4 October 2026 · 3 min read
Super 98 or Special 95: Which Petrol Does Your Car Need in the UAE?
Most everyday cars in the UAE are designed for Special 95, and many small engines are fine on E-Plus 91. You only need Super 98 if your owner's manual or fuel cap says so, which is typical for high-performance and many turbocharged European cars. Using 98 in a car built for 95 gives no real benefit. At October 2026 prices, 98 costs AED 0.12 more per litre than 95, about AED 15 to 25 a month for a typical driver.
How to check what your car needs
- Look inside the fuel filler flap: most cars state the minimum octane there
- Check the owner's manual under fuel requirements
- "Recommended" 98 means it runs on 95 with slightly less power; "required" 98 means use 98
Which cars usually need Super 98
Performance cars, many German turbocharged engines and some luxury SUVs specify 98. Mainstream Japanese and Korean cars such as the Corolla, Camry, Sunny, Elantra and Rio are designed for 91 or 95.
Does premium fuel clean the engine or add power?
Not in a car designed for 95. Modern UAE fuels already contain detergents, and an engine only uses higher octane if it is tuned to. Save the difference.
Choosing your next car with fuel in mind
If running costs matter, check the required fuel grade before you buy. Our team will tell you exactly what each car on our floor needs.
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