Does Premium Gas Give More Horsepower?
by Alex Moyher
Premium, also known as 93 octane gasoline, is the most expensive gasoline at the pump. Premium gasoline does and does not give more horsepower, depending on the type of automotive engine it is used in.
High Performance Engines
High performance engines gain horsepower from the use of premium gasoline. Examples include vehicles of brands like Volvo and Mercedes or sport models of motorcycles. Such engines also run on lower grades of gasoline, but at the cost of horsepower and performance.
Non High Performance Engines
Non high performance engines do not gain horsepower from the use of premium gasoline. Examples include vehicles of brands like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler or "economy" class vehicles. Premium gasoline cleans the fuel system to a degree but does not add horsepower.
Discover Your Engine Type
Knowing your engine type is the key to whether it will receive more horsepower from premium gasoline. Consult the vehicle owner's manual to see what type of fuel it is designed to run on. If you no longer have the owner's manual or the information is not listed, consult the vehicle manufacturer.
References
Writer Bio
Alex Moyher has been writing professionally since 2008. He has writing expertise on topics of motorcycle safety and operation, gaming, consumer electronics, administrative office experience, college life and social networking, and has work published on eHow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs from the University of Georgia.
