You have a lot of options in front of you when you pull up to the gas pump. Most passenger cars use Unleaded 87, but what are the other pumps for?
The numbers indicate the octane rating. It doesn’t have a lot to do with the percentage; with 87, it just a little lower than 88. Will an unleaded 88 hurt your car rated for 87?
In this guide I discuss the basics of unleaded 88 gas and I tell you what cars use it. I also cover the differences between 87 and 88.
Finally, I provide you with the pros and cons of using 88 fuel. At the end of the guide, some of the most asked unleaded 88 questions are answered, so you will have the information you may want!
Is Unleaded 88 Safe For My Car?
For the majority of cars on the road that utilize octane 87, unleaded 88 would not be harmful and will not do any damage to your car.
It is designed for use in most gas engines manufactured from 2001 forward, and is also used in flex-fuel vehicles. But in any event, you should always check the owner’s manual for any new fuel.
Now that you know it is safe for most vehicles, let’s look at unleaded 88 gas in-depth and look at what cars it is designed for.
What is Unleaded 88 Gas?
The 88 unleaded gas is also called E15. The fuel is named E15 because gas is 85% gas, plus 15% octane.
Unleaded 88 is created the same way that 87 is at the refinery. The only difference is in the percentage of octane. The higher octane helps with the cleaner burning and more power from the engine.
Unleaded 88 is often cheaper than 87 when available. Why is this fuel cheaper? The government provides some ethanol subsidies, allowing the price to be lower.
The higher the ethanol number in the fuel, the more space available for a price lowered. Additionally, ethanol is cheaper to produce than gas and the more that is factored into the equation, the cheaper it will be.
What Cars Use Unleaded 88 Fuel?
The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) sets any rules for octane and ethanol nationally.
According to their information, all vehicles manufactured in model year 2001 and beyond can utilize both E15 and unleaded 88. Flexible-fuel vehicles can also utilize an 88 octane.
The EPA has already undertaken some extensive testing for compatibility with 88 unleaded (with no stated issues – mainstream vehicle manufacturers are using 88 unleaded to satisfy supply issues), but it is always wise to pay attention to your specific car manufacturer.
By reviewing through your owner’s manual, you may discover some specific stipulations that would void this general guidance. In the case of certain luxury and premium brands, only mid-grade and high-grade fuels will contribute to performance.
What is the Difference between Unleaded 87 and Unleaded 88?
#1. Ethanol Rating.
The biggest difference between the two fuels is the ethanol rating. Unleaded 87 fuel is otherwise known as E10 because it contains 10% ethanol.
On the other hand, 88 unleaded is called E15. So, you know that it has a little more ethanol 15% to be exact. Other than that, they both are mixtures of regular unleaded fuel with ethanol.
#2. Emissions.
With the increased ethanol ratio, the engine should burn a little cleaner. That provides a small increase in power giving a slight performance gain.
More ethanol can also mean lower emissions. While using 88 unleaded you are emitting lower harmful gases into the environment which can improve air quality.
#3. Cost.
At the pump you may see a slight difference in price between unleaded 87 and 88. If available in your area, the 88 octanes should be a little cheaper.
The EPA can provide subsidies because of the higher ethanol rating. Therefore, savings get passed to the customer. Doesn’t everyone want to save a little more money?
Unleaded 88 Pros
#1. Better for the Environment.
Ethanol ratings guarantee that vehicles will emit far less pollution. The higher the ethanol rating, the better you can feel about what is being emitted.
Lower emissions will cause less harm to the environment around you. It would be worth it even if 88 was a bit more expensive because of this benefit, but thankfully, the price is also an additional selling point.
#2. Cheaper.
The EPA is doing their part to make sure that all Americans are doing their part to help fix climate change. This is why there is an additional discount on unleaded 88 fuel.
When you stop at the pump, you will likely pay less for 88 unleaded instead of 87. You will not only pay less additionally the fuel economy I will mention next will help make up for this financially.
#3. Better Performance.
Because 88 unleaded will burn cleaner, you should see improved fuel economy. Additionally the cleaner burn may have a small performance boost.
Neither of these benefits will be overly dramatic and thus could be harder to notice. Nonetheless, every little bit helps!
Unleaded 88 Cons
#1. Limited Availability
Unleaded 88 is not available at every gas station. It will never be as common as unleaded 87.
Since there are still no gas stations widely carrying it, Unleaded 88 will be harder to locate before more infrastructure is created to support it. That said, Unleaded 88 is available at more and more stations across the country, so keep your eyes out for it.
#2. Not Compatible with Older Vehicles
The EPA indicates that unleaded 88 is compatible with most vehicles manufactured after 2001. If you have a car older than that, it is telling you that you probably cannot use it.
Damage can occur if you put 88 octane in older vehicles; also, there are many premium or luxury vehicles that do not accept 88 octane, even though they may be newer vehicles.
FAQs.
Q: Is Unleaded 88 going to hurt my car or me?
No. Unleaded 88 is designed to be used in most gas engines that were manufactured (built) starting in 2001. Cars before this date were designed to operate made from gasoline that contained no more than 10% ethanol. If your car was manufactured after this date, you will not hurt your car operating it on Unleaded 88, though you should always check your owner’s manual to be absolutely sure.
It is not just the EPA that recommends this fuel to automotive users. Mechanics, automakers, and NASCAR mechanics, also prefer to use this fuel.
Q: What Cars Can Use 88 Gas?
This EPA stated Unleaded 88 can be safely used in most model year 2001 and newer vehicles, but it is also compatible with flex-fuel vehicles.
You should always reference your Owner’s Manual for the manufacturer’s fuel recommendations. Rarely, select luxury or premium vehicles may not use 88 unleaded gas, but require mid-range or high-range octane fuels.
Q: What is better – 87 vs 88 gas?
Both Unleaded 87 and Unleaded 88 have the same regular grade gas properties Classes. Therefore there is no substantive difference.
If your vehicle accepts Unleaded 88 gas and you refuel with it, you could expect a lower cost and a better fuel economy return. Also, Unleaded 88 gas is less harmful to the environment, which is why many people are switching to it.
Q: What happens if I put 88 instead of 87 gas into my car?
There are no negative consequences using 88 unleaded gas versus 87 if your vehicle can use it.
The only difference between the two unleaded fuels is the ethanol rating, 88 unleaded is composed of 15% ethanol and 10% ethanol is the 87. The additional ethanol rating make it burn cleaner and therefore pollutes less.
Q: Why is 88 unleaded cheaper?
The higher the ethanol rating, the lower the fuel price. Ethanol is cheaper than unleaded fuel and there are subsidies to reduce the price of 88 even further.
If you have access to 88 unleaded gas in your area you could save money and likely gain savings at the pump as well as better fuel economy.
You will continue to see more choices at the pump fuel alternatives as technology is heading toward tomorrow’s fuel use that is better for the environment.
One of your newest options is to choice (unleaded 88) Unleaded 88. It could add confusion to your fueling experience, so even if you’ve never seen Unleaded 88 gas at your local gas station(s), it will probably be offered soon.
If you drive a vehicle manufactured after 2001, you could probably put Unleaded 88 (also called E15) in your tank if you wish. Most flex-fuel vehicles can use E15 (unleaded 88). Just check your owner’s manual if you’re uncertain.
With so many benefits to using 88 unleaded gas, so why not look into it. Perhaps your simple change could ignite when you fuel up and help save planet earth and birthplace air we breathe. These are important matters of being and doing the right thing.