Why is it that you can put premium gas in a car that normally takes regular, but you cant put regular in ...?

Question

why is it that you can put premium gas in a car that normally takes regular, but you cant put regular in a car that needs premium, or CAN you put regular in it??? Just curious why certain cars need specialty fuels.

Would regular gas ruin a car that says it needs premium?

Answer 1

Turbo or supercharged cars or any others that have high compression need premium gasoline.

Premium recommended - you may use premium for a slight performance boost but you don't need to use it.

Premium required - premium MUST be used to prevent long-term engine damage.

Look for these words on or near the fuel gauge.

Answer 2

bigger and better engines need more oxygen in there fuel(octane) if it isn't getting that oxygen it can deprive the engine. it won't completely ruin the car it's just not good for it. a regular car can take premium because it can't hurt your car to get more oxygen in your fuel. you just won't get any benefits out of it either so don't waste your money

Answer 3

Because PREMIUM has EXTRA octane additive.  It is always safe to have EXTRA good stuff.

But engines that NEED extra octane cannot normally use regular.  Many new cars have engine knock sensors to compensate if you were to use wrong fuel. But  you will notice a lack of power and might even suffer engine damage in the long time.

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>>  Just curious why certain cars need specialty fuels.

Some high compression (high power and/or turbo type) engines need extra high octane rating.  Otherwise the gasoline can detonate (explode) inside the piston.

Good Luck....

Answer 4

Premium 93 unleaded high octane fuel will run in all gasoline engines with catalytic converters.

You get into big trouble sooner or later trying to use low octane fuel in high compression motors. Cheap gas will cause secondary flame fronts in the combustion chambers which cause ping and spark knock and hammer. It burns too quickly and causes excess heat on the valves, pistons and combustion chambers. In high compression motors with 87 octane fuel the anti-knock sensor will be constantly retarding the spark advance to reduce spark knock. When the spark timing is retarded the motor looses power mileage and efficiency.

Contrary to what you'll hear, high test fuel burns slower, cooler and more completely. That's why it works well in a high compression designed motor.