‘Do I really need to use premium fuel?’

Boston.com Cars is your go-to resource for coverage of local car news, events, and reviews. In the market for a car or truck? Check out our new car specials and used car specials curated by our local dealer network.Q. I just purchased a 2016 Acura TSX. The owner’s manual recommends I use premium fuel. Does that mean I need to use premium? And should I use synthetic oil? A. For many vehicles today, there is a recommendation to use premium fuel for maximizing engine performance, but it’s not required. There are very few vehicles that mandate only premium fuel. The engine management system in your car will compensate for lower octane fuel and prevent engine damage. If you want maximum performance, use premium. If you want to save 10-20 cents per gallon, use 87 octane fuel. I also believe the benefits of synthetic oil outweigh the additional cost associated with conventional oil.John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician. He answers readers’ questions each Saturday. You can tune in to his radio program Saturday morning from 8:30-10 a.m. on 950AM WROL or www.wrolradio.com. Email your car question to [email protected]. Follow John on Twitter @johnfpaul and friend him on Facebook mrjohnfpaul.