No! Premium gasoline does not turn your minivan into a race car.
What is the Octane?
Have you ever wondered what these three numbers - 95, 97 and 100 - actually mean? Those numbers represent the rating of something called octane, which is the measure of how much compression a fuel can withstand before combustion or more commonly referred to as "resist knock".
This is what the four-stroke cycle actually looks like, which powers the vast majority of internal combustion engines (ICEs) on the road. But you DON'T need to be a mechanic to understand octane. All you need to know is that during step 3, the air/fuel mixture is ignited by the car's spark plug, and this is where the octane rating put into use.
Coming back to the numbers, an octane rating of 97 can handle more heat and pressure before combusting. In contrast, using a lower octane rating may cause premature combustion which may damage the engine from pre-ignition or 'knocking'.
Should I choose higher octane fuel?
The safest way, goes without saying, is to follow the owner’s manual and choose the recommended octane level for your vehicle. But since many will fall under the impression that pricer things denote higher quality, we will set the record straight by telling you what the RON rating really means in the real world.
Regular gasoline is cheaper than premium gasoline. That's why many consumers may go for a lower octane rating to save a few Ringgits but they might regret it in the long run.
All engines are designed to run on a specific minimum octane. When filling the tank, it is best for you to select the closest number. If your car is designed for a minimum of 98 octanes, choosing RON95 may not be optimal, which may cause engine knocking.
It is important to understand that regular or low octane rating does not equal to inferior quality, although premium gasoline does have a better tune to it.
One of the most common misconceptions about fuel is that high-octane gasoline adds extra horsepower to your car. Although using a lower octane fuel can damage the engine and also the emissions control system overtimes, using a higher octane rating may not necessarily benefit your car.
The fact is, higher octane fuel may improve performance and fuel efficiency as well as reduce Co2 emissions by a few per cent under extensive heavy loads, especially in hot weather. High-powered engines operate at higher compression ratios, which is why cars with more powerful engines normally require higher octane ratings. However, under regular commute or normal driving conditions, you will get little to no benefit.
Conclusion
If you hear metallic sounds coming from the engine, then you may be using the wrong fuel. Selecting the right number may save you from spending extra for premium fuel which doesn't benefit your engine. But on the opposite, selecting a higher RON rating for your high-compression engine may also save yourself a trip to the dealership stores.
In short, as long as you choose the minimum recommended RON rating required for your engine, you have nothing to worry about.