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Differences in premium and standard fuels – is it worth paying extra?

Premium fuel at the station - fuel distributor
Artur Owczarek
Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

At petrol stations, there are different quality classes of the same type of fuel available. Premium petrol usually costs a few dozen groszy more per litre than standard petrol. Is it worth buying? When does such a solution make sense?

  • Gas stations have different types of fuel. Often, you can choose between standard fuel and premium fuel.
  • The fuel classification is not accidental. The premium version contains additives that extend the life of the car's components.
  • Not in every case will it be a good idea to fill up with premium fuel. Information on what fuel to fill up with can be found in the car's manual.
  • Have you filled up with the wrong fuel? Check, how to drain fuel from a tank!

 

Types of fuel at gas stations

Types of fuel at gas stations

There are various types of petrol available at petrol stations. types of fuel, such as petrol, diesel and LPG, which is popular due to its low price. Alternative fuels, such as CNG or biofuels, are also increasingly common. In the case of petrol and diesel, we have a choice of refueling with premium fuel and standard fuels. Premium versions of fuels contain additives that improve engine performance and reduce exhaust emissions, although they are more expensive. Choosing the right fuel in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations affects the durability of the engine and its efficiency.

What is the difference between premium and regular fuel?

Refueling the car

Primarily premium fuel contains refining ingredients. These are primarily preparations that have anti-corrosion and anti-foaming properties. Thanks to them, combustion of gasoline does not result in the formation of carbon deposits, i.e. a characteristic deposit of unburned fuel particles.

Higher quality products usually also contain ingredients that protect the metal parts of the engine system from contact with external factors. They are especially important in the case of modern, complex cars. They can extend the life of the valve system, injection system, turbocharging or DPF filter, reducing the cost of future repairs. They also provide better lubrication than standard petrol or diesel.

Premium fuels better in winter?

Fuel distributor

As it turns out premium fuels in the winter season, they are often enriched with additives that lower the freezing point. They prevent the filter from clogging, which is especially problematic in diesel engines. This is the so-called winter fuel. Such substances are also available separately - you can mix them yourself with cheaper diesel fuel. It will work well, for example. My Diesel Depressor Car, which facilitates starting the unit in the winter season.

The preparation should be mixed with diesel fuel in the proportions given by the manufacturer. For 50 l of fuel, 50 ml of the depressant is enough. Check, how to use diesel depressant!

Premium fuels and octane number

Fuel dispensers

Apart from all this premium fuel it usually also has a higher octane number than regular. This means that it is more resistant to knocking combustion – an uncontrolled phenomenon that can damage the engine. At Polish petrol stations, you will find, among others, premium petrol, i.e. petrol type 98, which has a higher octane number than the 95 variant.

Premium fuel – is it worth it?

premium fuel - is it worth it - fuel distributor

The question then arises, Is it worth refueling with premium fuel? Some drivers pay special attention to the technical condition of their car, which is why they invest in premium fuel. Is it worth buying it in every case? It turns out that in some cars, using more expensive petrol or diesel fuel does not make sense. Not all engines are designed to work with a substance with a higher octane number. This is a good choice only in the case of newer engines.

Check, how to calculate car fuel consumption!

When is premium fuel an unnecessary expense?

Premium fuel in the dispenser

If your car is not designed to run on premium fuel, you will not notice any changes in its performance. Buying more expensive petrol or diesel does not make sense and is an unnecessary expense. A much better choice is to spend money on engine protection agents.

Premium fuel in newer vehicles

Premium fuel refueling

Now that you know what types of fuel there are and when premium products will prove useful, it is worth focusing on their impact on the operation of modern drive units. What fuel should I refuel with? If your car's manual states that it is designed to run on higher-octane fuel, it is worth following this rule. Properly selected fuel can optimize the way the engine works, extend its life and prevent serious failures.

Also read: "Christened fuel" - what is it and why is it harmful to your car?

How much does premium fuel cost?

Premium fuel refueling

For some drivers, the most problematic are: high prices of premium fuel. Is it always worth investing in such preparations? It depends. High-end petrol or diesel oil cost a few dozen groszy more per liter than their standard counterparts. However, their regular use can help extend the life of important components that would be expensive to repair. So sometimes such an investment pays off.

It is worth remembering mainly not to mix different types of fuel. If you decide to fill up with premium preparation, you will not be able to add regular petrol or diesel to the tank.

There are different types of fuel at the stations. Buying the higher priced one makes sense, but only in certain situations. It is a good choice especially for owners of newer cars with complicated drive units.

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