Sylvie Willis
Choosing the right fuel for your car is essential to ensure engine longevity and peak performance. In New Zealand, the three main grades of fuel are 91, 95, and 98 RON (Research Octane Number) unleaded petrol. The type of fuel your car needs depends on its specifications, with most cars on the road using standard 91 octane, while newer, high-performance vehicles use 95 or 98 octane. Diesel cars, on the other hand, can only use diesel. Mixing fuels are generally acceptable, as long as the octane rating is not lower than recommended. However, it is vital to consult your car's user manual or the sticker inside the fuel flap to determine the manufacturer's recommended fuel type, as using a lower octane can cause serious engine damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel types | Petrol, diesel, hybrid |
| Petrol types | Standard unleaded (91), Premium unleaded (95), Ultra Premium (98), E10 |
| Fuel recommendations | Check the user manual, sticker displayed inside the petrol flap, registration papers, owner's handbook |
| Fuel quality | Regulated by the New Zealand Government to align with best practices globally |
| Fuel pricing | Includes a small amount for monitoring fuel quality |
| Mixing fuels | OK to mix fuels as long as the octane rating is not less than the recommended fuel |
| Using a lower octane fuel | May cause engine damage due to pre-detonation or "knocking" |
| Using a higher octane fuel | May not provide economic advantage and can be an unreasonable decision |
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What You'll Learn
Unleaded fuel vs. diesel
Unleaded fuel and diesel are two types of fuel used in cars. Unleaded fuel, also known as petrol, is the most common type of fuel used in New Zealand. It is suitable for most cars on the road, including older and smaller vehicles. Unleaded fuel has an octane rating of 91, 95, or 98, with 91 being the most common and suitable for standard cars. Higher octane ratings, such as 95 and 98, are designed for higher-performance and hybrid vehicles and provide improved performance and engine function. However, they are also more expensive.
Diesel, on the other hand, is a combustible fuel that requires compression and heat to function. It is made of components with longer molecular chains and contains more energy per litre than unleaded fuel. Diesel engines are more efficient due to their greater compression, allowing them to make better use of the heat generated. Diesel is commonly used in trucks, heavy machinery, and vehicles with 'highly tuned' engines. It is also known to perform better at higher altitudes. However, studies have shown that diesel is less efficient in cold weather conditions and is not as suitable for use in automobiles.
When choosing between unleaded fuel and diesel, it is important to consider the type of engine your car has. Petrol engines use an electric spark to ignite a compressed mix of fuel and air, while diesel engines squeeze fuel and air so tightly that the mixture self-ignites. It is generally not recommended to mix the two types of fuel, as it can cause damage to the engine and fuel system. However, it is okay to mix unleaded fuels with higher octane ratings, as long as it is not lower than the recommended minimum for your car.
In New Zealand, the cost of fuel can vary, and it is important to consider the economic advantages of different fuel types. While higher octane ratings can provide improved performance, the premium price may not always be economically reasonable. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the user manual or the sticker displayed inside the petrol flap to determine the recommended fuel type for your car.
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Octane ratings: 91, 95, 98
Octane ratings refer to the standard measure of a fuel's ability to withstand compression in an internal combustion engine without causing engine knocking. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating. In New Zealand, the most common types of fuel include standard unleaded petrol (91), premium unleaded petrol (95), and premium unleaded petrol (98).
Standard unleaded petrol (91) is the most commonly used petrol in New Zealand. It is also known as "regular" or "unleaded" fuel and is suitable for most cars on the road, including older and smaller vehicles. This type of fuel is the cheapest option available. It is important to note that while it is generally safe to use a higher octane than recommended, using a lower octane than suggested can cause serious damage to the engine.
Premium unleaded petrol (95) is a higher-octane fuel suitable for newer, high-performance vehicles, including most hybrid vehicles. These cars are designed to run on higher octane fuel and will perform better and more efficiently when using 95 octane. It provides a smoother engine operation that improves performance and is more expensive than the standard 91 petrol.
Premium unleaded petrol (98) is the most expensive type of gasoline and is often known as "Ultra Premium". It provides superior performance and engine function while emitting less pollution. This type of fuel is mainly used in sports and racing automobiles, as well as vehicles with "highly tuned" engines. It has a higher engine power and is used in performance-tuned cars.
It is worth noting that while 98 octane fuel is often branded as "premium", it may not be necessary for all vehicles. The decision to use a higher octane fuel depends on the specific requirements of your car's engine. Additionally, the improvement in performance from using a higher octane fuel may not always outweigh the additional cost.
