With higher octane “premium” fuels costing ten to twenty cents more per gallon, many people wonder whether they really get any value out of shelling out the extra money for gas.

The answer: it depends on your car.

First of all, higher octane simply means that there will be less pre-detonation of fuel when an engine’s pistons are firing. The higher the octane, the less pre-detonation occurs, and so the less chance there is of damage to your engine.

However, before you run off to pay the extra for premium gas, know that most cars on the road today were designed to run perfectly with just 87 octane. That means that going for the higher octane really won’t make a difference in your car’s performance.

In general, you should be able to use regular gas unless you’re driving a sports car or another premium vehicle. Most people would be better off spending that money on getting a regular Phoenix car tune up and staying consistent with getting a Phoenix oil change every 3,000 miles.

For specifics about which gas you should use, check your vehicles owner’s manual and follow its recommendation.