Why is Plus or Premium gas better than regular?

Some gasolines will have different detergents in them, but the main difference between 'plus' 'premium' and 'ultra mega' gasoline will be the octane rating. This refers to the ability of the fuel to avoid knock, and has nothing to do with the amount of energy in the fuel.

If a vehicle requests a certain octane rated fuel, using a lower rating (85 in a 87) can induce knock. Most modern cars will detect the slightest amount of knock or 'pinging', and adjust ignition timing and air-fuel ratios to eliminate the knock. This generally results in poorer performance.

If a vehicle requests a certain octane rated fuel, using a higher rating (91 in a 87) will do nothing. The car will run perfectly well, as it would using 87 octane; the only difference is that you've spent extra money.

A note-an octane rating doesn't refer to how much octane is in a fuel mix, but rather how the fuel compares in resisting knock to octane. It is possible to have octane ratings over 100.

Plus / premium has more octane, does not mean that your car will run better some due think this). Regular unleaded is all you'll ever need. If you hav the income to dispose then every ten gallons you buy regular, take the extra dollar and buy yourself a lottery ticket or a coke!!

Each state has minimum regulations for the octane

The octane rating of gasoline tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites. When gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it causes knocking in the engine. Knocking is not a good thing.

You really only nead Plus or Premium if it is recommended in your car's manual. Most cars recommend 87 octane, but the expensive cars, BMWs, Mercedes, recommend a higher octane. So, if you have enough money to buy one of those cars, you should have enough to pay the extra 10-20 cents per gallon.

octane rating , which is what controls pinging on higher compression performance engines. the additive package which consists on detergents and stabilizers. all of these require additional additive that cost more over regular fuel. you should only use the higher grade if your car requires it and most don't. it does not hurt to use it every now and then to help keep your fuel system clean. as for the lower octane rating in Colorado vs. Arizona, its due mainly to altitude, at higher altitudes the air has less oxygen and therefore the burn in the cylinders, for lack of a better explanation, is less intense and requires less octane.

higher octane = higher quality gas

It's only worth it if your car has a higher compression ratio (anything above 10.1). The state that have tighter emisions law will require a minimum of 87 octane while others with a more relaxed emissions law will use 85. When I tried 85 on my Honda Accord V6 it ran like crap.

All gasoline has a rating system, the US regulates this and I can say that premium fuel will burn cleaner less residue, and better for emissions than the lower grade.

Cost efective

How about a VW diesel that runs on veggie oil,

the car that runs on water (jay Leno has 2)

theres always electric cars (good for 200 mile)

I'd read your owners manual or ask a dealer.

Your car may even run on ethenol EGAS

Higher octane, but most cars use regular