What Happens If You Put 87 Octane in a 93 Octane Car?

Uh-oh... Did I Just Wreck My Engine?

Okay, first off—don’t panic. If you accidentally filled your 93-octane-required car with 87, you’re not alone. It happened to my buddy Josh last summer on a road trip. We were low on gas, middle of nowhere, and the only pump available had plain ol’ 87. He looked at me like, “Will my engine explode?” Spoiler: it didn’t. But there’s nuance.

Let’s unpack what really happens—and what could happen—if you make this little fueling faux pas.

Octane Ratings: What Do They Actually Mean?

87 vs. 93 isn’t just a number game

Octane rating measures a fuel's resistance to knocking (that nasty pre-detonation inside the engine). Higher-performance engines—like the ones in sports cars, luxury sedans, or turbocharged beasts—need higher octane because they operate under higher pressure and temperature.

• 87 octane: Regular. Fine for most economy cars.

• 93 octane: Premium. Meant for high-compression engines.

It’s not about more power. It’s about protecting your engine from misfiring or knocking under stress.

Short-Term Impact: Will My Car Survive?

In most cases… yes, but it’s not ideal

If you accidentally put 87 into a car that requires 93 once or twice, here’s what might happen:

• Engine knocking: A rattling or pinging sound when accelerating.

• Reduced performance: Sluggish response, especially under heavy load.

• Lower fuel economy: Your engine compensates, but it’s less efficient.

Modern cars with engine knock sensors (most built after 2000-ish) will automatically adjust timing to avoid damage. That’s what saved Josh’s rental car, actually—his BMW just toned itself down.

But if you consistently use lower octane than required? That’s when the long-term damage can creep in.

Long-Term Consequences: Don’t Push Your Luck

Repeated use of the wrong fuel? Bad idea

Over time, using 87 in a 93-required vehicle can lead to:

• Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber

• Engine knocking that overwhelms your knock sensor

• Damage to pistons, valves, and spark plugs

• Reduced engine life and possible expensive repairs

Not to be dramatic, but if your engine starts knocking regularly... you might be shopping for a new one. I met a mechanic in Ohio once who showed me a piston that literally had a hole melted through it. Guess what caused it? You got it—constant detonation from low-octane fuel.

What Should You Do If You’ve Already Done It?

Don’t cry over spilled (wrong) gas

• Drive calmly: Keep RPMs low and avoid aggressive acceleration.

• Refuel with 93 as soon as you can: The higher-octane stuff will dilute the 87.

• Consider an octane booster if you’re really stuck or heading to a mountain pass.

• Listen to your car: If it starts acting weird, get it checked. Early.

And Josh? We topped off with premium at the next stop. He drove like a grandma for 80 miles, and the car didn’t complain once.

So... Can You Use 87 in a 93 Car?

Final answer: you can, but you shouldn’t

• Once in a while? Probably fine. Modern cars are smart.

• Regularly? Nope. That’s asking for trouble (and repairs you can't afford).

If the manufacturer says “premium required,” they mean it. Not “recommended”—required.

But hey, if it ever happens to you by mistake, just breathe. You’re not doomed. Just make it a one-time slip-up and not a habit.

One Last Thing...

A few years ago, I thought saving 20 cents per gallon was worth it. My old Audi didn’t agree. Ended up with a misfire and a hefty bill. Since then? I always pay for the good stuff. Because nothing’s more expensive than cheaping out on fuel—trust me.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.