With gas prices today as high as they are, people are looking to cut corners to save at the pump. While choosing a lower grade of fuel might help to reduce costs in the short run, a University of Missouri-Columbia professor says that it sacrifices engine performance and could have adverse effects on the life of the engine. Premature ignition in the engine, also known as knocking, occurs when the engine isn't running properly. The way to minimize this problem is to raise the octane level of the gasoline, said Bob Tzou, an MU professor of mechanical engineering .
Octane helps the engine resist premature ignition.
The higher the octane level in the gas, the better. Contaminants in the engine often result from premature ignition, leading to an increase in chemical residues. Over time, this incomplete combustion can have adverse effects on the life and performance of the engine, costing a car owner much more in repairs. This is particularly the case if you want to keep your car for a long time. Fuel your tanks by high-octane gas if the engine is working hard.