Premium vs. Regular Gas: What's the Difference?

Have you gone to a gas station to fill up your vehicle and wondered how premium vs. regular gas compared? At Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati, we’ve got your answers! We compared both types of gasoline options so you can decide which one is better suited for your particular Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Don’t hesitate to contact our service center for additional information.

What is Premium Gasoline? 

Premium and regular gas share a lot of similar qualities, such as they’re both produced from crude oil and are combustible. Where they vary, however, is the octane level. Typically, premium gas will have an octane level of 90 or above. Because of this, it helps keep your engine cleaner to avoid pollution.

What is Regular Unleaded Gasoline? 

Regular, the most common type of gas, works great for most vehicles on the Blue Ash roads. It’s better for the environment and your vehicle’s health than gas that has lead in it. It has an octane rating of 87, which means it does an excellent job at combating inappropriate fuel combustion. 

What’s The Difference Between Premium and Regular Gas:

Even though the two gas options look similar, there are factors that separate them apart:

• Octane Rating: The higher the octane level, the less chance there is of engine knocking, which damages your luxury car. Also known as pre-ignition, this isn’t as common with premium gasoline. 
• Engine Suitability: Regular unleaded gas burns faster than premium, so it’s better-suited for engines with low compression ratios. Engines with high compression ratios will benefit more from using premium gas. 
• Price: Premium gas can be 20 to 40 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded gas, which adds up if your commutes go beyond Montgomery or Sharonville. 

When trying to decide between premium vs. regular gas, keep these tips in mind:

• If your Mercedes-Benz vehicles doesn’t require premium gas, it won’t increase its performance or longevity. 
• If premium gas is required, using regular gas will not harm the vehicle. However, if you notice a knocking song when using regular unleaded gas, it’s time to switch back to premium. 
• It may be necessary to use premium gas in vehicles that utilize turbochargers. 

Get More Tips From the Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Service Center Today!

If you want to know more about the difference between premium and regular gas, don’t hesitate to give our service center a call. We’ll help you determine which type of gas is right for your new or used luxury vehicle.