Many of us go to the gas station, pull up to the pump, choose the cheapest gas, then go on our way, but do you know the differences in the fuel types?
Here we explain each one so you can make an informed decision next time you are at the pump!
There are 4 different types of fuel, 87 Octane, 90+ octane, E85, and Diesel.
87 octane is the most commonly used. It is just ordinary unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of around 87.
90+ octane or premium fuel is used in many high-performance vehicles. Many high-end cars will even recommend that you fill up using higher octane fuel. Higher octane fuels can handle more compression and heat before they self-combust, meaning you won’t have engine knock. High-performance engines have a higher compression ratio which is why they would require higher octane fuel. Many newer cars are designed to use either regular or premium gasoline just fine.
E85, good ‘ol ethanol which is derived from corn! This type of fuel has less chemical energy and it burns cleaner. Since it is so heavily subsidized by the government, it is cheap too! You will get fewer miles per gallon compared to regular fuel but the difference isn’t that substantial.
Diesel. With even more chemical energy than gasoline, diesel is extremely fuel-efficient. You MUST drive a train, truck, or diesel specific vehicle to use it though. Putting diesel in a regular gas car will cause major issues and prevent the engine from running at all.
Many stations might have mixtures of these with octanes that vary, but this will help you know what is what and help you make an informed choice!
