engine's combustion chamber doesn't burn smoothly, it can cause knocking sounds. This can happen when the air and gasoline mixture ignites too early or too late. It's not good for the engine and can affect its performance.
Gasoline with a higher octane rating is designed to resist knocking better. So, you might see different grades at the gas pump, like 87, 89, and 93. These numbers represent the octane rating. The higher the number, the higher the octane rating.
Most cars are designed to run on a specific gasoline grade recommended by the manufacturer. This information can usually be found in the car's manual or near the gas cap. It's important to follow the recommended grade because it helps the engine run smoothly and efficiently.
In general, if your car's manual recommends regular gasoline, you can use the 87 grade. If it suggests premium gasoline, then you would need the higher-octane grades like 89 or 93.
Using a higher-octane gasoline than recommended won't make the engine perform better if it's designed for regular gasoline. It might just be a waste of money. On the other hand, if your car's engine requires premium gasoline and you use a lower-octane grade, it could cause knocking and affect the performance.
