Does my Honda car need to use premium gasoline?

Almost universally speaking, most Honda sedans, hatchbacks and crossover SUVs rank among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in each automotive industry segment. But as a vehicle’s technology advances, more Meridian Honda customers have been wondering aloud, ‘Does my Honda car need to use premium gasoline?’ If this question has been weighing on your mind, the Meridian Honda Blog is here to help. When it comes to filling up your tank, most Honda vehicles are going to perform just fine with regular grade gas. Let’s take a look at what premium gas actually is, as well as some other things that you might find useful. If you still have lingering questions about how to get the most out of your Honda vehicle, please stop by the showroom, any of our product experts will be happy to assist you.

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What is premium grade gas?

Think about the last you filled out your tank. Do you remember seeing few large yellow buttons or icons with numbers on them? Those numbers represent the amount of octane in each grade of gasoline that is available at that gas station. Octane is the element of fuel that helps prevent unintended ignition (explosions) in the engine’s cylinders. This accidental ignition of the fuel/air mixture is what is colloquially-known as knocking. The general rule of thumb is, the higher the octane rating, the more stable the fuel is and the less prone it will be to cause engine knocking.

Premium gas is usually recommended, if not required, for vehicles on the higher end of the performance spectrum. These high-performance engines are built to use high-octane fuels and without them, the vehicles won’t be able to produce as much power as built to make.

Is it bad if I use the wrong grade?

Like we said earlier, most Honda vehicles are manufactured from the start to use regular grade gasoline. If someone has an absent-minded moment and puts premium in the tank, the only harm that will be done is spending money unnecessarily. On the other hand, if your vehicle requires premium and you accidentally use regular there likely won’t be any long-term harm. Your vehicle might suffer a bit in terms of horsepower and efficiency but putting the right gas in next time should easily take care of that.

There is a lot happening in the world of Honda vehicles. Stop by the Meridian Honda showroom to learn more about everything that’s available.

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