Regan Brown
With fuel prices on the rise, it's important to know which type of fuel your car requires to avoid any costly mistakes. In New Zealand, the three main types of petrol available are 91 octane, 95 octane, and 98 octane. The octane rating of petrol signifies its ability to resist early detonation in the engine's cylinders. To find out which fuel is suitable for your car, you can check the user manual, the sticker displayed inside the petrol flap, or under the fuel cap. Using the recommended octane as a minimum is crucial to ensure engine longevity and top performance, and prevent expensive repairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to check what fuel your car uses | Check the user manual or the sticker displayed inside the petrol flap, under the fuel cap, or the owner's handbook |
| Fuel types | Standard unleaded petrol (91), Premium Unleaded 95, Ultra Premium Unleaded 98, Diesel |
| Fuel choice consequences | Using a lower octane fuel than the engine needs can cause major damage to the engine |
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What You'll Learn
Check the owner's handbook
The vehicle owner's manual is a great resource to check what fuel your car uses. This handbook contains essential information about your car, including the type of fuel it requires. Typically, the handbook will explicitly state the fuel type, making it a straightforward process to identify.
The owner's handbook is a comprehensive guide to your vehicle, and it is tailored specifically to your car's make and model. It covers a range of topics, from routine maintenance and troubleshooting to specifications and recommendations. Among these details, the handbook will indicate the fuel type your car is designed to use. This information is crucial, as using the wrong type of fuel can lead to significant issues and costly repairs.
By consulting the owner's handbook, you can verify the recommended fuel type, ensuring optimal performance and longevity for your vehicle. This simple step can save you from potential headaches and unexpected costs down the line. It is worth noting that the fuel type information may also be listed near the gas cap or the fuel gauge, so these areas are worth inspecting as well.
In addition to the owner's handbook, other sources can provide guidance on fuel type. For instance, the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations play a role in fuel choice. If the manufacturer indicates "premium fuel recommended," you have the flexibility to choose from regular, midgrade, or premium fuel options. However, if your car has a diesel engine, it is imperative to use diesel fuel exclusively to avoid catastrophic engine damage.
Understanding the octane rating of fuel is another factor to consider. Higher-octane fuel, such as 91 or 93 octane gas, is recommended for vehicles with higher fuel-air compression ratios, as it helps prevent preignition issues. However, using higher-octane fuel in a car that doesn't require it will not enhance performance. Conversely, using lower-octane fuel in a car designed for higher-octane fuel can cause problems like preignition, knocking, and potential engine damage.
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Look for a sticker inside the petrol flap
If you're unsure about what fuel your car uses, one of the easiest ways to find out is to look for a sticker inside the petrol flap. This sticker should tell you the recommended fuel type for your car. It's important to use the correct fuel type, as using the wrong type can damage your engine.
The sticker inside your petrol flap will typically display the recommended fuel type in terms of its octane rating. The octane rating of petrol—91, 95, or 98 in many markets—signifies its ability to resist early detonation in the engine's cylinders. Engines are designed to run on petrol with a minimum octane rating, so it's important not to use petrol with a lower grade than is advised. For example, if your car requires 95 octane fuel, you must not use 91 octane, as this can cause pre-ignition or "knocking". This occurs when the petrol combusts early, pushing down against the piston while it is still moving upwards, which can cause major engine damage over time.
In addition to the octane rating, the sticker may also indicate whether your car requires unleaded or premium unleaded fuel. Unleaded fuel is typically recommended for most standard cars, while premium unleaded fuel, which has a higher octane rating, is often suggested for high-performance or turbocharged vehicles. Using the correct fuel type is essential for maintaining engine longevity and ensuring your car runs at peak performance.
If you're unable to locate the sticker inside the petrol flap or if it's illegible, you can refer to your car's user manual. The user manual will provide detailed specifications and recommendations regarding the fuel type, octane rating, and any other relevant information specific to your vehicle. It's always a good idea to consult these resources before filling up your car to ensure you're using the appropriate fuel and to avoid any potential issues or damage to your vehicle.
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Understand octane ratings
Octane ratings are a measure of a fuel's ability to resist 'knock' or 'pinging'. Knocking refers to the spontaneous combustion of the air-fuel mixture inside an engine, which occurs before the spark plug can ignite it. This can cause engine damage. The higher the octane number, the more resistant the fuel is to knocking.
