Do GMC Yukons Require Premium Gas?

The GMC Yukon is a beloved SUV that is used by many.

However, all cars require gas, and you need to decide which type you should get. 

Does the GMC Yukon require premium gas?

Do GMC Yukons Require Premium Gas?

Most GMC Yukon models don’t require premium gas, and regular gas can be used instead. However, the 6.2L V8 and 8.1L engines found in first-generation GMC Yukons require a premium gas that is at least 93 rated-octane. Premium and regular gas can both be used in the other GMC Yukon models.

When at the gas station, most people choose to get the type of gas that is the cheapest, especially because gas is extremely expensive nowadays, but that might not be the best thing for your vehicle. 

More information about when to use premium gas for a GMC Yukon is included below.

Do I Need to Put Premium Gas in My GMC Yukon?

You don’t need to put premium gas in your GMC Yukon unless you have a first-generation model.

First-generation GMC Yukons were made from 1992 to 1999, so not many of them are still on the road today. 

However, all GMC Yukons require gasoline that is at least 87 octane, which can be found at most gas stations in the United States. 

There are only a few differences between premium and regular gas. The main difference that many people keep in mind when choosing what type of gas they should put in their car is the cost. Most premium gas is 20-50 cents per gallon more expensive than regular gas, and regular gas is expensive as it is.

Another difference between the two types of gas is the detergents and additives that are found in premium gas. These additives clean a car’s fuel injectors as you drive your car. 

Regular gas doesn’t have the same amount of additives and detergents. 

However, drivers have found that the additives in premium gas don’t work much better than the ones found in regular gas, so the extra cost is not worth it in the end. 

The other difference between the two types of gas is the octane level. The GMC Yukons require an octane level of at least 87. 

Premium gas has a higher octane level than regular gas.

Should I Use Premium or Regular Gas in My GMC Yukon?

If you want to save some money, you should just use regular gas in your GMC Yukon. 

However, if you have a first-generation GMC Yukon that requires premium gas, use premium rather than regular.

If you don’t, you will damage the engine, especially if you do it repeatedly.

Most of the time, premium gas is only required to be used in luxury or high-performance vehicles. 

The GMC Yukon is neither, although the interior of the car is quite nice.

If you want to ensure that your GMC Yukon’s engine will stay clean or remove a build-up of carbon deposits, periodically fill up the gas tank with premium rather than regular gas. The detergents and additives will do their jobs well, and then you can go back to purchasing regular gas instead.

It might be a good idea to do this every 6 months or so.

However, filling your GMC Yukon’s gas tank with premium gasoline will not help the SUV’s overall performance. 

Luckily, most people find that they are happy with the GMC Yukon’s overall performance, so you likely won’t be considering getting premium gas rather than regular gas to improve your car in that way.

If your engine is acting up or something seems to be damaged, don’t fill the gas tank with premium rather than regular gas. 

Instead, take it to a mechanic that you trust and have it looked at.

A different gasoline formula will not help your engine if it is damaged or something is broken inside, no matter how much you want it to.

Other Types of Gas the GMC Yukon Can Use

Most GMC Yukons can use gasoline that has an octane level of 87 or higher, but some models require diesel rather than gasoline. 

When you purchase your GMC Yukon, you will be told whether or not it requires diesel, and there will be notes on the gas tank cap that will tell you not to fill the tank with gasoline, as it is an easy mistake to make. 

You can use regular or premium diesel. If you use gasoline in a GMC Yukon that requires diesel, you will ruin the engine.

GMC Yukons that have a 5.3L or 6.2L engine can use E85 gasoline. Find out what type of engine your GMC Yukon has before you fill it with gas for the first time.

Typically, you can use whatever type of gas you want to when filling up your GMC Yukon, as most gas stations don’t offer options that have a much lower octane level than 85 or 87.

If you are worried about getting the wrong type of gas, keep a note of what type of engine your GMC Yukon has and what octane level it needs. 

Most of the time, you will find a minimum octane level, but you can use gas that has a higher octane level.

In the end, GMC Yukons don’t require premium gas, and there isn’t really a good reason why you should choose premium gas over regular gas

Maybe get premium gas rather than regular every once in a while to clean out your engine slightly better, but the premium gas won’t make much of a difference in the end.

Instead of getting premium gas regularly, save some of your money and get regular instead. 

Most of the time, it fulfills the octane levels that your GMC requires, and it is much cheaper. 

Although the 20-50 cent difference may not seem like it will matter, it makes a big difference in what you will pay at the end of your trip to the gas station.

If your GMC Yukon requires diesel, get regular diesel rather than premium. 

You will save quite a bit of money, and premium diesel won’t make much of a difference when it comes to your SUV’s engine.