We’ve all seen these numbers at the gas pump … 87, 89, 92, etc. You probably know these as octane ratings.
We all know the higher the number the more you pay per gallon. But have you ever wondered what these grades of gasoline do for your car or truck? Octane ratings rate the volatility of gasoline.
By this we mean burn rate. For example, an 87 grade of gasoline will burn faster than a 92 grade. There are three distinct levels of gasoline. They’re probably familiar:
- Regular – 85 to 88
- Mid/Plus – 89 to 90
- Premium – 92 and over
You may notice different states have different octane levels. For instance in mountainous areas, “Regular” octane grade levels may be at 85. That is because of the altitude.
Changes in altitude, humidity and temperature can affect a car or truck’s engine. Changes octane grades in gasoline from state to state take into account antiknock guidelines. These guidelines help to prevent engine knock.
If you don’t know what engine knock sounds like you can see it here.
So what grade of gasoline should you put in your car or truck?
The rule of thumb is to following your vehicle’s owner’s manual. You also should replace your gas filter. There’s no miles rule like oil changes, but you should try to change the filter at least once a year for preventative purposes.
The next time your getting a Tucson oil change or an El Paso car tune up talk to your mechanic to see what’s the best fuel for your car or truck.
An oil filter is a critical part to the health of your vehicle. Without an oil filter, your vehicle would be susceptible to contaminants that could cause wear and damage to parts inside your engine.
You’ve probably heard about people paying a premium price to switch from conventional motor oil to synthetic oil in an attempt to lengthen the time between 