The octane rating is defined by the volume percentage of iso-octane in a mixture with n-heptane that will produce the same knocking behaviour. For example, a fuel with an octane number of 95 will behave the same way as a mixture of 95% iso-octane and 5% heptane. The benefit of a higher-octane rating fuel is that the mixture of fuel and air injected into the cylinder can be compressed more before it is ignited, which generally leads to a more efficient combustion. However, to take advantage of this, your engine must be set up to compress the fuel to that extent.
The octane requirement of an engine varies with the compression ratio, geometrical and mechanical considerations, and operating conditions. Performance cars with higher compression engines require higher octane fuel. The octane rating of fuel you should use can be found in your vehicle's owner's manual. Using a lower-octane fuel than required can cause knocking and will prevent your vehicle from meeting its stated fuel economy. Over time, this can damage your engine and emissions control system.
Retail gasoline stations in the United States sell three main grades of gasoline based on the octane level: 87 (regular), 89 or 90 (mid-grade), and 91 to 94 (premium). Companies may use different names for these grades, such as unleaded for regular grade. However, the higher the octane, the higher the price per gallon of gasoline.
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$10.49
Know the different fuel types
Knowing the different fuel types available is essential to choosing the right one for your car. The most commonly used fuel for cars is gasoline, also known as petrol. It is easily combustible, which allows for quick starting and fast acceleration. However, burning gasoline produces high levels of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of pollution and global warming.
Gasoline has different grades, which are determined by their octane level. The octane level indicates the fuel's stability, with higher octane numbers meaning greater stability. The most common octane levels are 87, which is considered "regular", 91, which is "premium", and 89, which is mid-grade. Engines with a greater compression ratio or turbocharging often require higher octane fuel.
In New Zealand, the main types of petrol available are 91, 95, and 98 octane. While 98 octane, often called "Ultra Premium", provides superior performance and less pollution, it is the most expensive. It is typically used for sports cars and vehicles with highly tuned engines. It is important to note that using a lower grade of fuel than recommended can damage the engine over time. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines for the minimum octane level and recommended fuel type.
In addition to gasoline, diesel is another popular fuel type, commonly used in vehicles that travel long distances, such as trucks and vans. Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient, offering greater mileage per gallon of fuel. Biodiesel, a renewable alternative, can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease for use in diesel vehicles.
Another alternative fuel that is growing in popularity is electricity, used in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Ethanol, a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials, is also widely used. It is blended with gasoline for use in vehicles, with E85 containing 51–83% ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles can use either E85 or gasoline, but using E85 in a non-flex-fuel car can be harmful.
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Avoid using the wrong fuel
Filling up your car with the wrong fuel can cause major damage to your engine, so it's important to be careful when choosing your fuel.
Firstly, it's important to note that the type of fuel your car requires will depend on the type of engine your car has. For example, diesel engines can only take diesel fuel. Cars with turbocharged engines may require higher octane fuel, such as 95 or 98 octane, which is often known as 'Ultra Premium'.
To avoid using the wrong fuel, you should always check your car's manual or the sticker displayed inside the petrol flap for guidance on which fuel is best for your vehicle. The manufacturer's recommendation is the minimum octane that should be used. For example, if your car requires 95 octane, you must not use 91. This is because engines are designed to run on petrol with a minimum octane rating, and using a lower grade of fuel can cause pre-ignition or "knocking". This occurs when the petrol combusts early, pushing down against a piston while it is still moving upwards, which can be identified by a knocking sound in your engine.
You should also be aware that some fuels have additives that can improve performance and engine function, so it is worth checking if your car could benefit from these.
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Frequently asked questions
You can check the manufacturer's recommendation in your car's user manual, or by checking the sticker displayed inside the petrol flap. You can also refer to the owner's handbook, under the specifications section.
The most common types of fuel include standard unleaded petrol (91), premium unleaded (95), and ultra-premium unleaded (98). Diesel is another type of fuel used in high-speed diesel engines.
It is recommended to use the specified fuel for your car to ensure engine longevity and top performance. Using a lower octane fuel than recommended can cause major engine damage. However, if your car takes 91, you can mix it with 95, but not the other way around.
The octane rating signifies the fuel's ability to resist early burning inside the engine. Higher octane fuel has greater stability under pressure and is less likely to combust prematurely.
