To most people, gasoline and milk are considered essentials for driving and living respectively. But there are times when one would rather have a drink than fuel an engine. Perhaps you’ve had a few too many glasses of wine at lunchtime, or maybe you’ve just finished a long, hard day and would love to pop the cork on a cool bottle of champagne. Your car’s tank may be more than half full, but what do you do next? Do you continue pumping or do you find a gas station?
These are some of the questions that you may ask yourself when faced with a dilemma regarding your automobile’s gas tank. You may be wondering if there’s a difference in quality between fuels, or whether one is as good as the other. You may also want to know the best way to transition from one to the other, if at all. The following article will explore the differences between the two major types of gasoline commonly available in America today:
Regular
Regular gas is what you might find at a normal gas station. Though there is some variation in the quality of gas from one station to the next, mostly owing to the varying prices at different pumps, you can rely on it to be around a certain, average standard. It’s cheap and available almost everywhere, which is probably the reason it’s been so popular over the past few years. It’s also the most popular fuel amongst automobile enthusiasts, due to its high octane rating and its ability to handle high speeds and power very well. When it comes to regular fuel, the following attributes are some of the best in the industry:
- Great for engines and fuel economy
- Generally compatible with most cars and trucks
- Available almost everywhere
- Affordable
If you’re familiar with regular gas, or have used it in the past, then moving to premium might not seem like such a big leap. After all, isn’t it better to have a high-quality fuel that’s more expensive? The main difference between the two is the octane number, or O.N., which measures the “strength” of gasoline. Regular gas has an O.N. of 92–98, while premium gas is 87–93. Thus, premium gas is stronger and more efficient than regular gas. If you have a particularly nice engine in your car (e.g., V8), then you may want to consider skipping regular gas and getting a full-blown, premium version instead.
Premium
Usually, the more expensive a gasoline is, the more powerful it is. This is certainly the case with premium gas, which can cost up to three times as much as regular gas. Because of this, premium gasoline is often referred to as “performance gas.” It’s no secret that most premium gas is pumped from oil fields located in the Middle East, but the fact remains that the U.S. imports most of its petroleum from there as well. So, while we may not be able to avoid the occasional spike in oil prices, we can always rely on them keeping pace with inflation.
There are many reasons why you might want to consider premium gas. Perhaps you’re an enthusiast who wants to take your car to the limit, or you’re looking for greater efficiency. There’s also the fact that most people believe that premium gas is somehow better than regular gas. Whether this is true or not, it’s up to you to decide. One thing is for sure, though: If you’re planning on driving a lot, then you might want to consider investing in a gas tank that can handle high speeds and fuel economy, like a jerry can.
The Difference In Quality
If you’ve ever filled up at a gas station, then you may have noticed that some stations’ gas is a little thicker and has a slight smell to it. This is because some stations blend their gas from different sources, while others don’t. There’s also the option of buying gas that’s already been blended, which some gas stations offer. Sometimes, this can make a difference in your car’s performance.
If you live in an area where there are no gas stations within walking distance of your home, then you may want to consider getting a bicycle and pumping your gas out there. This is because the thick, blended gas will keep its freshness for longer. If you live in a large area and do a lot of driving, then getting a gas canister for your car is also an option, as these will also improve your car’s fuel economy. When selecting a gas canister, make sure that it’s the appropriate size for your engine and that the gas in the canister is of a good quality.
Which One Should You Try First?
As mentioned, there are several differences between regular gas and premium gas. However, one thing they have in common is that neither type of gas is good for your car’s catalytic converter. This is because the catalytic converter is specifically designed to operate on certain types of fuel, and if you switch out to a different one without proper compensation, then it may stop functioning correctly. Thus, if your car’s catalytic converter is made of metal, then you may want to avoid switching to another type of fuel, especially if it’s expensive. Instead, you should try to find a petrol station that offers the same type of fuel as your car’s original one. Fortunately, many petrol stations do offer this option, so you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel.
How Do You Know If You’re Getting Good Fuel?
Besides the fact that some fuels are better than others, there are ways that you can tell if the specific fuel you’re purchasing is good or bad. The most reliable way is to go through a gasoline filter and test it for quality. Specifically, check for the following:
- The amount of fluid in the tank
- The quality of the fluid (e.g., does it have a chemical smell to it)
- The thickness of the fluid (e.g., is it highly opaque or transparent)
- The color of the fluid
- The ability of the fluid to burn (does it have a good smoke production rate)
- The speed at which the fluid burns (does it have a clean exhaust flame)
- The ability of the fluid to keep engines cool (e.g., does it have a high cetane number)
- The amount of soot in the fluid (e.g., is it particulate or smoke free)
When buying gas, you should look for those attributes that would make the difference between a good and bad fuel. The following table summarizes these differences and also gives you an idea of the overall quality of the fuel you’ll be getting: