Regular Vs. Premium: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Gasoline
What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- According to AAA, it’s a waste of money to use premium fuel in a car that recommends regular.
- With sky-high gas prices, the type of gas you choose at the pump matters for both your car and your wallet.
- There’s typically three gas choices at the pump: regular, mid-grade and premium.
It’s officially road-trip season, but gas prices are bonkers and there’s no end in sight. What’s a driver to do? The type of gasoline you choose matters — for your car and your wallet.
Related: How to Save Money on Gas
There’s typically three choices at the pump: regular, mid-grade and premium. Premium fuel is the most expensive and has a higher octane rating (91-94) than regular gas (85-87), and mid-grade straddles the two.
It’s not just about cost, however. An octane rating is a measurement of a gasoline’s ability to resist issues like engine-damaging knock and pinging, which can be brought on by high compression, turbocharging or supercharging typically used in high-performance engines. Choosing the right octane can affect performance, fuel economy and engine longevity.
But there’s some confusion around what octane is required versus recommended. Some drivers upgrade to premium even when it’s not required. According to a AAA study, U.S. drivers waste about $2.1 billion a year using premium-grade gas in cars designed to run on regular fuel.
Which type is right for you? Check out all of our reporting for everything you need to know about choosing the correct gas type:
- Mix Regular Gas With Premium to Save Money at the Pump
- If Premium Gas Is Recommended for My Car, Will Using Regular Void the Warranty, Ruin the Engine?
- Why Does My Car Need Premium Gas?
- Does It Matter if Your Car Requires or Recommends Premium Gas?
- What Is E85 Gas?
- What Is Flex Fuel?
More From Cars.com:
- What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2026?
- Coasting on Fumes: How Much Gas Is Really Left in Your Tank?
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- These Hybrid SUVs Have the Best MPG
- Find Your Next Car
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