"First, we should explain what the difference is between regular and premium gasoline. It all comes down to octane. Without getting into all of the complicated chemistry, you can think of the octane rating of a fuel as how much that fuel can withstand a vigorous compressing before it ignites, like diesel fuel. When fuel ignites in a gas motor not from the spark plug ignition, but from compression, that’s called
knock, and it can cause severe engine damage.
The higher compression engines tend to make more power and, because those pistons are squeezing that air/fuel mixture so fiercely, they are more susceptible to knock, which is why those engines prefer premium fuel.
Putting high-octane fuel in a lower-compression engine will have no effect other than separating you from your money. It won’t make your car run any better or worse, so if you give your non-premium requiring car premium fuel as a sort of treat, you’re just giving it a big fat placebo."
Easier to quote Jason Torchinsky from his article.
I have two cars that use a higher octane gas and will knock if I don't use it. That is true. I've heard it.
I have to that don't need it and I don't use the higher octane gas.
Just common sense.