When it comes to the choice of fuel for your car (gasoline engines), your choices are usually down to two major ones, RON97 fuel or
RON95 fuel. In the past, there had been plenty of debate over both types of fuels and how they perform differently from each other. There have been claims that RON97 fuel performs better than RON95 fuel, and also helps clean engine components better. Some also claim that RON95 fuel is not as good as RON97 fuel as it is sold at a cheaper price, and thus perform at lower levels. Well, let me tell you that nothing could be further away from the truth than this. RON95 certainly does not perform less effectively compared to RON97 fuel, despite the lower price that each liter of RON95 commands. Let us look at how these two types of fuels differ now.
Research Octane Number (RON) is in reality the ability or rating of the specified fuel to withstand knocking or auto ignition within and internal combustion engine. The lower your RON is, the easier it becomes for your fuel to ignite within your engine. Thus the now-obsolete RON92 is the easiest to ignite when compared to RON95 and the hardest to ignite is most definitely RON97. High-performance cars and vehicles are designed to be more resistant to auto-ignition, thus they usually accept only fuel with higher RON figures, thus you need RON97 for these kind of vehicles.
These
high performance vehicles usually operate at higher temperatures, and your require fuel with higher RON figures to avoid scenarios such as early ignition (knocking) or premature ignition of fuel within the combustion area. Usually this happens when the engine’s temperature exceed the normal temperature, or your ignition timing does not follow the required figure. Knocking significantly lowers the efficiency of your engine and reduces its performance.
Most ordinary cars tend to operate at not so high temperatures, thus RON95 would suffice for them. The higher the RON number, your fuel would also burn less easily, and this could prove to be an extra cost for you as fuel consumption would be higher. Thus if your car’s manual states that your vehicle requires RON95 fuel, then you would do well to stick with this requirement instead of purchasing supposed “better” fuel for your vehicle (in reality it does not help your vehicle). You would not be helping your vehicle in any way by pumping in RON97 fuel when all you need is RON95. Do keep that in mind, and save more when you visit the petrol pump the next time!
RON : Frequently Asked Questions
What is RON ?
RON (Research Octane Number) is a rating of petrol. It determines a petrol’s ‘anti-knock’ quality or resistance to pre-ignition or detonation as it burns in the combustion chamber. Knocking is an abnormal combustion and should be prevented as it is damaging to the engine.
What vehicle types are able to use RON95?
Most vehicles are able to use RON95. However, it’s best to refer to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) recommendation in your car manual or check the back of the petrol filler lid of your car for the recommended octane rating.
I am a RON97 consumer. Won’t switching to RON95 damage my vehicle’s engine?
The main difference between RON97 and RON95 is their octane ratings, indicated by the number in the product name.
Using petrol of a lower RON may or may not hurt your car. You just need to find a suitable fit for your car and driving style. It’s best to refer to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) recommendation in your car manual or check the back of the petrol filler lid of your car for the recommended octane rating.
Should I empty my car’s petrol tank before refueling with RON95?
This depends on the amount of remaining petrol in the petrol tank. The smaller the amount, the faster you can derive the benefits of RON95.
What is the effect on the performance of the engine if petrol of a different RON is mixed together?
It is not recommended to mix different RON levels as this might result in sub-optimal performance. For example, if you have added a lower-than-recommended RON in the mixture, this can result in knocking and can cause a loss of power.
What is the impact of RON95 usage on the environment?
At present, there is insufficient data to adequately prove that a higher or lower RON grade poses an environmental issue.
Do I have to always pick the highest octane rating petrol for my vehicle?
The highest octane rating may not necessarily be the best for your car. You should choose a suitable fit for your car and driving style. It’s best to refer to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) recommendation in your car manual or check the back of the petrol filler lid of your car for the recommended octane rating.
Does a higher RON indicate a more environmentally-friendly fuel product? How about greater power?
The true difference between the grades of petrol lies in an engine’s requirement. This does not guarantee a promise of greater power or a more environmental option as the number increases. This infers that cars using RON products greater than their engine requirements may not be necessarily gaining better performance than if they adhered to their car Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) recommendations.
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