Why is plus gas cheaper

Gasoline is mainly used as an engine fuel in vehicles. Petroleum refineries and blending facilities produce motor gasoline for sale at retail gasoline fueling stations.

There are three different types of gas at most U. You might also see the different gas grades referred to as unleaded, super, or super-premium. Using the right fuel for your vehicle can boost its performance and efficiency. It could even potentially damage your vehicle if you fill up with the wrong type of gas.

The main difference between premium gas and regular gas is the octane rating. Regular unleaded gas is typically the cheapest gas to purchase, as it is the most common. Greater domestic production of light crude oil has led to a surplus of naphtha, a lower-octane feedstock. But these greater volumes of reformate are lower in octane than smaller volumes, the EIA says, and with the plastics industry turning away from naphtha, refiners have more of an incentive to blend the lower-octane stock into their gasoline.

In , refiners dedicated 30 percent of their total capacity to octane production, a three-point dip from Regulatory changes have contributed to our octane woes. Additional caps on benzene, a large proportion of reformate, presents another challenge to octane production. What about ethanol, the plant-based renewable blended into every tankful?

Automakers, engine manufacturers, AAA, and the American Petroleum Institute have all lobbied against E15, a 15 percent blend, claiming it would lead to premature component failures. But before you gripe about paying 25 percent more for premium, know the forces working against you before the first drop hits your tank. While you might save money on gas, your car will be less powerful and fuel-efficient. This can make a huge difference in vehicles with available turbocharged engines.

While older vehicles may be susceptible to engine knock when running on low octane fuel, modern ones are equipped with sensors to help prevent knock—and by extension, engine damage.

You might save money on gas, but in this situation, you get what you pay for. Research by AAA found that these vehicles saw a slight increase in performance and fuel economy using premium gas. Depending on what and how you drive, commuters looking to get from Point A to Point B may not notice the difference or care.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference. Your car, your rules. Type: Car Ownership. Published: January 11,