(NC)—In today's economic times, it's more important than ever to protect the investment in your vehicle. There are many misconceptions about fuels and maintenance that make it difficult to know how best to keep your vehicle in good running condition. Test your fuel knowledge to help avoid unnecessary repair or refueling costs.
1. Which statement is correct?
A. All gasolines are the same.
B. Low-quality gasolines can negatively affect engine performance.
C. Gasoline has no relation to engine performance.
Answer:
B. Gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine.
“A lower-quality gasoline leaves behind carbon deposits, called engine gunk, which can negatively affect engine performance,” confirms Ken Mitchell, an engineer for Shell Canada. “Protecting your engine from gunk is as simple as using a high-quality gasoline, like all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline, which help clean your engine as you drive.”
2. How can octane levels affect the performance of your engine?
A. Octane can prevent engine knocking.
B. Using the correct octane level for premium vehicles helps fuel economy.
C. Performance is not related to octane.
Answer:
A and B. When a lower octane fuel is used in an engine designed for higher octane, engine knocking may occur, causing the car to shudder and lose performance. Using the right octane for your engine ensures maximum fuel economy and fewer emissions.
3. Does speed affect fuel economy?
A. Yes, speed negatively affects fuel economy.
B. No, my engine burns gasoline no matter how quickly or slowly I drive.
Answer:
A. The faster you drive, the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume to maintain speed. Reducing your speed to 90 km/h from 110 km/h saves up to 20%* of your fuel.
*Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency Auto$mart Thinking program
