Complete guide to the different types of gasoline and their uses

Introduction

In today’s world, different types of gasoline continue to be one of the main transportation fuels, powering both private vehicles and industrial machinery. However, not all gasoline are the same. There are different types with specific characteristics and uses, and understanding these differences is important to optimize performance, efficiency, and engine life.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the different types of gasoline available on the market, detailing their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages and specific applications. In addition, the importance of choosing the right type of gasoline for each vehicle will be addressed and the benefits and drawbacks of each option will be analyzed.

Types and uses of gasoline

The market offers three main types of gasoline: regular, premium, and super premium or 95. Each is distinguished by its chemical composition and octane rating, an indicator of the gasoline’s ability to resist premature detonation during combustion.

1. Regular gasoline: Also known as 87-octane gasoline, it is the most common and economical option. It is composed of a blend of short-chain hydrocarbons and additives that improve its performance and stability. This gasoline is suitable for most everyday vehicles with low- to medium-compression engines, such as compact cars, sedans, and SUVs. Its affordable price makes it an attractive alternative for drivers looking to economize.
2. Premium gasoline: Commercially known as 91 or 93 octane gasoline, it contains a greater amount of higher quality hydrocarbons and detergent additives that help keep the engine clean. This gasoline is recommended for vehicles with high-compression, sport or high-performance engines as it offers better performance, more power, and cleaner combustion. It can also help protect the engine from wear and deposit buildup.
3. Super premium or 95 gasoline: 95 unleaded gasoline is a type of fuel that has an octane rating of 95. The octane rating measures the fuel’s ability to resist premature detonation in the engine, known as “knock” or “detonation,” which can damage the engine and reduce its efficiency. An octane rating of 95 indicates that this gasoline is suitable for engines that require a higher level of resistance to detonation compared to regular gasoline.

Common gasoline applications and alternatives in everyday life and industry

• High-performance vehicles: Sports and luxury cars often require gasoline with a high octane rating, such as unleaded gasoline 95, to maximize performance and avoid detonation problems.
• Demanding conditions: Unleaded gasoline 95 is ideal for vehicles operating in demanding conditions, such as high temperatures or heavy loads, where a higher octane rating can help maintain engine performance.

Gasoline specifications

The quality of a gasoline storage tank is determined by a set of properties evaluated in the laboratory. These must comply with acceptable values and ranges according to the customer’s requirements and the parameters established by government authorities, such as the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of the Environment. The most important properties of gasoline are:

Octane numbers

Octane numbers measure the resistance of gasoline to detonation, being a key factor in the quality of the product. A gasoline with an anti-knock quality lower than that required by the vehicle causes the engine to piston, resulting in loss of power and possible damage to the engine. The following image shows the different gasoline octane ratings (87, 89, 93) at a service station.

Octane rating is expressed in terms of RON, MON or IAD:

• RON (Research Octane Number): indicates the anti-knock quality of gasoline under low severity conditions. It is determined by passing the sample through an octane machine.
  MON (Motor Octane Number): Measures the anti-knock quality under high severity conditions, also using an octane machine.
  ADI (Antiknock Index): It is the average between RON and MON. A high ADI, RON, or MON value indicates higher gasoline quality, resulting in better engine performance.

In short, the higher the octane number, the better the quality of the gasoline and the better the performance obtained in a combustion engine.

Volatility

Indicates the tendency of the fuel to vaporize or change from a liquid to a gaseous state, which affects the behavior of the vehicle. Volatility in gasoline types is established according to the environmental conditions of the place where they are consumed and the requirements of the vehicle fleet.

Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)

Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) measures the volatility of gasoline, that is, the amount of gasoline that can evaporate on its own under ambient conditions. A high RVP indicates that gasoline has a greater tendency to evaporate in storage tanks. However, during winter months, a high RVP is necessary to ensure that engines can start at low temperatures.

The distillation curve

Distillation provides information on how light or heavy a gasoline may be by indicating the presence of light or heavy components in the fuel. If the temperatures at which condensates are recovered are low, it means that there are more light components, indicating that the gasoline is light. Conversely, if the recovery temperatures are high, the gasoline is heavier and contains more heavy components.

