Popular car mechanic says some drivers should use certain fuel to avoid damage

A top YouTube car expert has issued a warning to owners of older , advising them to opt for premium petrol or diesel to avoid costly repairs. Scotty Kilmer, a seasoned mechanic with decades of experience since the 1960s, shares his wisdom on , guiding drivers on how to save cash and prevent damage to their motors.

In a recent video, Scotty points out that using higher-grade fuel in high-mileage older cars can stave off carbon accumulation. He said: "Now, most older engines were made to run perfectly fine on regular, cheap gas [petrol], but as they age, the inside of the engine often gets a build-up of carbon.

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"Since there's a limited space inside the engine, as the carbon builds up, it increases the compression pressure inside the engine. So, when you accelerate, that high compression can make it ping [break down] with cheap fuel."

With fuel prices climbing once more, the AA reported that in February 2024, motorists faced an average price of 143.5p per litre for petrol and 152.5p for diesel.

Yet, Scotty advises that those with older cars might find it economical in the long run to invest in premium fuels, which contain additives designed to dissolve carbon deposits in the fuel system.

These premium options also boast a higher octane rating, which is particularly beneficial for high compression engines, offering enhanced performance and a modest boost in fuel efficiency.

Scotty warned that lower octane fuels could lead to engine knock, which is not only a nasty racket but also a fast track to engine disaster, reports .

He elaborated: "If you put premium gas in, it can keep the engine from knocking because premium petrol can take more pressure from when it ignites.

"So, if you're a cheapskate and don't want to rebuild your engine, maybe your old engine will run a lot better with premium gasoline."

In Blighty, those behind the wheel of petrol-powered motors from before 2005 should steer clear of regular juice due to its higher ethanol content.

Regular fuel's got a 10 percent ethanol mix which cuts emissions but can wreak havoc on the metal and rubber bits in your fuel system.

While you can kit out many beloved classic cars with upgraded fuel lines to handle E10 petrol, it's usually wiser to splash out on the good stuff – premium fuels with less ethanol.