Many car & truck owners in Tulsa wonder if using premium (or high octane) fuel will make their vehicle run better. RC Auto Specialists has often been asked if there really is a difference. Yes, there is a difference, but it may not be what you expect.
Gas comes in different grades, or octane ratings. “Regular” gas is at the bottom end with the lowest octane rating, and “Premium” has the highest octane rating. Almost all gas stations in the Tulsa area also offer a middle-grade that falls somewhere between the two. Some regions of the country have different ratings based on altitude.
The main point to remember about octane ratings is this: what does your vehicle manufacturer recommend for your specific car or truck? The reason is that engines are designed to run on a certain kind of fuel. One example is turbocharged engines. They are designed to run on premium fuel, and there’s a reason for it.
Of course, if you have any questions about your vehicle and the best fuel for it, always feel free to contact us. RC Auto Specialists is located at 5822 S 107th E Ave, Tulsa OK 74146. Our phone number is (918) 872-8115.
We recommend that you take a moment to reference your owner’s manual to see if it’s okay to use gasoline with different octane ratings. Many cars & trucks in the Tulsa, OK area have an engine control computer that has the ability to adapt to different octane ratings. The end result is perhaps a little less performance and fuel economy, but some savings at the pump. There’s no risk of damage.
However, there are engines that can be damaged by using a lower octane than is recommended by the manufacturer. And this kind of engine damage is NOT cheap to repair. Don’t take the risk- find out out what your car or truck needs. It’s foolish to save a little at the gas station only to loose it plus a whole lot more in repair bills.
Here’s another important point: Since today’s vehicles are computer-controlled and designed to run best on a certain fuel grade, there is no benefit to using a grade higher than what is recommended. You won’t experience any noticeable improvement in fuel economy or performance.
Keep in mind that current regulations require that ALL gasoline grades have detergents to help keep your engine clean, so whatever fuel you use, you’ll get this benefit. By the way, if you hear noises coming from your engine like pinging or chattering, it’s worth having it checked out here at RC Auto Specialists. It might be nothing, but it could be the telltale signs of a pending problem.
Since gas prices have be high, we’re all doing our best to make the dollar go further, especially when it comes to our vehicles. Do yourself a favor and use the octane rating recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Also, make sure your tires are inflated to the right pressure. Finally, keep your vehicle serviced regularly. All these things will help you save in the long run.