These distillations indicate the quality of the oil and are based on the amount of material that boils at a given temperature range. IBP (Initial Boiling Point): Temperature at which the gasoline sample begins to boil and FBP (Final Boiling Point): Temperature at which the gasoline sample has completely evaporated.

The result of collecting the distilled volume at a given temperature produces a distillation curve as shown below¹:

The curve is defined with key points as:

• IBP: temperature Initial de Ebullicion.
• T10: Temperature at which 10% of the gasoline evaporates.
• T50: Temperature at which 50% of the gasoline evaporates.
• T90: Temperature at which 90% of the gasoline evaporates.
• FBP: Final boiling temperature.

These distillations help characterize the composition and quality of gasoline and represent the expected products of atmospheric and vacuum distillation. And they are important as they determine the yield of products that can be obtained when this crude is processed in a refinery. Possible standard distillation tests are:

• ASTM 2892 TBP (“True Boiling Point” ) distillation curve.
• ASTM D86 Distillation curve for light fractions.
• ASTM D1160 Distillation curve for heavy fractions.
• ASTM D5307 Distillation curve simulated from gas chromatography.

Other elements present

Gasoline types may contain compounds consisting of carbon atoms and other elements such as sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Many of these compounds are undesirable because of their polluting power. The main compounds of this type and the units in which they are measured are:

• Olefins: They are expressed as a percentage by volume (% by volume).
• Aromatics: They are expressed as a percentage by volume (% by volume).
• Benzene: Expressed as a percentage by volume (% by volume).
• Oxygen: Expressed as percentage by weight (% by weight).
• Sulfur: Expressed in percent by weight (% by weight).

These compounds are important to control in order to reduce contamination and improve gasoline quality.

Differences between types of gasoline

Gasoline is classified into different types according to its octane rating and specific additives. The main differences between the most common types of gasoline are explained below:

Regular gasoline

• Octane rating: Generally 87 (in the U.S.) or 91 (in Europe).
• Common Use: Ideal for most passenger vehicles with standard engines.
• Cost: The most economical option.
• Performance: Suitable for vehicles that do not require high anti-knock performance.
• Characteristics: Most widely available and used.

Premium gasoline

• Octane rating: Generally 91-93 (in the U.S.) or 95-98 (in Europe).
• Common Use: Recommended for vehicles with high-compression engines, such as sports and luxury cars.
• Cost: More expensive than regular gasoline due to its higher octane rating.
• Performance: Provides more efficient combustion, better acceleration, and power.
• Characteristics: Helps prevent engine knocking and is suitable for demanding driving conditions.

Super premium Gasoline

• Octane rating: Higher than 93 (in the U.S.) or higher than 98 (in Europe).
• Common Use: Used in some high-performance and luxury vehicles.
• Cost: The most expensive option due to its high octane rating. More expensive than 95 unleaded gasoline.
• Performance: Offers the best resistance to detonation and engine performance.
• Characteristics: Ideal for vehicles requiring maximum performance and engine protection.

What is the importance of choosing the right type of gasoline?

Selecting the right type of gasoline is vital to the performance, efficiency, and longevity of a vehicle’s engine. Here are the key reasons why this choice is important:

Engine performance

• Optimizing performance: Using the right gasoline ensures that the engine runs efficiently. Gasoline with the recommended octane rating prevents premature detonation, known as “knocking,” which can reduce engine power and affect engine performance.
• Combustion efficiency: The correct gasoline allows for a more complete and efficient combustion, which can reduce the engine’s power and affect its performance. The following image shows a mechanic with a digital tablet (Scanner) to check engine performance after making some adjustments.

Engine protection

• Damage prevention: Using gasoline with a lower octane rating than required can cause knocking, which can damage pistons and other internal engine parts. This can lead to costly repairs and shorten engine life.
• Engine longevity: Using gasoline with the right octane rating helps keep the engine in good condition, prolonging its life and reducing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs.

