Have you ever wondered whether you should be filling up with premium, mid-grade or regular fuel? The answer may lie with octane levels.
To start, octane, a hydrocarbon with low molecular weight, is a component of gasoline. The low molecular weight of octane makes it very flammable, giving it the volatile characteristics that gasoline needs to be effective.
The mid- and late 1960s saw the word ‘octane’, or more specifically, ‘high octane levels’ become popular in gasoline advertisements. It was during the 1960s that muscle cars, drag racing, and a need for speed hit the public. It was during this time that consumers began to realize fast cars with high-performance engines needed high octane levels in gasoline for optimum performance.
Avoid knocking at all costs
An octane rating is essentially the measurement of a fuel’s ability to avoid engine knock. Knock occurs when fuel is prematurely ignited (before the spark plug) and it’s dangerous for your engine — it can quickly blow holes in the pistons. This premature ignition also reduces a vehicle’s efficiency. A higher octane level will prevent premature ignition and knocking. So, higher octane ratings mean safer operation and better performance in high compression ratio, turbocharged engines. And, when you were racing muscle cars in the ‘60s, you needed the most efficient engine you could have.
Today, modern engines are equipped with anti-knocking technology so knocking is no longer the threat it once was. Higher octane levels can still be beneficial for your engine, but it depends on your vehicle.
Check your manual
The right octane level for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual. Three octane grades are offered at every Co-op Gas Bar: regular, mid-grade, and premium. One thing to remember is that fuel differs not only in octane levels but also in additives. With Co-op, you can trust the additive levels in your gasoline are safe as we meet or exceed TOP TIERTM standards. Top Tier certified gasoline is a performance standard designed and supported by automotive manufacturers. The standards specify fuel that contains a certain level of detergent which prevents fuel deposits from forming on valves and fuel injectors. And, not only does Top Tier fuel prevent deposits from forming, it can actually help with fuel mileage and reducing carbon emissions in the process.
At Co-op, we enhance all grades of gasoline with an aggressive detergency package that is certified Top Tier. It protects both modern and legacy motors by aiding in deposit removal and restoring fuel mileage. For all Co-op manufactured gasoline, we give formulation adjustments 10 times a year for optimal seasonal performance.
Higher octane levels aren’t just good for your day-to-day vehicle, either. When you’re racing dirt bikes, adventuring on ATVs or boating on the lake you’ll want to fill your machine up with premium, high-level octane fuel to avoid any chance of knocking. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended octane grade.