Nowadays, there are many choices when it comes to gasoline. There are numerous brands you’ll see along the roads and highways, and multiple selections at the pump. Believe it or not, it does matter what gas you put in your car. Adding an unsuitable fuel grade can reduce performance, fuel economy, and engine life.
Automobile manufacturers often recommend using gasoline from Top Tier brands such as ExxonMobile, Shell, BP, Texaco, and others. But just because you see a lesser known name doesn’t mean the fuel is of poorer quality. Oftentimes the gasoline is sourced from the same suppliers. That means it’s often safe to get cheaper gasoline at an independent gas station if you’re short on cash or are running close to empty.
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Better Gas Can Protect Your Engine
Some automotive fuel brands add more detergent to gasoline than others. Detergent additives can protect the engine by preventing the buildup of carbon deposits. These deposits can damage fuel injectors and other engine components, lead to poor engine performance, and cause your vehicle to have a lower gas mileage.
Carbon deposits in the combustion chamber can cause fuel to ignite prematurely. When this happens, you might hear knocking or pinging sounds. The deposits can clog the intake valve as well, which can prevent them from operating normally.
What About Octane?
Regular, mid-grade, and premium gasoline choices are offered at most gas stations. For many consumers, the differences between them aren’t clear. Many cars are designed to run on regular, or 87 octane gas. An octane rating defines how resistant to pre-ignition a sample of gasoline is. Higher octane fuel does not provide a car with more energy; it is just more resistant to pre-ignition and causing engine knock.
Sports cars and luxury vehicles often have high-compression engines that are more prone to knock, so they require premium gasoline. Although pre-ignition is still bad for engines, modern engines can detect pre-ignition and re-calibrate themselves to avoid knocking. On the other hand, using too low an octane can reduce engine power and gas mileage. Higher octane fuels won’t cause any damage, except to your wallet because they cost more.
Check Your Vehicle’s Requirements
Your car’s owner’s manual should state the best octane gas to use. Depending on your vehicle, there may be other requirements. If you have a diesel engine, as many modern high-efficiency vehicles do, regular gasoline can cause serious and expensive damage. Besides, diesel engines will not run on gasoline. For vehicles that use biodiesel fuel, there are various different blends, identified by the percentage of biodiesel compared to how much petroleum-based diesel is included.
The owner’s manual of a BD-capable car should note the percentage to use. Biodiesel also contains methanol. Depending on the formulation, the fuel may cause damage to rubber parts in the fuel system or be too thick for some fuel injectors. It’s therefore extremely important if you have an alternative engine to use exactly the right gas, or you risk causing serious damage.
Find Your Next Vehicle at Hawthorne Auto Square
Hawthorne Auto Square offers stress-free financing options with fast approval, regardless of credit and your financial history. Contact or visit us today to value your trade, compare your options, and drive away in a low-mileage vehicle with low payments the same day.
Hawthorne Auto Square offers a large inventory of used cars, minivans, trucks, and SUVs, as well as a premium inventory of high-end vehicles. Visit our “buy here, pay here” dealership for help finding the vehicle you want and need.