Every month, car drivers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi pay the same price at the fuel pump. They examine the digital screen spin. Consequently, they ponder if they are purchasing the right fuel grade.
Currently, the UAE Fuel Price Board adjusts selling prices every specific month. Because of this, requiring the wrong option at the pump can harm your monthly budget.
Deciding between Super 98, Special 95, and E-Plus 91 is not about luxury. Instead, it is a minimal choice based on your car’s engine design. If you are also deciding between fuel types for ownership costs and driving requirements, compare petrol vs diesel in the UAE before choosing your next vehicle or fuel strategy.
What Do These Numbers Mean?
The figures 91, 95, and 98 refer to the Research Octane Number (RON). This score evaluates how stable the fuel is under pressure. It is a measure of the resistance of the fuel to run a common engine phenomenon called knocking.
Pounding occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites too early within the engine.
- Higher Octane (Super 98): This fuel can survive great heat and compression before it burns.
- Lower Octane (E-Plus 91): This fuel burns away much faster under lower pressure.
If your fuel burns away too prematurely, it establishes uneven shockwaves. This will result in leaving you with a metallic tinkling noise. Repeated engine knocking over time may affect engine performance and engine components. If you want to understand how octane ratings affect fuel stability and engine requirements, read this detailed guide on what octane ratings mean.
The Three Fuel Grades Compared
Fuel prices in the UAE are updated monthly under the UAE fuel pricing system. To check the latest pump rates and compare current petrol prices across fuel grades, see our live UAE fuel price updates page. However, each class targets an utterly different type of engine.
| Fuel Grade | Octane Rating | Ideal Engine Type | Common Vehicle Examples |
| Super 98 | 98 RON | Turbocharged luxury cars | BMW M Series, Porsche 911 |
| Special 95 | 95 RON | Medium passenger cars | Mid-range SUVs, family sedans |
| E-Plus 91 | 91 RON | Everyday budget commuters | Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sunny |
Debunking the Premium Fuel Myth
Numerous trainers believe that a substantial budget car with Super 98 gives additional horsepower. However, this is a myth.
If a 91 octane setting is recommended by your instructions, then no more fuel will be added if you switch to 98. Therefore, you will not get better combustion or improved mileage. This happens because a standard engine lacks the high compression needed for premium fuel. Consequently, you may be spending more without additional benefit if your car does not require higher octane.
Workshop Diagnostics
Modern engines may adjust ignition timing when lower octane fuel is used, which can affect performance depending on manufacturer’s requirements.
Expect a modern 2.0-liter turbocharged car developed for Special 95. Soon, the car’s computer discovers minor tapping. To safeguard the hardware, the car repeatedly changes its spark timing.
However, this modification creates a new problem. Diagnostic tools display a clear drop in engine force. Furthermore, fuel efficiency immediately reduces. Thus, saving money on economy fuel actually raises your long-term running costs.
How to Choose Your Fuel Grade
To safeguard your wallet, check the lowest octane law for your car. If you want to estimate how your fuel choice affects monthly driving expenses, use our fuel cost calculator to calculate expected running costs. You can find this digit inside your fuel cap door. Instead, you can inspect the user manual.
- Follow the manual: If it expects 91, use E-Plus 91.
- Never downgrade: Using 91 in a quick sports car triggers quick power loss and engine stress.
- Mixing is safe: If you mix 95 and 98 by mixing, your car will run certainly. However, the general octane level drops. Therefore, you drop the true payment of the premium grade.
2026 UAE Fuel Prices Comparison Table
The UAE Fuel Price Committee assesses costs at the end of each month. Consequently, pump prices change to pair with global oil trends. If you want to see how UAE petrol rates have moved over the years and understand long-term pricing patterns beyond monthly changes, explore our guide on UAE petrol price history.
At this point is how local prices look throughout the first half of 2026:
| Month (2026) | Super 98 (AED/L) | Special 95 (AED/L) | E-Plus 91 (AED/L) |
| January | 2.53 | 2.42 | 2.34 |
| February | 2.45 | 2.33 | 2.26 |
| March | 2.59 | 2.48 | 2.40 |
| April | 3.39 | 3.28 | 3.20 |
| May | 3.66 | 3.55 | 3.48 |
| June | 3.95 | 3.83 | 3.76 |
What Drivers Usually Want to Know About Super 98, Special 95 & E-Plus 91
Can I mix Special 95 and Super 98 petrol?
Your engine will not undergo any physical harm because the fuels disclose similar basic ingredients. However, blending will alter the octane level inside your tank. Therefore, you will drop the true performance boost of the superior Super 98 grade.
What happens if I use E-Plus 91 in a luxury car?
Spending a lower octane grade than advised can trigger immediate issues. Specifically, it affects a phenomenon called engine banging. Your car’s computer will suddenly change the trigger timing to stop the knocking. As a result, you will observe lower engine potential and poor fuel economy.
Does Super 98 make standard cars run faster?
No, this concept is a very widespread automotive myth. Super 98 does not include secret energy extracts for extra speed. Instead, it simply opposes early ignition under heavy compression. General traveller engines lack the extraordinary density required to perform.
Reasons of Fuel Price change every month in the UAE?
The UAE government liberalized fuel prices back in 2015. Because of this adjustment, local pump prices track global crude oil benchmarks. A regional committee values these international market developments every month. Therefore, local rates increase or fall to coordinate global supply and shipping costs.
To understand what actually determines monthly pump rates, including crude oil movements and pricing factors, read our detailed breakdown of how UAE fuel prices are calculated.
Where can I find my car’s recommended fuel type?
You can simply find this information in two major places. First, check the interior of your vehicle’s fuel filling door. Most manufacturers assign a clear sticker there. Alternatively, you can look at the quick specs section in your issued owner’s manual.
