Transcript: Is Premium Gas Worth the Premium Price?
By Bankrate.com

In these days of soaring gas prices, you may be tempted to switch from premium to regular gas. A good way to save money, or something penny-wise but pound foolish? Bankrate.com reports...

Voice over 1: You don’t need a reporter to tell you what’s happening with gas prices. And the higher the octane the higher the price. So the temptation is there…should you switch to regular to save a few bucks?

Voice over 2: There’s no argument that if your engine is knocking, the octane you’re using isn’t high enough. Beyond that, there’s disagreement. Some experts say regular is fine for most cars. Some insist it isn’t.

Voice over 3: Mainstream advice, like you’ll get from the Federal Trade Commission and Petroleum Institute, say to follow the recommendation in your owner’s manual.

Voice over 4: But some consumers use premium when it isn’t called for. They just think it’s better. Well, according the Federal Trade Commission, “Using a higher octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit.” It won't make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner.

Voice over 5: So when you approach a pump, don’t think of gas as “regular,” “plus” or “super.” Think of it as A, B or C. If your car takes A, use A. B and C aren’t right for your car, and they’re a waste of money.

Voice over 6: So why do so many drivers think premium will improve their performance? That’s no mystery. The name alone implies it’s better, as does all the advertising at the pump. At least in the early 90s the FTC stopped allowing oil to run TV ads saying it’s better. Even so,

SOT: Is premium better than regular?

Standup: The word premium is a marketing term to make more expensive gas sound better. Premium gas isn’t better...it’s just different. Use it if you have to, but never if you don’t. For Bankrate.com, I'm Kristin Arnold.