Mercedes Mullins
The type of fuel used by cars depends on the make and model of the vehicle. The most common type of fuel is gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate, followed by diesel, which is derived from crude oil. Other types of fuel include liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen, and electricity. It is important to use the right type of fuel for your car, as using the wrong type can damage the engine. Different types of fuel have different purposes, and consumers should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel type, including their environmental impact.
What kind of fuel do cars use?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common fuel type | Gasoline (also called gas or petrol) |
| Other fuel types | Diesel, electricity, hydrogen, ethanol, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen |
| Fuel types by region | In the US, gasoline is the most common fuel type, followed by diesel, compressed natural gas, and ethanol |
| Fuel grades | Regular, Premium, Mid-grade |
| Premium gasoline characteristics | Octane rating of 91-94, intended for high-performance cars |
| Unleaded gasoline | Previously contained an additive known as tetraethyl lead (TEL) to boost octane ratings, but this has been phased out due to health and environmental concerns |
| Octane rating | A measure of how resistant gasoline is to pre-ignition |
| Engine damage | Using the wrong type of fuel can cause serious engine damage and require expensive repairs |
| Fuel efficiency | Diesel engines generally offer better fuel economy than gasoline engines |
| Environmental impact | Diesel engines can sometimes emit less carbon dioxide than gasoline engines |
| Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) | Vehicles equipped to use E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) are called FlexFuel vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline/petrol
Gasoline, or petrol, is a mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines. It is also used as a solvent for oils and fats. Gasoline is a high-volume profitable product produced in crude oil refineries.
The characteristics of gasoline depend on the type of crude oil used to produce it, the setup of the refinery that produces it, and other ingredients that may be included in the blend, such as ethanol. The specific gravity of gasoline ranges from 0.71 to 0.77, with higher densities having a greater volume fraction of aromatics.
The formulation of gasoline may also differ depending on the location where it is sold and the season of the year. For example, gasoline produced for sale in one area of the United States might not be authorized for sale in another area due to differing state and federal air pollution control programs. The main difference between winter- and summer-grade gasoline is vapor pressure, which is important for an automobile engine to work properly.
The ability of a particular gasoline blend to resist premature ignition (which causes knocking and reduces efficiency in reciprocating engines) is measured by its octane rating. Tetraethyl lead was once widely used to increase the octane rating but is not used in modern automotive gasoline due to health hazards. Leaded gasoline is now banned worldwide.
There are several grades of gasoline available at retail refueling stations, including regular, unleaded, mid-grade, medium, super, premium, and super premium. These grades indicate the octane rating of the gasoline, which measures how resistant the gasoline is to pre-ignition.
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Diesel
However, diesel fuel is much denser than regular fuel, and using it in a vehicle that is not built for it can cause substantial damage. Diesel fuel can clog up the fuel system and interfere with the moving parts in the engine block. Diesel pumps are usually bright green with a different-sized nozzle to prevent accidental filling of a gas-burning car with diesel fuel.
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Electric
The electric traction motor uses power from the traction battery pack to drive the vehicle's wheels. Some vehicles use motor generators that perform both the drive and regeneration functions. The onboard charger takes the incoming AC electricity supplied via the charge port and converts it to DC power for charging the traction battery. The power electronics controller manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the traction battery, controlling the speed of the electric traction motor and the torque it produces. The thermal system maintains a proper operating temperature range for the engine, electric motor, power electronics, and other components.
The efficiency of electric cars is best measured as the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) it takes to travel 100 miles, or kWh/100 miles. A higher kWh/100 miles indicates better efficiency. It's important to note that charging speeds use kilowatts, not kWh. A watt measures the rate at which energy flows, while kWh measures the total amount of energy that has flowed. Electric cars have the advantage of instant torque, long-distance range, responsive handling, and instant acceleration. They also offer a quieter ride than most gas-powered vehicles.
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Premium gasoline
The main difference between premium and regular gas is the octane level. Octane level indicates the likelihood of improper engine combustion, also known as "pre-ignition" or "engine knock". Engine knocks put pressure on the engine, so they should be reduced as much as possible. This is why high-performance cars use premium fuel, as it has a higher resistance to knock.
There is some debate as to whether using premium gasoline is worth the extra cost. While some argue that it improves performance and acceleration, others claim that it makes no difference. For example, in a test conducted by Car and Driver, a Honda CR-V showed a 1% improvement in fuel economy at 75 mph when using premium gasoline, but this came at a 21% higher cost. In another test, the CR-V's zero-to-60-mph and quarter-mile times were both a tenth of a second slower on premium fuel.
It is important to note that the benefits of premium gasoline may depend on the vehicle. For example, vehicles such as the Ford Escape and Mazda 6 are advertised with power figures made on 93-octane fuel, but can also run on 87-octane fuel. On the other hand, Honda recommends using 87-octane fuel for the CR-V and states that using a higher octane will not improve performance. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to determine the appropriate fuel type for a specific vehicle.
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Ethanol blends
In addition to E85, there are other ethanol blends available, such as E10, E15, E20, and E30, which contain 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30% ethanol, respectively. These blends are also expected to have a positive impact on the environment, reducing carbon monoxide emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Most cars use gasoline, a refined petroleum distillate. However, diesel, electricity, and hydrogen are also used.
Diesel is a denser type of fuel obtained from crude oil. It is only suitable for diesel engines and should not be used in gasoline engines, as it can cause serious damage.
Gasoline is a type of fuel that powers most cars. It has different grades, including regular, premium, and mid-grade, which vary in octane rating. Premium gasoline, sometimes called "ultra" or "super," usually has an octane rating of 91-94 and is intended for high-performance cars.
Alternative fuels include liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquid nitrogen, and ethanol blends. E85, a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol, is the most popular alternative fuel.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, which can usually be found in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website. Cars that require premium fuel often have additional indications near the fuel cap or by the fuel gauge on the dashboard.
