Did You Know? - Use the Right Fuel Following Vehicle Machine Specification

Why must fuel octane comply with manufacturer specifications?

Using fuel that doesn't match your engine's specifications can lead to various problems. One common issue is knocking. Knocking occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites prematurely, causing a rattling sound in the engine. Prolonged knocking can result in engine damage.

Fuel octane is a measure of a fuel's ability to resist pre-ignition. If you use fuel with a lower octane rating than your engine requires, you may experience knocking. Conversely, using fuel with a higher octane rating than necessary can lead to fuel dilution, which can damage the engine and increase fuel consumption.

Additionally, you can find the engine specifications and compression ratio in your vehicle's owner's manual.

In modern vehicles, anti-knocking technology is included, allowing the engine to adapt to fuel that does not meet its specifications. This is achieved by automatically adjusting the engine’s timing based on the octane rating of the fuel used, thereby minimizing knocking. However, using fuel that does not match the specifications can still lead to increased knocking. Over time, this can cause wear on engine components and potentially lead to premature damage to certain parts.

Conversely, using fuel with an excessively high ratio of octane number can also negatively affect the engine, as it may lead to fuel dilution. In this condition, the gasoline does not burn completely and can contaminate the engine oil. As a result, the oil becomes increasingly diluted, reducing its effectiveness in lubricating engine components. Additionally, this can lead to increased fuel consumption.

Hopefully, the information above can enrich your insight about fuel octane filling in accordance with vehicle machine specifications. If you need further explanation regarding insurance products from MSIG Indonesia, please contact us at 021 – 2523110 and we will be happy to help you.