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Most drivers fear filling up at the pump. With gas prices as high as they are right now, the only thing that matters is saving money but maintaining vehicle performance with the fuel we choose. We need to get the most out of our vehicles for as long as possible, which generally means maintaining them rather than spending thousands on expensive repairs or a new vehicle. To get the most out of their vehicle, some people tend to spend more on their gasoline, choosing a higher octane fuel rating because they assume their car will perform better and have better gas mileage. By understanding what fuel octane is and how it affects your engine, you can see that this is not necessarily the case and you can instantly save money at the pump by using the gasoline your car requires and nothing else. In a consumer advisory, the Federal Trade Commission says that “in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than recommended in the owner’s manual offers absolutely no cleaner benefits.”
Octane ratings measure the ability of gasoline to withstand engine shocks. The numbers refer to the octane rating of the fuel. Most service stations offer three octane ratings: regular (usually 87 octane), medium grade (usually 89 octane), and premium (usually 92 or 93). Ratings are posted on bright yellow stickers on each gas pump near the corresponding nozzle. The higher the number, the slower the fuel burns. An internal combustion engine uses pistons to squeeze fuel until it explodes. With high-octane fuel, the pistons must put more pressure on the fuel to ignite. With the exception of some high-performance luxury vehicles and specially designed engines, most vehicles on the market are designed to use regular octane. High compression engines in sports or luxury cars need premium or medium grade gasoline to avoid knocks. The best way to know what is recommended for the vehicle you are driving is to read your owner’s manual and pay attention to the rattling noise also known as “engine knock.”
So what exactly is engine knock? According to automotive experts, it is defined as a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. This means that the fuel ignites too soon and can create too much pressure that the engine simply cannot handle. When vehicles that are designed to use premium gasoline are filled with regular gasoline, problems like this can occur. When your vehicle is designed for premium gasoline, this is the circumstance that you do not want to put lower quality fuel in the vehicle. The ignition timing will turn off and the “engine knock” will begin. On the other hand, most people believe that buying a higher octane fuel will benefit your engine and that is not the case. Choosing a higher octane rating will not affect your performance or gas mileage, as many drivers believe.
Contrary to popular belief, high-octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane gasoline in preventing dirt and debris deposits from forming on the engine, removing them, or cleaning your vehicle’s engine. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that all gasoline, all brands, contain engine cleaning additives to protect against engine deposit build-up. These deposits can cause serious problems and reduce performance. This build-up in the engine has been likened to a slow and deadly engine cancer, reducing power, fuel efficiency, and even drivability when left unattended for too long. Although modern technology is producing cleaner and more efficient burning engines and vehicles, engine deposits remain a major problem for consumers. These deposits are a by-product of fuel combustion, and the areas that are most likely tend to be the combustion chamber and the fuel intake system, which includes the intake channels and ports, the carburetor or fuel injectors, and intake valves.
In both carburettors and fuel injectors, fuel leaks through small openings. Over a period of time, evaporation of the fuel can gradually cause a build-up in these openings and, if left unchecked, can block the holes. This restricts fuel flow and reduces engine performance. “The opening of a port fuel injector is about the width of a human hair,” says Tom Mulrane, research and development manager for STP Products. “So very few reservoirs are needed to clog them. Automakers generally agree that a flow restriction as small as 10% on a single fuel injector can result in hesitation, stumbling, stalling, and loss of fuel. power”. Deposits in the combustion chamber can increase the octane requirement of the engine, increasing the likelihood of knocking or making noise, although higher octane fuel is not really recommended. Keeping a clean engine is just as important as the gas you choose.
If you hear knocking or pinging noises, it is suggested that you try alternating with medium or premium grade gasoline the next time you fill up at the gas pump. If the noises continue after a couple of refuels, it probably means you need a service or a tune-up. Once that work is complete, we suggest you try to return to normal octane or as recommended by your owner’s manual. But why is premium and mid-grade gasoline more profitable? Premium gasoline costs 15 to 30 cents a gallon more than regular gasoline. That can actually add up to at least $ 100 or more a year in additional costs that weren’t necessary in the first place. Studies predict that drivers today may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year on higher octane gas than they need. The typical vehicle in 2009 averaged between 20 and 25 miles per gallon. Spending extra money on higher-quality gasoline to increase fuel efficiency when it doesn’t really affect fuel efficiency at all is frustrating news for many consumers who think they are treating their vehicle with something special. In this country, statistics show that drivers spend between $ 3,600 and $ 4,000 per year on gasoline at the pump. That’s roughly $ 1 out of every $ 12 of median household income, the highest amount in roughly three decades!
As you drop off some cash at the gas station, remember to know the facts about the octane numbers of your fuel. If your owner’s manual recommends regular (87) octane gas, don’t feel like you’re doing your vehicle a favor by choosing a higher grade. It will not affect performance, capacity or fuel consumption. Your money is much better spent ensuring that routine car maintenance and services are completed and your engine is free of harmful deposits. Know your octane and know your gas.