What is the difference between regular and unleaded gas?

You have many choices when you pull up to the gas pump. If you aren’t sure what’s best, it can cause a lot of confusion. What is the difference between regular and unleaded gasoline?

We will be discussing unleaded gasoline and regular gas in this article. The differences in regular and alternative fuels at the pump are also discussed. The guide ends with a discussion on how to pick the correct fuel for your vehicle.

What is the difference between regular and unleaded gas?

Since 1970s neurological concerns led to the ban on leaded fuel, it is now legal for unleaded gas to be used as regular gasoline.

There are many octane levels for unleaded gasoline, so some gas varieties may be considered premium. That’s why it’s important to know the differences.

What is Unleaded Gas?

Unleaded gas does not contain lead. This formula was developed in 1970 as an alternative to previously available leaded gasoline. The environment is healthier and safer than the use of leaded gasoline. However, it’s also more expensive to manufacture. 

Originaly, the use of lead to boost the fuel's octane was because it had a higher melting point. This higher level of octane meant that there was less pinging and knocking when combustion took place. It was not allowed to be used, however, because of neurological issues that were manifesting in some people's brains, especially young children. The fuel also increased the pollution levels in the atmosphere. 

Leaded gasoline is still required for some models older than the current model. It can be used for performance enhancement in racecars. However, it’s been almost entirely replaced in the United States 

What is regular gasoline?

Unleaded gasoline is also known as regular gas. Regular gas has a lower octane rating than premium gasoline. It’s the most commonly used in today’s vehicles and is labeled with an “87” octane rating.

Regular gas can be used in most cars today unless it’s a high-performance model or a luxury vehicle. It’s also the most inexpensive option as far as unleaded gasoline is concerned. 

RELATED: Is it possible to use regular gasoline in a flexible fuel vehicle?

Regular vs. Premium Gas

1. Octane

There are two types of octane ratings: regular gas and premium. Octane refers to the fuel’s ability to withstand a certain level of combustion. Air and fuel are compressed in a combustion engine to cause an explosion. This mixture must be ignited at just the right time to ensure pre-ignition doesn’t occur. It will produce a loud knocking sound and cause engine damage. You could also experience performance issues or engine damage.

Normal gas is rated at an 87 octane. Premium gas, which is usually 89-94, has a higher octane rating. Higher octane levels mean that the gas can resist pre-ignition better for engine protection. 

2. Pricing

Gas isn’t cheap anymore these days, no matter what you do. But regular unleaded fuel will be much cheaper than premium fuels.

Premium fuel can cost you up to twenty percent more on average. When that is what’s required by the engine, the small difference is better than damaging the car engine, but it does add up. 

3. Compatibility with Engines

Most cars today use regular unleaded gasoline. It’s the perfect addition to most cars, trucks and SUVs for optimal engine performance.

On the other hand, it’s recommended for some vehicles to use premium fuel. Premium fuel may be suggested for high performance vehicles or models that are luxurious. If you are in doubt, read the owner’s manual or ask your local dealership what is best. 

RELATED : Which Gas Stations Provide the Highest Quality Gas? (Top 5 Best)

Gas: E85 vs. Regular

E85 gas may be recommended for certain newer models. You might be wondering what E85 is and how it compares to regular. It is also important to determine if the fuels can be used interchangeably.

To start, ethanol is a renewable fuel source that’s manufactured from plant materials, otherwise referred to as biomass. Some ethanol is present in regular unleaded gasoline. The fuel will be classified as E10 in most cases. This means that it contains ten percent to ninety per cent gasoline. This fuel has the correct amount of oxygen.

You can call newer cars E85 flexfuel. It means you can use either regular unleaded fuel or choose to run on E85. The blend can be defined as 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol. Ethanol burns faster and creates less pollution, but it doesn’t produce as much energy. Plus, it’s not always easy to find unless you live in the Midwest region, where it’s usually created. 

RELATED: Ethanol (E85) vs Gasoline – Differences (Pros & Cons)

How important is Octane rating?

This is one of most crucial factors. The engine's compression rate is determined by this number. This number determines how much compression is possible before an engine detonates. 

In order to protect the engine against damage, it is necessary that detonation occurs at a certain time. That’s why motors are all rated to be used with a particular octane fuel. If your vehicle is supposed to be driven with premium fuel, it might still run on one with a lower octane, but the performance isn’t going to be the same, fuel economy may suffer and you could cause engine damage down the road.

How to determine fuel Octane

1. Manual Car

You can find the correct octane rating in your car's manual. Inside the owner’s manual, you will see precisely what the manufacturer recommends. If you don’t have the car manual, you can look at a copy online.

Remember that this recommendation doesn’t automatically mean that’s all you can use. You should only use the highest octane if it is the only alternative. The automaker will know best. 

2. Speak to a Dealership

If you can’t seem to find a car manual, you could reach out to your local dealership or automaker through a contact form. It’s possible to get more information through one of these avenues.

The information specific to your vehicle can be retrieved by dealership technicians. It’s best to get their advice, especially if you are looking to get warranty repair from them should anything go wrong. 

3. Check out the Test Options

If the owner’s manual doesn’t require that you use one particular type of fuel, you can do some experimentation. To find the best octane rating for your car, you can try it with several. To get an even better understanding of differences, it is best to run your car as low as you can before switching fuels.

You may also find an occasion when changing your octane is a good idea. It might be worth upgrading to premium fuel temporarily if your engine is under extreme stress or you tow heavy objects. Follow the advice of your automaker and use your best judgement.

Do premium gasoline and premium fuel make a car go faster?

The car isn’t going to gain any more speed simply by adding premium gas to the tank. How the fuel is compressed determines how high an octane rating. An increase in the octane ratings allows fuel to be compressed faster before it detonates. Since detonation can lead to engine damage, it’s important that you follow the octane rating that’s recommended by the manufacturer.

You might notice a smoother engine and better fuel economy by switching to premium fuel. Premium fuel can provide greater protection from damage. You can also get more protection against damage if your engine is downgraded to a lower level of octane. The engine can’t run as efficiently, so you might go through more fuel in the long run. 

Can Premium Gas Damage My Car Engine?

If you choose the wrong fuel for your vehicle, it could cause engine damage. If you put gasoline fuel into a diesel engine, or vice versa you could have major problems. The same isn’t necessarily true by using the wrong octane. 

But car engines were designed to be run on particular fuel octane. You might think you are doing good by upgrading to premium fuel, but that’s not necessarily the case. It could do more harm than good. 

However, the risk of using a fuel with a lower octane in an engine that is sensitive to premium could prove more dangerous. Your engine needs this extra protection to run properly if that’s what the automaker recommends. You shouldn’t deviate from these guidelines unless you want decreased performance and possible engine failure in the future.

Questions about Gasoline