Most car manufacturers recommend using premium gas, especially for recently built cars. So, does a Volvo needs premium gas too?
A Volvo needs premium gas because of its advanced engines. For most advanced engines to perform optimally and last long, they require premium gas. However, this is not true for all Volvo models. Some Volvos can run on regular gas, while others require premium.
Premium gases are made with substances that allow your car to perform well and keep your engine strong. They also help keep your engine clean, give better fuel economy, and prevent the engine from knocking. These qualities help run a solid Volvo engine.
Premium gas contains a high percentage of octane, usually between 90 to 94. High octane levels make most advanced engines, like turbocharged gasoline engines, work to their fullest. Premium gas boosts the engine’s performance, while also preventing the engine from knocking.
Engine knocking is prevented because as it works, high-octane gas can be compressed and heated to a high temperature without exploding. This is unlike regular gas, which, when heated and compressed to a high-temperature, self-ignites. This invariably causes damage to the engine and its components.
Advantages of using high-octane gas
Premium gases also contain a substantial number of additives and detergents that keep your Volvo engine clean. A clean engine will also emit fewer harmful gases, which complies with the government laws on emission and makes the air in the environment safe to breathe.
High octane gas in turbocharged gasoline engines returns better fuel economy and extends an engine’s life. Both of which can save you money at the pump, as well as prevent repairs or the need to change batteries or their components too often.
Problems with using the wrong type of gas
Most Volvo cars, especially the recent models, come with a solid engine and need strong gas to operate. So, if the gas you use does not match the engine’s strength, you won’t get the best from your car. Not only will car performance reduce, but the engine’s lifespan may also shorten, which means spending more money.
It is worth noting that one might not see the adverse effects of not using premium gas for a turbocharged gasoline engine immediately. Some use cheaper gas, thinking it’s possible to reduce a car’s operating costs. But in the end, your engine or its components will bear the damage and you’ll realize that you have never really been saving anything.
Most Volvo cars are luxurious; as such, many assume that these quality cars will definitely need premium gas to function well. But not all really need it. However, Volvo cars with T4, T5, T6, and T8 engines definitely need premium gas. Despite this, not all of these engines require premium gas. Some are just recommended.
Manufacturers require that Volvo cars with T5, T6, and T8 engines use premium gas with a 91 or higher-octane rating. But if customers want better performance and fuel efficiency, they should stick to Aki 93. While Volvo recommends that the T4 engine utilizes gas with a 91-octane rating or higher, it can get by using regular gas with an 87-octane rating.
Detergents and additives in premium gases ensure a clean engine works to its optimal capacity. A clean engine gives good traction even when accelerating from a dead stop. In summary, the gas you should use will depend on the type of engine in your Volvo.
FAQ
Both gases are made without lead and are crude oil products that are also very flammable. But the notable difference is the level of octane, detergents, and additives present in them. Premium gases have an octane rating of 90 or higher.
On the other hand, regular gases have a lower octane rating, which is insufficient for advanced engines to prevent knocking. The number of additives and detergents that help clean bigger engines is not present in regular fuel.
Most manufacturers that require and recommend premium gases analyzed what it would do for an engine. They include engine performance, reliability, cleanness, fuel economy, and engine lifespan. If premium gas makes your engine perform well, using regular gas will limit performance slightly. This is also true for cleanness, reliability, and fuel economy.
Again, using regular gas instead of a premium can cause engine knocking. Since premium gas has a higher-octane level, it is more resistant to detonation than regular gas is. As the engine works, the pressure in the cylinder increases, resulting in a temperature rise.
With this temperature rise, the gas explodes inside the cylinder. It is this explosion that causes engine knocking. To avoid this, Volvo recommends using fuel that can resist this explosion, especially in high-performance Volvo cars. Simply put, using the wrong fuel results in less performance.
What is the difference between required and recommended gas?
If a manufacturer requires a premium gas for a particular engine, it means you must stick to it; otherwise, your engine will have issues. On the other hand, recommendations are made to improve the engine. That is, you can use either premium gas or regular gas.
While using the recommended gases makes your engine work better, not using it will not damage your engine. You only need to choose between a normal working engine and a better working engine. A good example is the Volvo XC40. Its engine will perform well on both regular and premium gases.
Another good illustration is Volvo cars with T5, T6, and T8 engines. These engines require premium gas with a 90 or higher-octane rating to function well. But if you want exceptional performance and better fuel mileage, then the Aki 93 is recommended.
Premium gases are more expensive than regular gas. So, some drivers switch to a regular gas to save a few cents at the pump. While some people feel buying premium fuel isn’t necessary to drive a car, some can’t afford it because of financial fluctuations.
So, they will need to choose between driving with regular gas or not driving at all. Although they may be aware of the dangers of not using the right fuel, they really cannot do much but buy the one they can afford.
Volvo cars that need regular fuel can also use premium gas, but it’s not necessary. The high octane in it can prevent an explosion in the engine and also give better fuel mileage and performance. The additives and detergents in them also help keep your engine running clean.
However, it’s not a must to use it, especially because premium gas is expensive. Using it once in a while is good for the engine. But you don’t have to stress your pocket doing it continuously. The regular fuel will works fine.