In the past, car owners didn’t have to think too about their choice of gas as fuel. Unleaded was unleaded, and diesel was diesel. As the times have changed, car engines have become more and more complicated. Currently, gassing up a vehicle can be a bit confusing.
There are three unleaded gasoline grades available in the U.S. market. The gasoline grades, or fuel octane ratings, are important. A vehicle that houses a higher performance engine requires a fuel with higher octane rating. Such engines were developed to produce higher compression inside the cylinder, which generates more power. According to automotive expert Jeff Lupient, if an engine was designed for high efficiency, but not so much for performance, the need to go for a higher fuel octane may not be as much of an advantage.
Many car owners and even enthusiasts believe the misconception that the pricier the fuel, the more effective and efficient it is for driving. Premium fuels are not necessarily cleaner. It’s important to review the owner’s manual of the car to know its recommended octane rating. Disregarding the fuel octane recommendation may void a vehicle’s warranty.
Unless one experiences a pinging or knocking while driving, Jeff Lupient suggests for car owners to stay within the recommended fuel octane rating. The audible pinging and knocking on the engine is caused by detonation inside the cylinder. Fuel with higher octane ratings are better at withstanding the increase in pressure or compression, which avoids involuntary detonation or engine knocking.
Jeff Lupient is the current CEO and president of Lupient Automotive Group in Minnesota. He is proficient in many skills such as new business development, automotive dealership, and sales. For more updates, head over to this blog.
Jeff Lupient 