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Premium is higher octane, typically 91-93. Regular gas is lower octane, usually 87 or 88. Putting low octane fuel in a car with a high-compression engine could cause the engine to knock or ping, which could cause major damage if it goes on for a long time.
No matter your model, BMW recommends using only premium-unleaded fuel. That’s not to say your BMW won’t run on lower-grade fuel, but premium-unleaded fuel will maintain its quality in the long run, letting you drive at peak performance consistently.
What happens if you put regular gas in a nice car?
Over time, using regular fuel against your car’s requirements can damage your vehicle. Prolonged use can cause knocking of the engine, which can in turn void the warranty of your car; especially if the car’s manual specifically warns against using regular grade fuel.
What BMW models require premium gas?
The fabled e39 and e46 cars from the early 2000s each featured 11.5 to 1 compression, which is some of the highest found in a street car. BMW recommends only using premium in these cars, as with all their cars, but it’s models like these where you’ll feel the effects most.
Can I put 89 gas in my BMW?
You can run with 89 with no issues, but the ECU will retard the spark timing to avoid detonation. You’ll lose some power and some fuel economy. If you want to approach the rated HP/torque/MPG, run with higher octane.
Can I put 93 gas in my BMW?
BMW requires 91-octane fuel at a minimum, with 93 recommended, so we did just that, switching between the common forms of premium gas depending on which state you’re in.
Can I put 93 in my BMW?
Do I need to use premium gasoline in my BMW?
The gas cap on my BMW X3 says recommended to use premium fuel. The owners manual says I can use 89 octane (mid) in needed. So you can use a lower octane fuel but the engine is designed high compression and should use the appropriate fuel that the engine is designed to use.
All BMW engines will run (at a decreased performance level) on lower grade fuel. However, BMW specifies that only premium grade fuel be used. The days of doing damage to a high performance engine by using lower grade fuel are long gone. The engine will not be damaged by using lower grade fuel.
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91. This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is: BMW X5: 87 BMW X6: 89. If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no affect on the engine life.
Does my Volkswagen require premium gas?
If your Volkswagen vehicle is powered by a traditional gasoline engine, and it was made before 2016, there’s a good chance that it requires premium fuel . If your gasoline-powered Volkswagen model was made after 2016, it can be filled up with regular fuel as you drive around Chicago and Evanston. Contact Us Regular or Premium Gas?