Will Unleaded 88 Damage My Car? (Answered)

Unleaded 88 is not much different from unleaded 87. The only actual difference is the higher percentage of ethanol in the gasoline mixture. It will not damage a vehicle that regularly runs on 87 or 89. Although, if you use unleaded 91, you should not go down to any of the lower gas numbers like 89, 88, or 87.

Will unleaded 88 damage my car?

Whenever you go to a gas station, you’re used to seeing the numbers 87, 89, and 91, along with the diesel option. Because you know about these gasoline types, you feel confident picking the right type of gasoline for your vehicle.

Once you pick a gas type, most people stay with the same gas types throughout their vehicle’s life. Also, manufacturers advise you to not drop down to a lower gasoline grade if you regularly fill your vehicle’s tank with a higher graded gasoline,

But most people have never heard of unleaded 88. What does it mean and how is it different?

One small piece of info you should know about unleaded 88 is that it is perfectly safe for your vehicle. Although it was developed in the last couple of years, it is safe for all types of vehicles. Consider it as another unleaded option for your vehicle’s fueling needs.

If you accidentally purchase and fill your tank up with unleaded 88, you will not experience any issues with your vehicle

So what is unleaded 88? Unleaded 88 is a brand new gasoline mixture that was developed in recent years. It is different from unleaded 87 because it has more ethanol.

It has a higher octane rating than unleaded 87.

Unleaded 88 is 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. Unleaded 87 consists of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline.

Do you want more evidence about the safety of unleaded 88? Yes, that is fair. No one wants to put a substance in their vehicle that will speed up its deterioration.

Plus, you probably never heard of unleaded 88. You’re not sure what to make of it. Well, another fact to know about unleaded 88 is most cars made in the last 10 years can handle it.

You can also check your owner’s manual for advice on another 88. Most vehicle brands will have advice about unleaded 88 in the owner’s manual.

When searching through your vehicle’s manual, you need to know the minimum amount of octane required for that vehicle. Learn if your vehicle can perform optimally with gasoline that has a 15% ethanol mixture.

Since unleaded 87 only has 10% ethanol, you might notice some difference in your vehicle performance when using unleaded 88.

Because there is more ethanol in unleaded 88, you might not travel as far on a full tank of gas as if you used unleaded 87.

However, the mileage should only reduce by about 2%. If you see a 10% drop, then something is wrong with another part of your engine.

Unless it specifically states in your vehicle’s manual that you cannot use unleaded 88, all vehicles made half the year 2001 can use unleaded 88.

Vehicles, manufactured from 2002 to 2015, say that octane 87 is the best type of gasoline for the vehicle.

What to know about unleaded 88

Unlike octane 87, unleaded 88 is far more environmentally friendly.

Octane 88 burns cooler, so the engine will not be as hot.

As we stated above, you may see a slight decrease in your overall MPG. but the mpg should not decline more than 2%.

If you have a 22-gallon tank that gets 32 miles to the gallon, a regular tank of gas should allow you to drive 704 miles. But with octane 88 gas, you will only travel 689 miles.

If you have a gas-powered tool, like a lawn mower, do not use octane 88. This type of gas cannot sit in a tank for more than a month.

Only use unleaded 88 if you plan to drain the tank of whatever vehicle or till you’re using within the month.

Where to buy unleaded 88?

If you clicked on the title of this article because you’ve never heard of unleaded 88, you’re not alone. It is not a very common gasoline type across North America. Many states and gas station brands still do not carry unleaded 88.

Another name for unleaded 88 is E15, meaning ethanol 15.

When you find a gas station that has unleaded 88, you are in for a pleasant surprise. No matter what the price is of unleaded 87, unleaded 88 will be cheaper.

In fact, 88 is much cheaper than 87. It’s usually about 20 cents cheaper. So if you buy 10 gallons of unleaded 88, you could be saving up to $2.50.

Have a 25-gallon tank, then you could save up to $8. $8 might not be much, but in the grand scheme of paying for gas, every penny counts.

When you buy unleaded 88 or E15, it will be available through its own hose. The hose will have a nozzle that will be blue.

Will unleaded 88 damage my motorcycle or ATV?

Unleaded 88 is perfectly safe for cars and trucks and SUVs. However, we cannot say the same for motorcycles and ATVs.

We do not recommend using unleaded 88 for any vehicle that is not an automotive vehicle. If you have a motorcycle, do not feel your motorcycle’s tank at 88. It is better to stay with 87, 89, or 91 available at nearly every gas station.

Conclusion

Unleaded 88 is a new type of gasoline. Unleaded 88 can power any vehicle, including trucks, minivans, SUVs, hatchbacks, etc. Manufacturers say to look through your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see if your specific type of car cannot use 88.

However, you should never use unleaded 88 in your motorcycle or ATV. Unleaded 88 gasoline consists of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. In some cases, unleaded 88 goes by the name E15.

If you use gas-powered power tools, don’t switch to octane 88. Keep using unleaded 87 to power your tools.

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  • Eric Williams

    I'm the founder of Daily Car Tips. I wrote articles in the automotive industry for more than 10 years, published in USA and Europe. I love sharing my knowledge and insights with fellow enthusiasts. Join me on this journey as we explore the exciting world of cars together!