Why 91+ Octane Fuel is Required for BMWs
by Mechanics Direct June 27, 2020It is important to remember that when you purchase a BMW, you are buying a vehicle of superior quality. Your BMW is packed with innovative features and technologies that need to be treated with care if you want to retain the high performance levels of your BMW. This starts with the type of gas that you use.
BMW recommends that their drivers only use high-octane fuel, such as 91+ octane. This will help ensure you BMW performs at its best, though, as with any fuel option, there are some pros and cons to 91+ octane fuel.
Avoid Using Low Quality Fuel
It is understandable to try to save money where you can, but when it comes to your BMW and the fuel you use, you shouldn’t try to scrimp. BMWs need to be fueled with high-octane fuel. While there’s nothing stopping you using whatever type of gas you want, you’ll need to be prepared for the consequences if you do. Standard fuel will impact the function of your entire engine system and will greatly reduce your BMW’s performance levels. In fact, high-performance gasoline doesn’t cost as much as you think. It is estimated that the use of high-performance fuel costs BMW drivers an extra $150 a year, which is less than 3 bucks a week. That is far less than the price you will pay for damage done to your BMW’s engine by not using the recommended fuel.
BMW’s are unique because they have high-compression engines which, while giving elevated power and performance, do produce a lot of heat. Using 91+ octane fuel gives your BMW a better chance of properly regulating engine temperatures, helping the engine to stay within a safe temperature range and reducing the risk of overheating.
Low quality fuel isn’t able to provide the same level of care, meaning that the integral parts of your engine are at risk from heat damage. Cheap gasoline is also likely to be devoid of conditioners and beneficial additives, which help retain good engine function. They may even be higher in contaminants, and over time, these can clog your filters and settle throughout your BMW’s engine system.
Why using 91+ Octane Fuel is Good for your BMW
Fuel prices are always fluctuating and are steadily on the rise. In a tough economic climate, it can be hard to condone spending extra cents on high-performance gasoline. However, it is important to remember that the right fuel, in this case 91+ octane fuel, has some excellent benefits for your car:
Increased Gas Mileage
The fuel designed specifically for use in BMW’s high-compression engines is 91+ octane fuel. This means that you get more miles to the gallon, because it optimizes engine function, meaning that little fuel is wasted, allowing you to go further on a single tank of gas.
Engine Optimization
As we’ve hinted several times, 91+ octane fuel gives your BMW’s engine the power that it needs and deserves. When low-quality or sub-par fuel is used, power levels will drop sharply and acceleration will feel weak. This is largely because of the higher-than-average engine temperatures your BMW’s engine will suffer. Add any additional stress, such as towing or uphill driving, and you could be looking at a greatly-increased risk of overheating, not to mention rapid and accelerated part wear.
Cleaning Agent
You may not realize that 91+ octane fuel is packed with great add-ins that greatly benefit your engine. This fuel features a cleaning agent which is specifically designed to prevent the buildup of carbon inside your engine. The cleaning agent will even help remove existing carbon it finds in your engine system too. This can mean your engine works at peak performance for an extended period of time. It can help you avoid the need for repairs that a dirty engine can cause.
Mechanics Direct
At Mechanics Direct, we service BMW’s of the North Chelmsford, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tyngsborough, Westford, and Lowell, MA communities. We can tell when 91+ octane fuel is used in the BMWs we see in our shop. We will always be up front and honest when we recommend it to our customers. While less reputable auto service centers may not inform their customers of how much money can be saved in the long run through the use of high-performance fuel, we pride ourselves on our honesty and informing customers of ways to improve their driving and car-owning experience. While we’re always here to help, we want our drivers to see as little of us as possible, and if there is a way to avoid part failure, we’ll always let you know. Call us today to set up an appointment or to speak to our technicians.