Regan Brown
Mid-grade fuel is a mysterious third choice that sits between regular and premium gasoline options at the pump. It is usually rated at 89 octane and branded Silver or Plus by some retailers. While mid-grade fuel is marketed as a way to coax a little more power from your car or make it last longer, using a higher octane fuel than your car calls for won't increase its power or efficiency. In fact, very few cars are designed to use mid-grade gas, and it exists mostly to coax unknowing consumers into spending more on gas. The only new vehicles that are recommended to run on mid-grade fuel are Stellantis vehicles, including some Ram trucks, some V8 Chargers, Challengers, and 300s, some Durangos, and some Jeeps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Octane rating | 87-90 |
| Other names | Midgrade, Silver, Plus |
| Suitable for | Fiat Chrysler's Hemi 5.7-liter V-8, Stellantis vehicles (some Ram trucks, some V8 Chargers, Challengers, 300s, some Durangos and some Jeeps) |
| Not suitable for | Electric vehicles, boats, or power equipment |
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What You'll Learn
- Mid-grade fuel is a blend of regular and premium gasoline
- Only a few cars are designed to use mid-grade fuel
- Using a higher octane fuel than required won't increase a car's power or efficiency
- Mid-grade fuel is usually rated at 89 octane
- Mid-grade fuel accounts for about seven per cent of all gasoline sales
Mid-grade fuel is a blend of regular and premium gasoline
When you pull up to a gas station to fill up, you will typically see three types of gasoline: regular, mid-grade, and premium. Regular-grade gasoline is the most common type of fuel and is suitable for most new-car engines. It typically has an octane rating of 87, although this can be lower at higher altitudes and in Mexico. Premium gasoline, on the other hand, has a higher octane rating, typically between 91 and 94, and is recommended or required for optimal engine performance in luxury or high-performance vehicles.
Mid-grade fuel, also known as "Silver" or "Plus" by some retailers, is a blend of regular and premium gasoline. It usually has an octane rating of 89, which falls between the ratings of regular and premium fuel. While mid-grade fuel is not as commonly used as regular or premium, it is suitable for some vehicles that require an octane rating higher than 87 but lower than 91.
The type of fuel recommended for a vehicle depends on its engine specifications. High-performance cars with high-compression ratios or turbochargers typically require premium gasoline, as it can help improve fuel efficiency and enhance performance. On the other hand, most standard vehicles are designed to run on regular-grade gasoline, and using higher-octane fuel offers little to no benefit in terms of performance or efficiency.
It is important to refer to the vehicle's owner's manual to determine the recommended fuel type. Using a higher-octane fuel than recommended may not provide any additional benefits and could be a waste of money. Similarly, using a lower-octane fuel than recommended may reduce performance and potentially cause damage to the engine over time.
In rare cases, using a lower-than-recommended octane fuel may void the vehicle's warranty, so it is essential to exercise caution when choosing a fuel type. If a vehicle's engine suffers from carbon buildup, a small jump in octane from regular to mid-grade fuel may not be sufficient to address the issue, and a switch to premium fuel may be necessary.
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Only a few cars are designed to use mid-grade fuel
The existence of mid-grade fuel at gas stations is a mystery to many car owners. After all, most automakers recommend either regular or premium fuel. So, why does mid-grade fuel exist?
It turns out that very few cars are designed to use mid-grade fuel. In fact, according to CNET, mid-grade fuel is mostly a relic from the days of leaded gasoline. During the transition from leaded to unleaded gasoline, most gas stations offered regular leaded gasoline, regular unleaded gasoline, and premium unleaded gasoline. Once gas stations stopped offering toxic leaded gasoline, they were left with an extra button on their pumps. To utilise this button, companies started mixing premium and regular unleaded gasoline to produce a mid-grade option.
This was done in anticipation of automakers producing cars intended to run on mid-grade gasoline. However, most automakers never ended up doing so. As a result, most refiners today only make regular and premium fuel, which is what is typically stocked underground at gas stations. When you select the mid-grade option at the pump, you are actually getting a cocktail of the two fuels, "splash-blended" as you pump.
According to FuelEconomy.gov, the only new vehicles that are recommended to run on mid-grade fuel are Stellantis vehicles, including some Ram trucks, some V8 Chargers, Challengers, and 300s, some Durangos, and some Jeeps. Additionally, Fiat Chrysler recommends 89-octane mid-grade fuel for its Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 engine. However, it is important to note that using a higher octane fuel than your car calls for will not increase its power or efficiency. In fact, if your vehicle is not designed to run on higher octane fuels, filling it with a higher octane fuel will not result in more power or economy since the grade of fuel does not impact the engine's programming.
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Using a higher octane fuel than required won't increase a car's power or efficiency
Using a higher octane fuel than required will not increase a car's power or efficiency. The octane rating of fuel is a measure of its resistance to detonation. The higher the octane rating, the greater the fuel's resistance to knocking or pinging during combustion. Knocking or pinging occurs when the air-fuel mixture detonates prematurely.
