Gasoline Grade (Octane)
The most obvious difference in various gasolines is grade, or octane rating. Gasoline is priced according to its octane rating -- a higher octane rating commands a higher price. A higher octane rating does not necessarily denote higher quality, at least not within the same brand name. The octane rating signifies anti-knock properties ONLY. The higher the grade, the more resistant the gasoline will be to engine knock (or ping). Typical pump octane ratings and grades are:
- 87 -- Economy
- 89 -- Regular
- 91 -- Super Regular
- 93 -- Premium
- 95 -- Super Premium
GASOLINE COST VS. KNOCK PERFORMANCE
Premium and super premium grade gasolines are used in high performance (high compression) engines that are turbocharged or supercharged.
