What is the BEST Fuel to Use in Your Car or Truck and WHY

Summary

In this informative video, ChrisFix clarifies the myths surrounding different types of gasoline, emphasizing the importance of using the manufacturer's recommended fuel to prevent engine damage and poor fuel economy. He explains that octane ratings indicate fuel's resistance to detonation, not energy content, and busts myths about fuel additives and the superiority of foreign fuels. The video also highlights the role of additives in maintaining engine cleanliness and the use of octane boosters in emergencies. Viewers are guided to check their vehicle's fuel requirements through stickers, owner's manuals, or dashboard indicators.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Use the fuel recommended by your car's manufacturer to avoid engine damage and ensure optimal performance.
• 💰 Higher octane fuel does not necessarily mean better fuel economy or more power; it simply indicates a higher resistance to engine knock.
• 🔍 Octane ratings measure a fuel's resistance to detonation, not its energy content, burning temperature, speed, or cleanliness.
• 🛠️ Detonation, or engine knock, can damage critical engine components like pistons, rings, valves, and the head gasket.
• 📈 Modern fuel-injected cars use knock sensors to adjust engine timing and prevent detonation, but it's better to use the correct fuel from the start.
• 🌏 There is a common misconception that fuel quality varies significantly between regions like America and Europe, but the octane levels are comparable.
• 🧪 Fuel additives are required by law and help keep engines clean by reducing carbon deposits on valves, injectors, and piston heads.
• 🏁 High-quality fuels like Shell's V-Power Nitro+ contain extra additives that can provide additional engine protection and cleaning benefits.
• 🔍 Check your car's fuel door, fuel filler cap, owner's manual, or dashboard for the manufacturer's fuel recommendation.
• ⚠️ If your car requires premium fuel, using regular can lead to detonation and engine damage, but octane boosters can provide a temporary solution.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video by ChrisFix?

The main purpose of the video is to educate viewers on what type of fuel they should use in their cars, explaining why, and debunking common myths about different types of gasoline.

Why should you not use the wrong type of fuel in your car?

Using the wrong type of fuel can damage the engine, lead to poor fuel economy, and potentially cause issues like detonation or engine knock, which can be harmful to the vehicle.

What does the octane rating of gasoline indicate?

The octane rating indicates the fuel's resistance to detonation or engine knock. It does not indicate the energy content, burning temperature, speed, or cleanliness of the fuel.

Why do some vehicles require higher octane fuel?

Vehicles with turbocharged, supercharged engines, or high compression engines are more likely to experience detonation with lower octane fuel, hence they require higher octane fuel to prevent engine knock.

What is a knock sensor and how does it work?

A knock sensor is a device in fuel-injected cars that listens for engine knock. When it detects knock, it signals the car's computer to adjust the engine timing to prevent further knock, thus protecting the engine.

What is the difference between the octane ratings in America and Europe?

In America, the octane rating is based on the pond pump octane number, while in Europe, it's based on the research octane number. Despite the difference in naming, the actual octane levels are comparable, with Europe's 95 octane similar to America's 89 and 93 octane.

Why are fuel additives important in gasoline?

Fuel additives are important because they help keep the engine clean by preventing the buildup of carbon deposits, which can lead to reduced efficiency, poor fuel atomization, and potential engine damage.

How can you determine the correct fuel to use in your car?

You can determine the correct fuel by checking the manufacturer's recommendation, which can be found on a sticker behind the fuel door, on the fuel filler cap, in the owner's manual, or sometimes indicated on the dashboard.

What should you do if you accidentally fill your car with the wrong fuel type?

If you accidentally fill your car with the wrong fuel type, you can use an octane booster to raise the octane level of the fuel in the tank. It's also important to drive gently and allow the car's knock sensor to adjust the engine timing to prevent damage.

What does 'E85' mean and when should it be used?

'E85' means 85% ethanol and should only be used in flex fuel vehicles. It is not the same as 85 octane gasoline and using it in a non-flex fuel vehicle can cause engine damage.

Why might a car that normally uses regular fuel require premium fuel in certain situations?

A car that normally uses regular fuel might require premium fuel if it has significant carbon buildup, has been modified, or has been tuned to perform differently. Always follow the advice of a professional tuner or mechanic in such cases.