Do I Need To Put Premium Gas In My Car

The age-old question is: What type of fuel should I put in my car, and why? In the case of the 2025 current model INFINITI vehicles, they do, in fact, need premium fuel of at least 91 octane. The reason is nuanced and requires a bit of a deep dive.  

The Basics of Engine Combustion 

Engines utilize fuel to create combustion, hence why they’re called internal combustion engines. The spark plugs provide ignition that burns gasoline throughout a cylinder in a controlled manner. Uncontrolled combustion, or spontaneous combustion, creates a knock that is bad for the engine. Modern INFINITI vehicles have knock sensors to help minimize the effects of bad or low-octane gas from developing long-term issues within the engine.  

How Does Fuel Get Its Rating? 

When it comes to fuel ratings, the minimum rating in the United States is 87 octane, with the highest being up to 100. However, most gas stations are capped at 91, 93, or 94, depending on where you are in the country. The mid-grade fuel rating is 89 or 90. Fuel is given a rating by testing the average between the Motor Octane Number (MON) and the Research Octane Number (RON), and given its final rating of the Anti-Knock Index (AKI). While we won’t go deep into the science of fuel testing, basically, the average of the two tests gives you a fuel stability number, which is then the rating of the fuel.  

Every INFINITI Model Needs Premium for A Reason 

Because of specific engine testing, INFINITI engineers have determined that each vehicle in the lineup—the QX50, QX55, QX60, and QX80—needs a minimum grade of 91 octane. This means that the engines have been designed to run best with a specific quality of fuel that is deemed most stable within the engine.  

Can You Get Away with A Lower Fuel Grade? 

However, if you do put in mid- or standard-grade fuel, the vehicle will most likely run just fine, thanks to modern technologies that help the engine adapt to different types of fuel. That being said, it doesn’t mean that it’s recommended that you do this all the time, as the engine could have its performance reduced, and you may see a rather noticeable drop in fuel economy. Doing this over time can lead to premature wear on various parts of the engine, leading to costly repairs.  

Test Drive a New INFINITI to Understand the Difference Premium Fuel Makes

To understand why a new INFINITI deserves premium fuel, come down and test drive the latest crossover and SUV models to appreciate how well engineered they are. The all-new QX80 is quickly becoming one of the best new SUVs on the market, with rave reviews from publications like Car and Driver and MotorTrend.  

Why Choose Dick Smith INFINITI of Columbia 

At Dick Smith INFINITI of Columbia, we value our customers and offer some of the best prices and services. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. Our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.