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How do you know what gas your car needs?
How can I tell what kind of gas my car uses? I was given my dream car for my 55th birthday from my family. I’ve been driving my old car for 15 years so this was quite the surprise! I’m not sure what kind of fuel this new car uses.
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“What a lovely gesture from your family!
In your owner’s manual, you will find the minimum octane rating suitable for your new vehicle. For cars that require premium fuel, the manufacturer typically notes this near the gas cap or by the fuel gauge, as well.
If you accidentally put the
wrong fuel in your car
, know that it’s a common mistake and it’s unlikely anything serious will happen! Just don’t make it a habit—especially if your car requires premium fuel.While filling up a car with premium gas even though it does not require premium will not damage a vehicle, the alternative is not true. If you put regular fuel in a car that requires premium, you might run into some serious problems.
Regular fuel has a lower octane. So when it is used in a high-performance engine that requires higher octane to perform properly, the regular fuel will burn faster and cause mistimed combustion within the engine. For you, this might translate to a knocking or pinging sound.
Occasional engine knocking won’t do much damage to your car. But regular knocking will speed up wear and tear on the car’s engine. So if you hear a high-pitched sound or rattle, call a mechanic right away to get your car checked out.
But before you grab those shiny new keys, ensure your new ride is protected by great car insurance at a great price—the
Jerry
app can help! Jerry contacts your insurance company to get the details of your current coverage so you don’t have to scale a mountain of questions. You get all the best prices and coverage with none of the legwork.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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