The Volvo S60 cars have dynamic performance and are perfectly designed to swing through corners without much effort from your side. It has amazing features like a moon roof and an 11.6 cubic feet trunk. It has advanced safety features and offers the best comfort for you and your family or friends. But most importantly, it has good fuel-sipping efficiency.
One such inquiry, frequently on the minds of owners and potential buyers, concerns its fuel preference.
Does the Volvo S60, with its potent blend of turbocharged and supercharged engines, require premium gas?
So, in short: doe Volvo S60 need premium gas?
Volvo S60 requires premium fuel with 91 octanes or higher for best performance, although it can use the standard unleaded 87 octane gas. There are very many advantages and disadvantages of using premium gas over regular gasoline. Each impacts the Volvo S60 differently.
In this article, we will inform you about everything you need to know about premium gas for your Volvo S60.
Table of Contents
What is Premium Gasoline?
Premium gas is a higher-octane gasoline mostly used in advanced engine performance. A high octane rating means the fuel is well-balanced and stabilized against combustion. High combustion can lead to vehicle damage.
The rating of premium gasoline is between 91 to 94. This high rating is what makes the Volvo S60 have high performance.
Premium gasoline also contains other high qualities that regular gas might not have. The cost of premium gasoline is $4.98 per gallon.
Premium gasoline has many benefits that other regular gasoline does not have, such as:
- Resistance to engine knocks: premium gasoline has high resistance to engine knock in high-performance engines, hence providing a smooth drive.
- Fuel efficiency: premium gasoline has a higher fuel efficiency thus, meaning that it has fewer emissions with better gas mileage for longer.
- Performance The use of octane gas makes vehicles’ perform better, which regular gas cannot.
The Volvo S60: An Overview
Volvo S60 is a compact executive car that has been marketed and manufactured by Volvo since 2000 till today.
It was developed to replace S70. It has a high-performance engine and sports-oriented suspension. It has a 247-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that pairs with all wheels drive. Power increases to 400 horsepower on the all-wheel drive.
The 2023 S60 car is a stylish sedan with more driving experience than other sports cars might not have.
The Volvo S60 engine is one of the best engines in the world. The current engine has a 367-hp, making it one of the world’s best and most powerful four-cylinder engines.
This engine is very fuel efficient with 35 highway MPG. The transmission is an 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Volvo S60 can use 87 octanes, but you should consider using premium fuel of 91 octanes and above for better performance.
Volvo S60 Gasoline Recommendation
Previous Volvo S60 Sedans with T5 or T6 powertrains require premium 91-octane gasoline for better performance.
The B5 powertrain Volvo S60 cars also require the use of 91-octane fuel.
Although these cars use premium gasoline for better performance, they can also run perfectly on regular fuel of 87-octane gas.
Volvo also requires keeping fuel ethanol levels below 10% and not using methanol since it can cause damage.
The Impact of Using Regular Gasoline in a Volvo S60
Although Volvo S60 requires premium gas 91-octane to perform well, they can still use 87-octane unleaded regular fuel and function fine. But it is recommended that if you are using regular fuel on your Volvo S60, you should switch to 91-octane every couple of months because of the drawbacks of consistently using 87-octane.
Regular gasoline in Volvo S60 can lead to elevated exhaust gas temperatures and possibly knocking, which can affect the engine in the long run. In the short run, no damage may occur if you switch to 91-octane premium gas, but it shouldn’t be the norm. Regular gasoline can also give you poorer gas mileage; thus, fuel consumption will be inefficient.
If you use regular gasoline, you will realize that the vehicle’s performance is reducing, and you might spend more, thinking that you are saving because your vehicle is likely to consume more fuel.
Regular gasoline can lead to the engine running roughly because regular gasoline can contain water which can create some misfires. The water can collect in the car’s tank so that the corner water gets sucked up when you turn, leading to a rough engine.
Premium vs. Regular Gasoline: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
Octane rating
Premium gasoline has a higher octane gas than regular gasoline. The octane rating in premium gasoline is 91-octane, while in regular gasoline is 87-octane.
Performance
Premium gasoline offers better performance in Volvo S60 due to its high octane rating, while regular gasoline offers lower performance than premium gas because of its low octane rating.
Fuel efficiency
Premium gasoline tends to have better fuel efficiency; hence there will be less fuel consumption even for long distances, while regular gasoline tends to have poor fuel efficiency. Thus, fuel consumption tends to be high compared to premium gasoline.
Engine durability
The use of premium gasoline for the Volvo S60 tends to preserve the engine for years, but regular gasoline can damage the engine due to knocking.
Cost
As much as premium gasoline provides better performance and durability in Volvo S60, it tends to be more expensive than regular gasoline. Regular gasoline costs $3.92 per gallon, while premium gasoline costs $4.305 per gallon.
Engine running
Premium gasoline can lead to the smooth running of the engine, while regular gasoline can lead to the rough running of the engine.
S60 Owners Feedback
Regular gas Wont harm the motor at all. You will feel the difference in power if you floor it though, especially if you own a turbo model. That said, from my unscientific tests, I think fuel economy will drop a little on regular fuel as well, maybe 1.5 mpg or so. Honestly, if you can afford it, use the premium, If not, I would do what tech does and alternate premium and regular.
Source: nicolaselias on volvoforums.com
I have found that with 93 (91 if I can’t find 93), my gas mileage improves significantly over 87. You may spend more to fill up, but a tank will certainly last you longer. As with most FI vehicles, the computer is tuned for high octane in order to run ideally.
Source: Greasy on volvoforums.com
Conclusion
Volvo S60 offers the best performance and comfort compared to other Volvo models. Using premium gasoline in your Volvo S60 is recommended for better performance and better engine durability.
But you can also use regular gasoline, although it can cause engine damage in the long run.
But it’s best to use premium gasoline for better and longer engine performance without damage.
FAQs
What Kind of Gas Goes in My Volvo S60?
Volvo advises using Unleaded Premium gasoline, with an octane rating of 91 or above, for optimal performance. Regular gasoline can also be used without causing harm, though it may marginally lessen the car’s performance and fuel economy by approximately 1 – 2 miles per gallon.
Can I Use Regular Gas in My Volvo S60?
You can use regular gas in your Volvo S60, but there might be better options. Volvo recommends premium gas for the S60 for the best performance and fuel efficiency balance. However, using regular gas won’t harm the vehicle, but you might notice a slight decrease in power and fuel economy.
Why Does My Volvo S60 Smell Like Gas?
when a vehicle smells like gas could be due to a fuel systems issue, such as a leak in the fuel line or fuel injector. Alternatively, it could be a problem with the gas cap or the evaporative emissions system.
It’s recommended to have the car inspected by a professional immediately to prevent potential damage or safety risks.
Can You Mix Regular and Premium Gas?
You can mix regular and premium gas in most vehicles without any issues. Combining the two will simply give you a gas blend with an octane rating somewhere in between the two grades.
