Whether you are interested in purchasing a Honda Accord or are a new owner of one, it is important to understand what kind of gas is required - more importantly, whether or not it needs premium gas. The short answer is no; most Hondas come equipped with an engine that runs perfectly well on regular unleaded gas. However, this doesn't mean you can never fill up with premium fuel. Read on to find out more about when to use it, and why doing so might make sense for some drivers.
What Exactly is Premium Gas?
Premium gas refers to higher octane fuel mainly used in car engines requiring greater performance capability. It's specifically marked as Premium at the pump and typically costs more than regular unleaded or mid-grade fuel. Premium gas is made up of a blend of hydrocarbon molecules that offer greater resistance to pre-ignition—a situation where the car's spark plug combusts the air fuel before it enters the cylinder. By preventing pre-ignition, car engines function more efficiently and run better with less noise, which is especially beneficial for newer cars with higher compression ratios.
Using the appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle helps maintain engine cleanliness, increases car performance, and enhances the car’s lifespan. It's important to note, however, that premium gasoline does not necessarily mean more power for all car engines.
In general, most car engines that can use premium gas can also run on regular fuel without ill effects. However, car manufacturers typically recommend using higher octane fuels when available as they are specifically formulated to provide increased protection against engine deposits and pre-ignition effects, lower levels of detectable engine knocking, improve fuel efficiency, and help maintain the car’s peak performance.
Can You Put Premium Gas in a Honda Accord?
It is usually safe to use premium gasoline in a Honda Accord, although it is not necessary. Honda has designed the car to run on regular unleaded gasoline, which can be found in most gas stations at a much more affordable price point. Premium gasoline may offer higher octane levels that can help reduce engine knocking, however it may not be necessary. Although premium grade fuel might provide greater performance with regard to fuel economy and power output, remember that such performance improvements tend to be subtle and usually only benefit high-end cars with turbocharged engines, far more than everyday sedans like the Honda Accord.
Ultimately, it is up to you whether you would like to put premium or regular gas in your vehicle. You may find that your Accord performs better than it does on regular gasoline, but you may also find that it makes no noticeable difference.
Benefits of Using Premium Gas
Using premium gas in a car is more expensive than regular gas but it does have many advantages that regular fuel may not. By using a higher octane rating, premium gas helps to optimize the performance of your car's engine. Premium gas has been found to provide cleaner burns, which helps keep engines running smoother and minimizes emissions put out into the environment. Vehicles running on premium gasoline emit lower levels of carbon monoxide, a neurotoxin that affects mammals, which is another reason it is more environmentally friendly than regular gasoline.
Though premium gas is more expensive than regular unleaded options due to its higher quality, you may also benefit from improved fuel economy that comes with using this kind of gas as it increases overall performance of the vehicle. This will often offset the extra cost of the premium gas.
Can You Switch Back to Regular Gas After Trying Premium?
If you own a car that requires regular octane gas and are considering trying premium gasoline - such as a Honda Accord - the simple answer is yes, you can switch back to regular gasoline.
If you've already tried premium fuel and would like to switch back to taking advantage of the cost savings from regular-grade gasoline, thoroughly emptying the tank first should do the trick before refilling with regular-grade gas. You may notice a slight decrease in fuel economy when switching back to regular gasoline, but it will not be a huge drop. So, if you have decided that premium gasoline is not the right choice for you and your Honda Accord, feel free to switch back to regular octane gas.
Contact Bryan Honda
If you're still wondering whether or not it's okay to use premium gas in your Honda Accord, the answer is simple: yes, you can. However, it is certainly not a necessity. After all, the Accord is manufactured to run on regular octane gas. However, if you would like to potentially increase the fuel economy on your Accord, trying out premium fuel is a good choice. If you have any more questions about which type of gas is best for your Honda Accord or need help with maintenance and repairs near the Fayetteville, North Carolina area, contact Bryan Honda. Our team of experts are ready and waiting to answer all of your questions so that you can keep your car running smoothly for years to come. Give us a call or stop by our dealership today!