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Premium unleaded petrol
If your car requires a minimum of 95 octane fuel, it is recommended to use a premium unleaded petrol such as ZX Premium Unleaded or Gull Premium 95. These fuels contain specially formulated additives that help keep your engine clean and protect your fuel systems against corrosion, allowing your engine to perform at its best.
It is important to note that using a lower octane fuel than recommended by the manufacturer can cause serious damage to your engine. This is known as "knocking" or "fuel knock", where the petrol combusts early and pushes down against the piston, causing a knocking sound and potentially leading to major engine issues if left unchecked. Therefore, it is generally advised to use the recommended octane as a minimum and not mix fuels with lower octane ratings.
However, it is safe to use an octane higher than recommended. For example, if your car requires 91 octane, you can mix it with 95 octane fuel, but not the other way around. While the improvement in performance may be marginal and may not offset the additional cost, some car owners prefer the option of using a higher octane fuel for their peace of mind.
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Mixing fuels
It is beneficial to maintain consistency with the type of fuel you use in your car. Your car's engine may experience reduced performance or even break down if you use a lower-octane fuel than recommended by the manufacturer. Using a lower-octane fuel can lead to fuel knock, which can cause damage to piston rings, exhaust valves, and pistons.
If you accidentally mix fuels with an octane rating lower than recommended, it is important not to start your car. Starting the ignition will circulate the incorrect fuel within seconds and cause damage to your engine and fuel system. Instead, contact a tow truck service to have your vehicle transported to a garage, where mechanics can flush the incorrect fuel from the system.
While higher-octane fuels can provide improved performance and mileage, particularly for newer, high-performance vehicles, the additional cost may outweigh the benefits for some drivers. It is important to refer to your car's user manual or the sticker inside the petrol flap to determine the recommended fuel type and octane rating for your specific vehicle.
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Eco-friendly fuels
Biofuel
Biofuel is a renewable fuel typically made from food crops, used cooking oil, wood waste, or in New Zealand, from dairy industry by-products. It can be blended with petrol or diesel fuel, with up to 10% bioethanol or 5% biodiesel, respectively. Biofuel burns more cleanly than conventional fuel and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. It is better suited to newer vehicles, but many older cars can also use it.
Ethanol-blended fuel
Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn, plant materials, or by fermenting and distilling products containing sugars and starches. It is blended with gasoline for use in vehicles. Any petrol engine can be converted to run on ethanol-blended fuel, but it may require a second fuel tank, and there are some restrictions on its use in small machinery and for marine and aviation purposes.
Electric vehicles
Electricity can be used to power electric vehicles (EVs), including all-electric and plug-in hybrid models. EVs are becoming an increasingly popular option in New Zealand, with models such as the Nissan Leaf offering a compelling case for long-term savings and reduced carbon emissions.
Hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, combine traditional fuel with electricity, offering best-in-class fuel efficiency without compromising performance. Hybrids are well-suited to busy city traffic and are a popular choice for taxi drivers.
In addition to these fuel types, advancements in engine technology have led to the development of more fuel-efficient engines, such as SEAT's ECOMOTIVE and TSI engines, which optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions without sacrificing performance.
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Frequently asked questions
The three main grades of fuel available in New Zealand are 91, 95, and 98 RON (Research Octane Number). 91 octane is the most common type of fuel and is also known as "regular" or "unleaded" fuel. 95 octane is a higher-octane fuel designed for newer, high-performance vehicles, and 98 octane is a premium fuel used for sports cars and vehicles with highly tuned engines.
You can find out the recommended fuel type for your car by checking the user manual, the sticker inside the fuel flap, or the registration papers. If it says "Premium Unleaded," use a minimum of 95 RON fuel. If it says "Unleaded," use 91 RON.
Yes, it is generally okay to mix fuels as long as the octane rating is not lower than the recommended fuel for your car. For example, if your car takes 91 octane, you can mix it with 95 octane, but not the other way around. Diesel cars can only take diesel.
Using a lower octane fuel than recommended can cause serious damage to your engine due to pre-detonation or "knocking." This can lead to excessive heat and damage to the piston, piston rings, valves, and cylinder. If you use the wrong fuel, do not start your car and get it towed to a garage for servicing.
While some people believe that their car performs better with certain brands of fuel, this is difficult to prove or disprove. All fuels sold in New Zealand are well-suited for a variety of vehicles and must meet legal specifications.
