SKILLS

Why you should never put premium gas your non-premium car — Proper Care & Feeding with Jason Cammisa

Stop wasting money! Putting premium gas in a car designed for regular gas could actually cost you some power and efficiency. Car companies spend millions developing engines to run on a specific grade of fuel — including making the conscious decision to tune an engine for “regular” unleaded gas. Putting premium gas in a car that can’t take advantage of it isn’t just a waste of money. Your car won’t make more power – and it might cost you a fraction of an MPG.

On the other hand, if your car calls for premium fuel, use it. Running lower-octane fuel will reduce power and efficiency — and, if your engine doesn’t have a knock sensor, could lead to engine damage.

In short: RTFM. Use the type of fuel that the manufacturer of your car recommends

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“Proper Care & Feeding of Cars” is a techsplainer series hosted by automotive journalist Jason Cammisa. Using equal measures of science, humor, and just plain common sense, it aims to help enthusiasts become the best car experts they can be. Covering everything from car-care to advanced driving techniques, new episodes of PC&F will debut regularly on ISSIMI’s YouTube and Instagram channels.

Don’t forget to visit www.issimi.com