|
|
(NAPSI)-Whether you drive an economy car, SUV or a sports car, chances are your vehicle represents one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime. Yet many drivers don't give a second thought to the type of gasoline they put into their tanks, even though using the right type of fuel is an important aspect of overall car care.
To help you make an informed decision the next time you pull up to the pump, take the following quiz to help separate fuel fact from fuel fiction.
1. Fact or Fiction? It doesn't matter what brand of gasoline you use in your vehicle, because all gasoline is about the same.
2. Fact or Fiction? All gasoline contains additives, but that may not be enough to keep an engine clean and working properly.
3. Fact or Fiction? The only cars that benefit from premium gasoline are high-performance and luxury vehicles.
4. Fact or Fiction? Your driving habits and where you live can have an impact on the grade of gasoline you should use in your vehicle.
Answers:
1. FICTION-All gasolines are not the same. Gasoline is composed of two primary components -the base fuel and the additive. While on a regional basis the base fuel may be similar between two or more brands, the additive typically is different. According to several automakers, additives with more sophisticated and higher levels of cleaning agents, such as the proprietary additives used in all Shell fuels, can help protect vehicle engines from harmful carbon deposits that are known to decrease engine performance.
2. FACT-While all gasolines should contain enough detergency to meet minimum government standards, not all automakers believe the minimum detergency standard is adequate. To raise the bar on fuel quality and help vehicle engines achieve optimal performance and reduced emissions, BMW, Honda, General Motors and Toyota recommend filling up with a gasoline that meets the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline standard. This new standard requires added detergency above the minimum government standards. For example, all Shell fuels meet the TOP TIER standard, and Shell V-Power gasoline goes even further. It has more than five times the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by government standards, so it actively cleans for better performance.
3. FICTION-While the stereotype of high-performance engines requiring premium gasoline is generally true, there are many exceptions. Different cars may require different levels of octane, which is the measurement of a gasoline's ability to resist engine knock-a rattling or pinging sound that results from uncontrolled combustion in the engine. Whether you drive a luxury sedan or an old truck, the right level of octane should help prevent engine knock and help ensure optimal performance. It may even help compensate for minor mechanical issues that are temporarily raising the octane requirement of an engine. To determine the appropriate octane level or grade of gasoline for your vehicle, be sure to check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.
4. FACT-According to the American Petroleum Institute, several factors can have an effect on how gasoline performs in your engine, including driving habits, the amount of miles on the vehicle's odometer, climate and geography. For example, if your engine slightly knocks during everyday driving but now you're hauling heavy loads, you may want to choose a higher octane grade of gasoline. In addition, octane requirements are generally lower in higher altitudes. So if you live in a mountainous region, the octane level of the gasoline you purchase in your area has been adjusted to compensate for the altitude differences.
To learn more about gasoline and the benefits of using high-quality Shell fuels, visit www.shell.com/us/motorists.