Fuel efficiency

• Fuel consumption: Adequate gasoline improves fuel efficiency, allowing the vehicle to get more miles per liter. This not only reduces fuel costs, but is also beneficial for the environment.
• Operating costs: Although higher octane gasoline can be more expensive, the increased fuel efficiency and reduced repairs can offset this additional cost in the long run.

Environmental impact

• Pollutant emissions: The right choice of gasoline can reduce pollutant gas emissions. Higher octane gasolines with specific additives can improve combustion and reduce the release of harmful substances into the environment.
• Regulatory compliance: Using the right gasoline ensures that the vehicle complies with environmental and emissions regulations established by government authorities.

Manufacturer’s recommendations

• Technical specifications: Vehicle manufacturers design engines to run on a specific type of gasoline. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations ensures that the vehicle operates optimally and avoids mechanical problems.
• Vehicle Warranty: Using a non-recommended type of gasoline may invalidate the vehicle’s warranty, leaving the owner without coverage for certain repairs.

Benefits and disadvantages of each type of gasoline

Each type of gasoline has its own benefits and disadvantages. Here are the main characteristics of regular gasoline, premium gasoline and super premium gasoline.

Regular gasoline

Benefits:

• Cost: It is the most economical option, making it affordable for most drivers.
  Availability: Widely available at almost all gas stations (see “Meet the world’s largest gas station“).
• Suitable for standard engines: Ideal for most passenger vehicles with standard engines that do not require high anti-knock performance.

Disadvantages:

• Lower performance: Does not provide the same combustion efficiency as higher octane gasolines.
• Increased risk of knocking: May cause knocking in high-compression engines, which can damage the engine and reduce engine life.

Premium gasoline

Benefits:

• Increased performance: Provides more efficient combustion, resulting in better acceleration and power.
• Engine protection: Helps prevent engine knock in high-compression vehicles, thus protecting internal engine components.
• Engine cleanliness: Often contains additives that help keep the engine clean and improve engine performance.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: More expensive than regular gasoline, which increases operating costs.
• Not always necessary: For vehicles that do not require high anti-knock performance, the use of this gasoline may not provide significant additional benefits.
  

Super Premium Gasoline.

Benefits:

• Maximum performance: Offers the best resistance to detonation and the best engine performance, ideal for high-performance and luxury vehicles.
• Better engine protection: Provides greater protection against knocking and engine wear, extending engine life.
• Advanced additives: Contains advanced additives that can improve combustion efficiency and keep the engine in optimum condition.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: The most expensive option, which may not be justifiable for all drivers.
• Availability: May not be available at all filling stations, especially in rural areas.
• Not always necessary: For some vehicles with low-compression engines, the use of 95 unleaded gasoline may not offer significant additional benefits.

Choosing the right type of gasoline is essential to maintaining the performance, efficiency and durability of a vehicle’s engine.

For more content on the topic, see the following video. Source: Everyday Elements.

Conclusions

Understanding the different types of gasoline and their characteristics is essential to making informed decisions when choosing the right fuel for your vehicle. Regular gasoline is an economical choice for most everyday vehicles, premium gasoline offers better performance and engine protection for high compression or high performance vehicles and Super Premiun which includes 95 unleaded gasoline is a versatile option, ideal for high performance and luxury vehicles, it contains advanced additives that can improve combustion efficiency and keep the engine in optimal condition.

Choosing the right type of gasoline can reduce polluting emissions, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint and promoting more sustainable practices in transportation and industry. Understanding and selecting the right gasoline not only improves engine performance, but also reduces fuel consumption and harmful gas emissions, benefiting the environment.

Additional recommendations

• Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the type of gasoline recommended by the manufacturer.
• Pay attention to driving conditions. If you drive in demanding conditions, such as on steep grades or with heavy loads, premium gasoline may offer better performance.
• Keep informed about gas prices at different gas stations to find the best deal.
• Consider the environmental impact of your choice. Premium gasoline tends to be cleaner burning than regular gasoline, which can reduce pollutant emissions.

Choose the right fuel and maximize your engine’s performance – learn more now!

References

1. https://www.ssecoconsulting.com/propiedades-del-petroacuteleo-crudo.html.