Fuel grade comparison
Premium vs regular fuel
Compare regular unleaded, premium 95, and premium 98 fuel. Learn when premium is required, when it may help, and when regular is enough.
Reviewed by Petrol Price Near Me Editorial - May 2026
What premium fuel means
Premium petrol usually refers to higher-octane grades such as 95 RON or 98 RON. Regular unleaded is typically 91 RON. Octane measures resistance to knocking, not fuel cleanliness or energy content by itself.
The right fuel is the minimum grade required by your vehicle manufacturer. If your fuel flap or manual requires 95 or 98, use that grade.
When premium is worth it
Premium is worth it when your vehicle requires it or can genuinely adjust performance for higher octane. Some performance or turbocharged engines are designed around premium fuel.
If your car only requires regular unleaded, premium may not deliver enough economy or performance gain to justify the price gap.
How to compare the cost
Compare cents per kilometre, not only cents per litre. If premium costs materially more and does not reduce fuel use enough, regular may be the better financial choice for vehicles that allow it.
Use live fuel type pages to compare the current spread between grades before deciding.
Quick answers
Can I use 91 instead of 95?
Only if your vehicle manufacturer permits it. If the vehicle requires 95, use 95 or higher.
Does premium petrol clean my engine?
Some premium fuels include additive packages, but octane itself is not a cleaning measure. Follow your vehicle requirements first.