Mercedes Mullins
The type of fuel used in cars varies, with most vehicles running on gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate. However, there are several other fuel types available, including diesel, which is obtained from crude oil, and alternative fuels such as E85, a blend of gasoline and ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, and liquid nitrogen. The choice of fuel depends on various factors, including engine type, performance requirements, and environmental considerations. Gasoline vehicles typically use spark-ignited internal combustion engines and emit gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Diesel engines, on the other hand, use compression-ignited systems and can sometimes offer better fuel economy and lower emissions.
Gases in Car Fuel and Their Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most Common Gas | Gasoline |
| Other Names | Gas, Petrol |
| Source | Refined petroleum distillate |
| Alternative Fuels | Diesel, E85, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, Liquid Nitrogen |
| Gasoline Composition | Blend of Gasoline and Ethanol (up to 10%) |
| Gasoline Emissions | Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O) |
| Diesel Engines Emissions | Lower Carbon Dioxide emissions than Gas Engines |
| E85 Composition | 15% Gasoline, 85% Ethanol |
| E85 Characteristics | Less Expensive, Lower Miles per Gallon, Renewable |
| E85 Vehicles | FlexFuel Vehicles, identified by a decal or label |
| Octane Level | 87 for Regular Gas, 91-94 for Premium Gas |
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline
The ability of a particular gasoline blend to resist premature ignition (which causes knocking and reduces efficiency) is measured by its octane rating. The higher the octane rating, the better the fuel will perform in the vehicle. Regular gas is a suitable choice for most cars, but some luxury and high-performance cars with higher compression engines may require a premium grade of gas. It is important to refer to the owner's manual to confirm the octane rating required for a specific car.
Burning gasoline produces harmful exhaust gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These emissions contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and can have negative impacts on both the environment and human health.
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Diesel
To meet emissions laws, modern diesel engines use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. SCR injects a reductant such as ammonia or urea into the exhaust to convert nitrogen oxides into gaseous nitrogen and water. Other methods, such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), have been less effective in reducing NOx emissions. Additionally, fine particulate matter in diesel exhaust, such as soot, can present health concerns.
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. A gallon of diesel burned produces 10,180 grams of CO2, compared to 8,887 grams for a gallon of gasoline. However, diesel cars and trucks generally offer better fuel economy and today's diesel engines can often emit less carbon dioxide than gas engines.
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Octane ratings
In the US, unleaded gasoline typically has octane ratings of 87 (regular), 88–90 (midgrade), and 91–94 (premium). However, gasoline with an octane rating of 85 is available in some high-elevation areas of the US, as the lower barometric pressure at these altitudes means that older carbureted engines can tolerate it.
The octane rating of a fuel is prominently displayed on gasoline pumps in the US, with the number appearing in large black numerals on a yellow background. Most gasoline vehicles are designed to run on 87 octane, but others are designed to use higher octane fuel. Higher octane fuels are often required or recommended for engines that use a higher compression ratio and/or use supercharging or turbocharging to force more air into the engine.
Using a lower octane fuel than required can cause the engine to run poorly and can damage the engine and emissions control system over time. It may also void your warranty. In older vehicles, the engine can make an audible "knocking" or "pinging" sound. Many newer vehicles can adjust the spark timing to reduce knock, but engine power and fuel economy will still suffer.
The standard means of testing octane is with an octane testing engine. This test is similar to the way the mass of an object can be determined by comparing it to objects of known mass on a balance scale. Primary Reference Fuels (PRF) of precisely known octane are formed by combining iso-octane, heptane, and other well-known standards such as toluene. These PRFs are used to determine the pressure at which similar knock intensities are observed.
The (R+M)/2 you see on the label refers to the average of the research octane number (RON) and the motor octane number (MON) ratings. To determine the RON, the fuel is tested under engine idle conditions with a low air temperature and slow engine speed. To determine the MON, the same fuel is tested under the more stressful conditions of higher air temperature and engine speed.
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Carbon emissions
In addition to CO2, gasoline-powered automobiles also produce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from their tailpipes. While methane emissions from vehicles are less prevalent, they have a significantly higher global warming potential than CO2, exacerbating their environmental impact. Furthermore, all vehicles, regardless of their fuel type, can emit hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners, which further contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
To address carbon emissions, alternative fuels and vehicle technologies have emerged. Electric vehicles (EVs), for instance, have zero tailpipe emissions, although emissions are associated with the production and distribution of the electricity used to power them. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) offer a combination of electric and gasoline power, potentially reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional gasoline cars.
Another alternative fuel, E85, is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, with ethanol comprising up to 85% of the mixture. E85 is considered a flex-fuel option, suitable for vehicles designed to use it, known as flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). While E85 may lead to reduced fuel economy compared to pure gasoline, it often provides a more affordable option due to the renewable nature of ethanol, which is derived from crops like corn and soybeans.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is yet another alternative fuel that has gained traction. CNG-powered cars and trucks typically produce fewer carbon and greenhouse gas emissions than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. However, the availability of CNG vehicles for personal use is currently limited, and on-the-road refueling options are less accessible than those for gasoline. Nevertheless, CNG remains an important option for fleets and commercial vehicles, contributing to reduced carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
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Alternative fuels
Most cars run on gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate. However, there are several alternative fuels available today. Using alternative fuels helps the US cut oil consumption and reduce emissions. Here is some detailed information about alternative fuels:
Ethanol
Ethanol is a widely used renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials. It is blended with gasoline for use in vehicles. In 1996, Ford produced a new FFV Taurus, with models capable of running on either methanol or a blend of ethanol and gasoline. Ethanol was preferred due to support from the farming community and government incentive programs. Today, E85, a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol, is the most popular alternative fuel.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease for use in diesel vehicles.
Electricity
Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained popularity in recent years. They have no tailpipe emissions, but emissions are created during the production and distribution of the electricity used to power them.
Dimethyl Ether (DME)
DME is a promising fuel for diesel and petrol engines due to its high cetane number. Only moderate modifications are needed to convert a diesel engine to burn DME, and it meets stringent emission regulations in Europe and the US.
Ammonia
Ammonia has been proposed as an alternative to fossil fuels for internal combustion engines. It can be used in existing engines with minor modifications, and when produced using coal, the emitted CO2 can be sequestered.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard fuel for cars is gasoline, which is a refined petroleum distillate. However, there are several alternative fuel options available, such as diesel, E85, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, and liquid nitrogen.
E85 is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, with 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol. It is a popular alternative fuel, also known as flex fuel, that is made from renewable resources like corn and soybeans.
Diesel is a different type of fuel obtained from crude oil. It is only used in diesel engines and should not be used in gasoline engines as it can cause serious damage.
Regular unleaded gasoline is the most common type of fuel used in cars. It typically has an octane level of 87 and is suitable for most engines.
High-octane fuel is more stable and can withstand higher pressure and heat before combusting. It is designed for high-performance sports cars with sophisticated, high-compression engines. These engines are more likely to experience pre-ignition, so require a premium grade of gas.
