Does Jeep Wrangler Require Premium Gas? (Explained)

Getting a new vehicle usually comes with several hassles, and one of them is determining the type of gas that is best suited to the new car. 

Like most vehicles, the Wrangler has been in the market for over eighty years.

However, with new modifications and changes to both the car’s body and engine, it’s essential to know what kind of gas is good for its engine.

Jeep Wrangler does not require premium gas mandatorily. The vehicle has a 2.0 engine for which premium gas is recommended but not required as it can still run on regular gas. However, the vehicle uses regular unleaded gas; with premium gas, the car’s engine output increases.

Difference Between Premium And Standard Gas?

The major difference between premium gas and standard gas is their respective octane levels.

Premium gas usually has a higher octane rating than standard gas, and standard gas usually has an octane level of 87 or 89, while premium gas’s octane rating is usually 91 or 93.

When the octane levels are higher, it lowers the possibility of detonation at the wrong time because fuels with higher octane rates can stand up to much higher compressions before detonating.

Additionally, vehicles with high compression engines or turbochargers work better on premium gas, and the manufacturers require that such vehicles use premium gas.

Such vehicles require high octane gas for efficiency, found in premium gas.

Although premium gas costs about 50 cents more than standard gas, it would be a waste on a car that can’t take advantage of it.

If your vehicle does not require premium gas, just fill your tank with regular. Going the extra mile to use a higher octane gas when your vehicle doesn’t require it is not advantageous to your vehicle.

It won’t increase your vehicle’s speed or efficiency or give it better mileage or make it run cleaner. But if your vehicle requires premium gas, then fill up on premium.

Most turbo engines require premium gasoline, which helps them achieve better performance, higher fuel efficiency, and fewer emissions.

What Kind Of Gas Does A Jeep Wrangler Take?

If your Jeep Wrangler is not a new model, like from 1996 to 2019, it most likely has a 3.6L engine, which means it will take standard gas.

However, you should use premium gasoline if your Wrangler is newer, like from 2020, and the model has the 2.0L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine.

There are different makes of Jeep Wrangler with different specifications, the kind of fuel a Jeep Wrangler takes depends on its engine type, which you can determine from its manufacture year. 

Jeep Wranglers manufactured from 1996 to 2020 have 2.0, 2.4, 3.6, 3.8, and 4.0L engines that use regular gasoline, also known as standard gas.

Regular gas usually has an octane level of 87. However, Wranglers manufactured in 2020 and upwards have 3.0L diesel engines that use No.2 Ultra Low diesel fuel.

Generally, Jeep recommends 87 octane gasoline or 91 octane gasoline for the older models and newer models of their vehicles, respectively.

Either way, it’s important to go through the vehicle’s manual and confirm what the manufacturers say.

Also, keep in mind that if your vehicle requires premium gas and you go using regular gas, some engine parts may damage due to premature ignition.

In such a situation, you can void your warranty, which means you will be responsible for any damages done to your vehicle’s engine.

2022 Jeep Wrangler Gas Type

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler does not have many changes from previous Jeep Wrangler models; the 4X4 midsize SUV is an absolute beast built for exploration.

The Wrangler also has a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. 

As such, it uses 91 or higher octane premium gasoline, according to the 2.0 Turbo manual. Higher octane premium gas, in this case, means 93 octane gasoline.

However, lower octane gas in the 2022 Jeep Wrangler won’t cause problems in the vehicle’s engine.

What that simply means is that 89 octane gasoline or even lower will not harm the vehicle or cause any problems; however, for a better output, it’s best to use 91 or 93.

Better output means optimal performance and the vehicle’s full potential. 

Several vehicle owners have said that using regular gas in their 2.0 Jeep Wrangler engine makes it run like crap.

However, 91 octane premium gasoline runs better and provides better fuel economy than regular gas.

So in the 2022 Jeep Wrangler, premium gas is not required for the vehicle; it is only a recommendation.

You can choose to go with the 87 octane gasoline, but it’ll be better if you go premium.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Fuel Type

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is one of Jeep’s finest SUVs with impressive off-roader capabilities, although it is not very different from other year’s models, it has been improved on, and some other specs have been added to the make.

However, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler does not have a required fuel type, and it has a 2.0 turbocharged engine which means that it can use both the regular fuel and the premium gas.

However, according to the manual, the 87 octane gasoline can only give satisfactory performance, but the 91 octane premium gasoline gives optimal performance.

However, you won’t likely notice the increase in the engine’s output even with the premium gas except during hot weather or when you are putting a lot of stress on the vehicle, like when you’re using it to tow. 

The reason is that the 2.0L engine has come equipped to meet all emission demands.

Therefore, it will give satisfactory output in terms of performance and fuel economy as long as the fuel doesn’t drop below the 87 octanes of high-quality regular unleaded gasoline. 

Even with regular gasoline, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler will perform well enough. However, the engine output will increase with a 91 octane rating gas or higher octane rating premium gasoline.

And the engine’s performance will be at its best.

If you’re drawing on the power a lot, 91-octane premium gasoline will be better for you. It will be better for your engine performance and general engine wear and tear, which will reduce greatly.

Using 87 octanes is not bad either, but the computer simply reduces the ignition timing and the turbo boost and adjusts the vehicle’s fuel timing.

The 87 octanes will work better for regular everyday driving, but if your driving is performance-focused or the vehicle is carrying heavy cargo.

Then, a 91-octane premium gas will serve you better. 

2020 Jeep Wrangler Fuel Type

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler uses regular fuel, it has a 3.6L, 3-cylinder engine, and like most wranglers designed from 2020, it can run on regular 87 rating octane gas.

However, the regular gas will not give maximum output. 

Thus, although the engine and manufacturers do not require premium gas for the vehicle, they recommend that you use premium gas of 91 octane rating and higher, as it is better for the vehicle and increases performance. 

Most of the Wranglers manufactured after 2020 have the same turbo engine and similar specifications, which means that the premium gas will be better for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler and increase the vehicle’s output and improve gas mileage.

2019 Jeep Wrangler Gas Type

The gas required for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler is 87-octane top-tier regular gas, although the manual does say that using a higher octane gas like 91 or 93 will give optimal output.

However, you may not notice much difference between the two.

That, and the fact that the 87 octane gasoline is required, means you should just stick to using your 87 octane gasoline.

Additionally, the 87 octane is cheaper than the higher octane gas, and using it in a 2019 engine does not have much upside.

However, you might want to consider giving it a try before deciding which one to settle on. If you want to go with the company’s recommendation, you should go with the 87 octane rating gasoline. 

2018 Jeep Wrangler Gas Type

The 2018 Wrangler also uses regular unleaded gasoline; Jeep says that the Wrangler should use 87-octane of top-tier regular gas.

However, if you want to go up, you can use 91 octanes since the manual says that the 91 octane premium gasoline will give optimal output.

However, if you’re not using your Jeep for heavy-duty drives like towing and carrying extra loads, you may not even notice any difference between the two.

So, you should use 87 octane gasoline unless there is a different recommendation from the company.

Jeep Wrangler Fuel Economy Tips and Tricks

Conclusion

Many models of Jeep Wrangler do not require premium gas. However,  Jeep recommends premium gas, especially for 2020, 2021, and 2022 models.

Premium gas has higher octane ratings, and the older models of Jeep Wrangler do not require premium gas.