That's because the engines in performance cars can feature a high compression ratio - the difference in size of the combustion chamber between the cylinder's lowest and highest points. As a result, these engines will need a higher octane-rated fuel to work effectively.

What happens if you put regular gas in a premium car?

If you use regular gas in an engine that requires premium, your warranty may be voided. The most likely cause of this is if regular use of the fuel causes severe engine knock or pinging (premature ignition of the fuel, also known as detonation) that damages the pistons or other engine parts.

Do certain cars really need premium gas?

If your car doesn't ping using regular, then there's no reason to use premium. The anti-knock level is just fine for your engine. And today's advanced engine controls adjust the engine's timing and fuel mixture to compensate for differing octane levels to prevent pinging or knocking. Many cars only require regular gas.