If there is one thing everyone knows as a fact, it’s that all cars (minus completely electric cars) need gas to run. Even as global efforts have tried to push for new forms of renewable energy, the majority of people are still driving gasoline fueled vehicles. With that in mind, most people have three to four options when it comes to choosing gas at the pump. But what are the differences between the two most popular; premium and regular. We have the answers for you!

First off, premium and regular gas both do the same thing – they provide thermal energy that your engine needs to power your car. And the funny thing is that they both provide the exact same amount of chemical energy! But the difference isn’t only confined to the price at the pump. In effect, here is the difference between premium and regular gas…

Unlike regular gas, premium gas has a higher octane rating. Many studies have been done about whether or not octane has any effect on your car. Some studies have found that high octane fuels can actually result in more mechanical power going into your vehicle, which is all dependent on the type of engine you have.

Premium gas also emits less pollution than regular gas due to the amount of octane inside of it. With octane ratings of 90 and higher, premium gas also supports a clean engine, meaning that you won’t see your “check engine” light turn on as often, or at all, really.

With that in mind, regular gas isn’t something bad at all. The real difference is only in the octane rating. While premium sports a rating of 90 ad higher, regular unleaded gas usually hovers around an 87 octane rating, meaning that the difference isn’t as significant as some might think.

Whatever gas you choose at the pump, it’s important to know these compound differences while comparing the prices.