Are higher-octane gasolines always better than lower ones?

[Paul Javier]

Since high-octane is better in avoiding "unnecessary" or "pre-mature" combustion in your cylinders, is it "therapeutic" to your engine, thus making the life of your engine longer than the ones using lower-octane ratings or unleaded since day 1?

[[archie]]

I don't think so. It depends on the car. Higher compression engines need high octane fuel. For Econo cars that can take 91 Ron, I don't think it would matter.

[jut703]

If your car doesnt need it, then no. More placebo effect than real improvement in performance for econoboxes.

[greatauror28]

This is among the list of top money-wasters of all time.

Placebo effect to the fullest eh!

[nivraarvin]

Most people are aware that "high octane" fuels resist pre mature ignition, or engine knock, especially on high compression engines.

But octane number is also the iso-octane content of a fuel. Set aside ethanol kasi panggulo lang yun. The main components of gasoline are iso-octane and n-heptane.

A gasoline with pure iso-octane will have 100 octane number. This will also have a higher energy content compared to a 95 octane gasoline(5% n-heptane, 95% iso-octane). Whether your engine is efficient enough to extract that and convert that to noticeable power is another question.

A Honda Civic may gain or regain 1hp. A Bugatti Veyron?

[dr. d]

Since high-octane is better in avoiding "unnecessary" or "pre-mature" combustion in your cylinders, is it "therapeutic" to your engine, thus making the life of your engine longer than the ones using lower-octane ratings or unleaded since day 1?

waste of money, if you ask me.
but then, there's always somebody out there who will swear his drive "improved significantly" when he switched to hi octane..
but i feel that if one's car is in such poor condition that it is pre-igniting, then switching to hi octane fuel might diminish the pre-ignition and actually "work wonders" on his engine..
my 86 centavos' worth..

[siopaonatoasted]

Hi-octane fuels are useless in city drives, di ka naman makabwelo so what is the use. Wala naman tayo dito mga interstate highways na you can go rezing rezing na wala kang sasalpukan na waiting shed or by standers.

Kakabasa ko dito sa tsikot ng hi-octane ek ek na yan, nagkarga rin ako ng petron xcs sa innova, linsyok parang uhaw na sumisipsip ng zesto yung sasakyan, kaya ayun balik ako sa fuel save ng shell.

[Paul Javier]

Hi-octane fuels are useless in city drives, di ka naman makabwelo so what is the use. Wala naman tayo dito mga interstate highways na you can go rezing rezing na wala kang sasalpukan na waiting shed or by standers.

Kakabasa ko dito sa tsikot ng hi-octane ek ek na yan, nagkarga rin ako ng petron xcs sa innova, linsyok parang uhaw na sumisipsip ng zesto yung sasakyan, kaya ayun balik ako sa fuel save ng shell.

nakow, so totoo pala tlaga na mas maaksaya ang high-octane?

[kisshmet]

the potential of a high octane fuel can only be eminent in an open free flowing traffic like in the hi-way. so if you want to tap the potential of an energy packed fuel, use it only in your out of town trips especially if your car is pretty much loaded.

at 0kph (idle speed) the energy potential of premium fuel is simply atrophied. so if you drive alone more in the city, then a low octane fuel will be more cost effective

[Walter]

Just follow the minimum octane requirement of your vehicle. It's in the manual. Like for example, a 1st gen CR-V requires minimum 95 octane fuel.