Fuel blended with a higher anti-knock index to withstand extreme cylinder pressures and heat without igniting before the spark plug fires. Performance and forced-induction engines require this fuel to maximize ignition timing and boost without suffering catastrophic engine knock.
You need to run high-octane in that turbo build or it will pull timing the second you hit boost.
Running this fuel in a standard economy car designed for regular gas yields zero performance benefit and just wastes money.
Also heard as
- premium
Related terms
Anti-knock index
The standard numerical rating of a fuel's resistance to premature ignition.
Detonation
An uncontrolled secondary explosion in the combustion chamber that causes severe engine damage.
Knock
An abnormal and damaging combustion event where the air-fuel mixture self-ignites prematurely.
Premium
High-octane gasoline designed for high-performance or high-compression engines.
RON
Research Octane Number, a standard rating of a fuel's resistance to engine knocking.