premium fuel. Are they suitable for every car? Opinions of mechanics

While premium fuel prices hit drivers in the eye, fears still tempt gas stations with extra octane. They should increase power, reduce fuel consumption and provide longer engine life. How it really is and whether the upgraded fuel is suitable for each car model is answered by the mechanics of Polish car services.

Almost all major fuel companies offer premium fuel and convince of its superiority over standard versions. Meanwhile, not only drivers, but also mechanics are not sure about their price-quality ratio. As noted by the latter, in the optimistic scenario, we can only reduce fuel consumption by using enriched versions by 1-5%, which was confirmed by laboratory tests by independent research institutes such as ADAC. However, this difference does not in any way offset the purchase price. The same applies to performance improvements - a calculated increase in power of a few percent is almost imperceptible in everyday driving. The situation is even different when it comes to engine life. Premium fuel could be an interesting alternative to consider, mechanics say, but only if we cycle it for a long time. On the other hand, owners of older vehicles with high mileage should treat refined fuels with great care.

Enriched fuel is especially dangerous for older ships

In addition to improving performance, manufacturers say premium fuel cleans the inside of the engine, improves valve closing efficiency, and eliminates self-ignition and carbon build-up problems.

“What is supposed to help can harm even cars with high mileage. The improvers and cleaners found in premium fuels can wash away contaminants that have accumulated in the engine and mix with the oil in the oil pan. This may seem like a very good thing, because we have a clean engine and we change the oil regularly. However, carbon deposits washed in this way will reduce the tightness of the piston in the cylinder. Thus, the compression ratio will decrease, which will lead to a decrease in engine power, rather than an increase, points out Adam Lenorth, network expert at ProfiAuto Serwis. What's more, detergents used in premium fuels can leach contaminants out of the fuel system, which in turn can damage injectors, Lenort adds.

Beware of premium fuel in engines without a knock sensor!

Mechanics say that you should not refuel with enriched fuel, in particular, drivers who drive cars equipped with units without the so-called. Knock sensor. We are talking about the vast majority of models produced before the end of the 90s.

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“Behind the octane increase in premium blends are so-called anti-knock additives to prevent burnout of pistons and valves and even damage to the engine head. A sign of knocking while driving is a characteristic metallic knock during acceleration. If the engine is not equipped with this sensor, higher octane fuel can slow down the combustion process so much that the engine not only does not add, but even loses its original power. Fortunately, this problem does not occur in most cars manufactured since the beginning of the XNUMXth century, equipped with the appropriate sensors, says ProfiAuto Serwis expert.

Professional motor chemistry is an alternative to premium fuel and its price.

Professional fuel additives are more attractive to the awareness of garage professionals. We are talking about chemicals that we add to the car tank every five thousand kilometers. Designed for petrol and diesel engines, it has gained acceptance and is considered by mechanics to be a more interesting alternative to the premium fuel offered in Poland. This is especially true for molecular engineering products with nano- and microtechnologies (including graphene), the action of which has been proven in road conditions, in long-range tests, on dynamometers and in competitive sports. Overall, it's also a more wallet-friendly option when you compare their prices to regular fuel-enriched refueling.

– Of course, premium products improve the well-being of drivers. Companies are proving that enriched mixtures not only improve engine health, but are also more environmentally friendly, as they reduce emissions of toxic substances. Their systematic use in new units will prevent the formation of pollution and soot, which, in turn, will help extend the life of the engine. Thanks to this, we will enjoy its smooth operation for longer. However, the fact that it seems to us that the car has better performance and burns less is more of a placebo effect. In times of high fuel prices, the choice of basic options seems to be the smarter move for drivers, sums up Adam Lenort from the ProfiAuto Serwis network.

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