Tips & Tricks

Back to Tips & Tricks list

GASOLINE FOR YOUR VEHICLE

• What kind of gas should I buy? 
• What grade of gas should I use?
• Where should I buy it? 

These are common questions asked frequently and with good reason. Gasoline comes from very few refineries and is custom blended for the many brands we have in the metro area. Each brand has it’s own additive package with some brands using “Top Tier” (www.toptiergas.com) detergents. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline help drivers avoid lower quality gasoline which can leave deposits on critical engine parts, which reduces engine performance.  That’s something both drivers and automakers want to avoid.

Gasoline is commonly available in three grades - 85 / 87 / 91 octane rating.  These are the normal ratings for our area and elevation (5000-10,000 feet).  In lower altitudes you can normally add two points to each number to get the perspective octane ratings.

The octane rating is very important for you to understand as it has a large bearing on the health of your engine.  The best guide for which grade to use will be in your vehicles owner manual.  Just remember that most manuals are written for the bulk of the vehicle population, which is at the lower elevations.  So with that in mind, the call for 87 octane equates to 85 octane at this elevation here in the Denver Area, and so on.

Another determination for grade of fuel will be the internal engine condition and a “spark knock or ping”.  If this condition is present, then it is possible your engine needs the next grade of fuel (premium grade). Be careful in doing this especially if the knock or ping is still present after the second tank of the higher-octane fuel is used up. If the knock persists you could have other engine management issues.

The best practice of where to buy your fuel should be at the facility that is convenient with as little driving as needed to get there. Make sure it is a name brand station that carries the “Top Tier” detergents. The busier the station the better, the more gasoline that is dispensed should give you a fresh supply with less chance of contaminates or moisture content.

If you have any questions on what type of gasoline to buy for your vehicle please visit your local Colorado Select AutoCare Center. We will be happy to assist you in getting the best value for you and your vehicle.