Gas Prices: Could switching the blend of gas you get hurt your car?

DAYTON — As record-breaking gas prices remain at the pump, some people wonder if using regular fuel in cars that require premium could help them save a few bucks.

News Center 7 Dontre Drexelius spoke with Rob Stidham, manager at Grismer Tire and Auto Service, about how the fuel switch could affect your vehicle.

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Stidham told us using regular or unleaded fuel in a vehicle that requires premium fuel could cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

“If you have a vehicle that has, it’s a high-performance vehicle you’re running a V8 where it calls for a premium gasoline, you should run a premium gasoline. The manufacturer set that vehicle up to run a higher octane, is going to perform better, get better gas mileage. If you use unleaded in a vehicle, it’s calling for a high performance such as you use a non-unleaded, but if you say an 89 octane, it calls for 93 you can get spark knock, you get less fuel economy,” Stidham said.

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Others may have also seen another blend of gas known as E85 gas, which can appear to be a cheaper option at times.

However, using this fuel in a car that doesn’t require it could end up costing you.

Stidham pointed out that using E85 gas could cause long-term effects.

“If you put ethanol or a gas station that uses ethanol if you put that in your vehicle, and your car does not call for an 85 or even if it’s not listed as the 85 and a gas station use of ethanol, ethanol is made of corn. Okay, it’s naturally hygroscopic which simply means it maintains moisture which will cause the fuel to separate okay, that can damage metal it can damage seals over time it damages catalytic converters. It gets less fuel economy, it causes corrosion,” Stidham said.

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