Whether you’re looking for a pre-owned BMW vehicle for sale or you have your eye on a new BMW automobile, one thing you should consider is the type of gas the car needs to operate smoothly. A smart way to figure this out is to ask the salesperson who’s helping you find a BMW car.
You can also determine the kind of gas a BMW model uses by looking through its owner’s manual. Of course, you’re always welcome to visit our BMW service center near Lynnfield, MA to talk to one of our factory-trained technicians about the gas you should put into your automobile.
In general, one type of gas is differentiated from another by its octane rating. While some gas stations may have as many as five different octane ratings available, most have three, regular, mid-grade, and premium. Regular gas typically has an octane rating that’s around 87 while mid-grade fuel has a rating that’s about 89. The octane rating for premium gas is normally at or between 91 and 93.
Depending on where you fill up, mid-grade gas may be referred to as “plus” or “special” and premium fuel might be identified as “super.” If you’re not sure what type of fuel is which, you can look at the octane rating to figure it out.
An octane rating measures the ability of gas to resist knocking in the engine. Gas with a higher octane rating has a corresponding higher resistance to engine knocking. While that’s the case, many of today’s engine control systems are made to compensate for low octane gas and prevent knocking.
Even still, it’s important to use premium fuel if your vehicle requires it. If you don’t, it can eventually reduce your engine’s efficiency and cause heavy knocking, which can damage your engine.
As BMW dealers in MA, we encourage you to contact us if you have questions about the type of gas you should be using. Give us call, contact us online or stop by BMW of Peabody today.
