A car is a complex system of mechanisms that require proper care and compliance with operating recommendations. They are set by the manufacturer and indicated in detail in the form of a list in the instructions.
Gasoline is, as you know, fuel. The durability of the car depends on its quality and basic characteristics. If the fuel is selected in accordance with the requirements of the engine, the engine will require repair or replacement yet soon. Therefore, using high-quality gasoline with the required set of characteristics, the driver can significantly reduce the cost of maintaining his car.
Today, there are many varieties of fuel for the engine. What is their difference, will help sort out the advice of experienced motorists and technologists. Making the right choice in this case will be simple.
general characteristics
Gasoline is a mixture obtained by distillation of oil. It is designed for internal combustion engines. Ignition in the system is forced. Gasoline "Ford", "Opel", "Lada", etc. may differ in a number of characteristics. This is due to the difference in fuel composition.
Gasoline boils when heated from 28 to 215 º. There are automotive and aviation varieties. In recent years, requirements for the environmental cleanliness of gasoline have increased significantly. Therefore, the amount of sulfur compounds, as well as aromatic hydrocarbons, was reduced in its composition .
The main characteristics that determine the scope of fuel for cars are fractional composition, detonation and chemical stability, saturated vapor pressure, etc. Before buying a particular variety, you should familiarize yourself with the basic properties of the fuel.
Knock resistance and octane rating
The flame in the engine propagates normally at a speed of 20-30 m / s. In some cases, it can increase significantly (up to 1500-2500 m / s). At this point, detonation occurs. It affects the operation of the engine. A wave forms that gasoline creates. "Opel", "Peugeot", "Mercedes" or a car of any other brand, when such a situation arises, begins to use up fuel.
Knocking reduces engine power. At the same time, its exhaust valves and pistons burn out. To indicate the resistance of the fuel to detonation, use the octane number. To determine it during the development and creation of gasoline, the manufacturer conducts tests under loaded and light conditions.
Octane Number Methods
Gasoline is a fuel that is mixed with air in a certain proportion during engine operation. The octane number can be determined in two main ways. This is a research and motor method. In the first case, tests are carried out at low loads, and in the second, at high speeds and heating temperature.
According to the test method, the types of gasoline are divided into 2 main groups. The first of them may be marked with the letter “I”. This means that the octane number was established using a research approach. If the marking includes the letter “A”, this means that the knocking limit was measured by the motor method. The octane number can be set in both of these ways at the same time. Marking in this case has the letters “AI”.
Octane Rating
Determining at the gas station with the question "which gasoline is best to be poured into the engine", one should consider the generally accepted classification by octane number. It is based on the research method.
According to her, there are 4 types of gasoline. Distinguish between "Normal-80", "Regular-92", as well as "Super-98" and "Premium-95". Along with AI-80, the first variety is designed for truck engines.
Instead of leaded A-93 gasoline, it is customary to use Regular-92 in passenger cars today. For foreign cars, the motor of which is manufactured according to all European standards and requirements, it is customary to use "Super-98" or "Premium-95". This fuel is able to extend the life of the engine mechanisms of a foreign car, and also fully complies with high environmental requirements.
Gasoline quality
Owners of foreign cars, such as Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot, for which gasoline must meet high European standards, are puzzled by issues of improving the quality of domestic fuel.
In our country, there is also the practice of improving the quality of fuel and octane using special additives. These are antiknock components. To prevent the formation of carbon deposits in the engine, they are used in combination with a scavenger.
Antiknock agents contain lead. Evaporating from an engine with exhaust gases, these substances enter the environment, poisoning it. Therefore, the use of such technologies is a rather dubious method. It is better to initially purchase high-quality gasoline that meets environmental requirements.
Wrong fuel
Trying to choose the best gasoline for their car, many drivers still make mistakes. Each manufacturer calibrates the motor for a specific type of mixture. If the entire system, microprocessors and sensors are designed for Premium-95, the engine will not be able to fully operate on Normal-80.
In this case, the knock sensor under loads, sharp accelerations will constantly work. This becomes the cause of unstable operation of the motor, reducing its dynamics. If the knock sensor does not work correctly, the power unit may overheat. The valve and pistons are destroyed much faster. Fuel consumption starts to increase. Repair of the engine and other systems will cost more than constantly filling the car with gasoline of the required class.
How to evaluate the quality of gasoline?
Unscrupulous sellers can independently change the chemical composition of the fuel to make more profit. In order not to become a victim of fraud, you should purchase fuel from trusted distributors.
Gasoline is, as you know, a consumable on which the operation of a car depends. You can’t save on its quality. Check can be carried out independently. For this, gasoline is poured into a transparent container. The substance must be pale yellow in color without impurities.
If potassium permanganate is added to the tank, the fuel should not turn pink. Otherwise, a discoloration indicates dilution with water. At some branded gas stations, in order to avoid fakes, gasoline is painted with various means.
If you put a drop of fuel on your palm and rub it, there should not be a greasy residue. Otherwise, this indicates an admixture of diesel fuel. Also, any smell uncharacteristic for petroleum products should alert.
Chemical qualities of good gasoline
In search of an answer to the question of how much gasoline should be poured into the tank, you need to carefully study the operating instructions. The manufacturer clearly prescribes these parameters in this document.
During combustion, the maximum amount of heat should be released. Moreover, the thermodynamic characteristics should also be high. High-quality gasoline is easily pumped through pipelines and motor mechanisms. This indicator should not decrease in conditions of low temperatures, dustiness. The optimal evaporation rate allows you to store gasoline for a long time and ensure its rapid ignition during engine operation.
Also, a good product protects the elements of the system from corrosion. Modern upscale fuel to everything else should be environmentally friendly. Decay elements must not poison the environment.
Expert opinion
To purchase high-quality gasoline, experts advise to adhere to a number of recommendations. This will avoid cheating on the part of sellers, maintain the engine for a long time. First of all, you need to pay attention to the reputation of the implementer. At gas stations that value their name, they will never sell base gasoline.
At such points of sale of fuel, there is always a buyer's corner, as well as relevant documentation on the right to sell gasoline. Even at old, but high-quality gas stations, repairs were made, there is a corresponding marking, warning signs and signs.
It should alert the unreasonably low cost of gasoline. The quality of this product, as mentioned above, is not worth saving.
Considering the recommendations of experts and technologists, we can conclude that gasoline is a fuel for an internal combustion engine, the durability of the motor depends on the choice of which.