Does Acura Require Premium Gas in San Diego, CA?

2021 Acura RDX parked near a national park

For most Acura vehicles, premium gas is recommended but not required. Only one model–the high-performance Acura NSX–actually requires premium gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. Find out why you should use premium gas in your vehicle, and learn more about the differences between premium and regular gasoline with our team.

Which Acura Models Should Use Premium Gasoline in San Diego, CA?

The answer to the question, “Does Acura require premium gas?” could be yes, but only if you’re talking about the Acura NSX. On the other hand, the answer to the question “Do all Acura models require premium gas?” is certainly a resounding no.

Still, each of the following new models will reward the driver who’s willing to spend a little bit more on premium gas:

The same is true for the Acura RLX, but this model was discontinued at the end of model-year 2020. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that premium gas is recommended, even if you’re considering a pre-owned model for your drives in San Diego and Carlsbad.

What’s the Difference Between Premium Gas vs. Regular Gas in San Diego, CA?

Premium gas has an octane rating of 91 or higher, while regular gas generally has an octane rating of 87. There’s also ‘midrange’ gasoline, with an octane rating of 88, 89, or 90.

What is an octane rating, and why is it an important factor in vehicle performance? Here’s what you should know about premium vs. regular gas:

  • An octane rating measures the level of compression that fuel can undergo before igniting.
  • Generally speaking, compression–plus a spark from your spark plug–causes fuel to ignite, moving your cylinders and propelling you forward.
  • The higher the octane rating, the lower the likelihood of accidental ignition, also known as pre-ignition or engine knocking.

Why Use Premium Gas in San Diego, CA?

Here’s the bottom line: by limiting the likelihood of pre-ignition, premium gasoline lowers the risk that engine knocking poses to your vehicle’s long-term health. Especially in precision-crafted, high-performance vehicles, engine knocking can take a toll on sensitive components and increase your rate of wear and tear.

Premium gasoline is especially important to use in vehicles with turbocharged or supercharged engines. These engines utilize a higher compression ratio which, on its own, increases the risk of pre-ignition, especially if you’re using regular gas.

Schedule service if you’re concerned about the impact that engine knocking may have had on your vehicle.

Take Advantage of Acura Performance in San Diego

Drivers in the National City area can find a new Acura–and learn more about the benefits of premium gasoline–with the trusted team at Kearny Mesa Acura. Contact us today with any questions on your mind.


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