What is the difference between the types of fuel for cars?
What is petrol
It is the fuel that fuels cars that transport people and goods from point A to point B. Petrol is made from crude oil.
Oil refineries produce a liquid for fuel pumps, but it is not a finished product. In blending plants, it is combined with other component materials to produce petrol that meets the requirements of the final product and is filled into the tanks of cars for use in spark-ignition engines.
Types of petrol
A standard petrol station uses three main types of petrol:
- ordinary (unleaded);
- medium (super);
- premium (super premium).
Or as they are also called: A 92, A 95, A 95 Premium. The difference between these grades, in addition to the price, is their individual octane ratings (92, 95). The octane rating of petrol is an indicator of its resistance to detonation. Fuel with a higher octane rating should produce smoother ignition. The octane number also affects the price per litre of petrol: the higher the octane number, the higher the price of fuel.
What is diesel fuel
Diesel, like petrol, is also a motor vehicle fuel, but it is commonly used in trucks and motor boats. The main component of diesel fuel is also a mixture of crude oil. Unlike petrol, however, it burns on its own without an electrical spark and is used in diesel engines installed in trucks and motor boats, which use compressed hot air for ignition, unlike the spark ignition of standard cars.
An alternative to diesel
Thanks to scientific advances, an alternative to diesel fuel has emerged. This is biodiesel, which is more environmentally friendly. Traditionally, petrol is made from fossil fuels, while biodiesel is made from oil derivatives, so it is cleaner. Biodiesel is also able to dissolve dirt and debris in fuel lines.
How to choose the best fuel for your car
The choice of fuel directly depends on the type of vehicle. Unleaded petrol is preferable in engines with a low compression ratio, as it burns faster. If the engine is turbocharged or has a high compression ratio (because the ignition has a higher resistance), it is better to spend a few extra hryvnias and buy premium.
In general, in order to decide on the choice of fuel, you need to thoroughly study the car’s manual and get advice from a reliable mechanic.