While it is true that some engines can gain performance by using a specific fuel, there are variables at play, such as the engine's compression ratio and the presence of carbon buildup. For example, a higher-octane fuel can alleviate symptoms of carbon buildup in older cars, which can cause pre-ignition and engine knocking. However, in most cases, using a higher octane fuel than what is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer offers no benefit and can be a waste of money.
It is important to consult the owner's manual to understand the exact octane requirements of your vehicle. The manual will also specify whether your vehicle is designed to operate on ethanol-blended fuel, which should be used with caution.
In some cases, a vehicle may be tuned to run on a specific octane rating, and using a higher octane fuel will not result in increased performance or power. For example, the Honda CR-V, BMW M5, Ford F-150, and Dodge Charger were tested with higher octane fuel than the manufacturer's requirement, and the results showed minimal to no improvement in acceleration or fuel economy.
Furthermore, a higher octane number has a faster burn rate and can expel energy faster. This means that a lower octane fuel can actually result in increased power and efficiency in certain engines. Ultimately, it is essential to follow the recommendations provided by the vehicle manufacturer to ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
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Mid-grade fuel is usually rated at 89 octane
Octane ratings are based on the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust (auto-ignite) in a testing engine. The higher the octane number, the more stable the fuel. In the United States, the three main grades of gasoline based on octane level are Regular (87 octane), Midgrade (89-90 octane), and Premium (91-94 octane).
While most car engines can run on regular fuel, some vehicles may require or recommend the use of mid-grade or premium fuel for optimal performance. For example, Fiat Chrysler's Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 engine recommends the use of 89-octane mid-grade fuel.
It is important to consult the owner's manual to determine the exact octane requirements of your vehicle. Using a lower-than-recommended octane fuel may void your warranty, and using a higher-than-necessary octane fuel may result in unnecessary costs without any significant performance benefits.
Additionally, the cost of gasoline varies between grades, with mid-grade fuel costing more than regular unleaded and premium gasoline being the most expensive option.
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Mid-grade fuel accounts for about seven per cent of all gasoline sales
Mid-grade fuel, also known as "Silver" or "Plus", is usually rated at 89 octane. It is situated between the regular and premium gasoline options on the fuel pump. While regular-grade gasoline is suitable for most standard vehicles and is the most commonly used, mid-grade fuel is designed for vehicles that require a slightly higher octane rating than regular fuel but not premium. Premium fuel, with its higher octane rating, is typically recommended or required for optimal engine performance in luxury or high-performance models.
According to an industry estimate, mid-grade fuel accounts for about seven per cent of all gasoline sales. This suggests that around five or six per cent of gasoline sales may be unnecessarily upcharged, as consumers purchase mid-grade fuel believing it to be of higher quality. In reality, using a higher octane fuel than recommended for your vehicle will not increase its power or efficiency. In fact, it is recommended to follow the vehicle manufacturer's fuel recommendations, as using a lower octane than designed may harm the vehicle's long-term durability.
The existence of mid-grade fuel can be attributed to the transition from leaded to unleaded gasoline. During this transition, most gas stations offered regular leaded gasoline, regular unleaded gasoline, and premium unleaded gasoline. Once the toxic leaded gasoline was no longer available, the pumps still had an extra button, leading companies to start mixing premium and regular unleaded gasoline to produce a mid-grade option. Today, very few cars are designed to use mid-grade gas, and it is mostly a result of blending regular and premium fuels at the pump.
According to FuelEconomy.gov, the only new vehicles that are recommended to run on mid-grade fuel are Stellantis vehicles, including some Ram trucks, some V8 Chargers, Challengers, and 300s, some Durangos, and some Jeeps. Additionally, Fiat Chrysler recommends 89-octane mid-grade fuel for its Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 engine. However, it is always best to consult the owner's manual or the label on the gas door to determine the exact octane requirements of your vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
Mid-grade fuel is a type of gasoline that has an octane rating of 89. It is situated between regular and premium gasoline options on the fuel pump.
Very few cars are designed to use mid-grade fuel. Stellantis vehicles, including some Ram trucks, some V8 Chargers, Challengers, 300s, some Durangos, and some Jeeps, are recommended to run on mid-grade fuel. Fiat Chrysler's Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 engine recommends 89-octane fuel.
Regular-grade gasoline has an octane rating of 87, which meets the needs of most new-car engines. Premium fuel has a higher octane rating of 91-93 and is recommended for luxury or high-performance models. Mid-grade fuel is a mix of regular and premium fuel and has an octane rating of 89.
Using a higher octane fuel than your car requires will not increase its power or efficiency. Mid-grade fuel accounts for about 7% of all gasoline sales, with most consumers assuming that the more expensive gasoline is better for their car. However, unless your car is designed to run on higher octane fuels, filling it with higher octane fuel will not result in more power or economy.
You can consult your vehicle's owner's manual to determine the required octane rating for your car. The manual will specify the optimal fuel type for your vehicle, and there may also be a label on your gas door.
