If you drive a car or ride a motorcycle, at one point or another, you have surely been asked if you would like to fill your vehicle’s petrol tank with normal petrol or with premium petrol. If you’re wondering what the differences between normal petrol & premium petrol are, this blog is for you.
In the UAE, three types or variants of petrol are available — EPlus 91, Special 95 & Super 98. It can sometimes be confusing to choose one. Most fuel pumps promote the premium fuels on sale. But does your car need it? Read on to know the differences between normal and premium petrol and know if your car actually needs premium petrol.
Price
Normal Petrol | EPlus 91
It is the least expensive petrol variant in the UAE. Prices for EPlus 91 usually stay below AED 3 per litre. Getting a full tank of petrol costs between AED 160 & AED 300 depending on the size of the fuel tank.
Premium Petrol | Special 95 & Super 98
As expected, users pay a premium for premium fuel. In the UAE, Special 95 is the mid-range variant of petrol and Super 98 is the most expensive. Prices are typically higher than AED 3 per litre. A tank full of petrol can cost between AED 165 & AED 310. While there isn’t a big difference in the price in the UAE, the difference is pretty big in many other nations. Check out the current petrol price in the UAE.
Chemical Composition
Normal Petrol | EPlus 91
The number 91 is the octane rating of this petrol variant. A lower octane rating number signifies less tolerance towards high compression. When low-octane fuel is used in a high-compression engine, the fuel combusts earlier than expected inside the cylinders of the engine and this leads to engine knocking. It could even cause heavy damage in engines with high compression and low tolerance.
If you use low-octane fuel in mainstream cars 91, there are little to no chances of the engine getting damaged because of the fuel. However, if you use it in supercars or sports cars, there are chances of the engine getting damaged.
Premium Petrol | Special 95 & Super 98
Premium fuels have a higher octane rating, which enables the petrol to withstand higher levels of compression. This is exactly what high-compression engines need. Hence, premium fuels are more suited to supercars and sports cars. Special 95 is good enough for all stock sports cars while Super 98 is good for all standard supercars. However, highly-tuned cars with turbocharged or supercharged engines could do with a higher octane fuel.
Performance
Normal Petrol | EPlus 91
It would be incorrect to say that usage of normal petrol leads to lower performance levels. Normal petrol or EPlus 91 brings with it adequate performance for mainstream cars with a relatively lower compression engine. Your typical family hatchback, sedan, or SUV would never complain about normal fuel being used and the engine will continue to produce the same power output levels as quoted by the manufacturer.
The usage of premium fuel in a normal car wouldn’t lead to any noticeable increase in performance levels. However, it is quite the opposite when it comes to sports cars or supercars.
Premium Petrol | Special 95 & Super 98
If normal fuel is used in a sports car or supercar with a high-compression engine, users will see a noticeable drop in the power output and performance. These engines work best with premium fuels and it is suggested that users fuel up with Special 95 or Super 98.
Efficiency
Normal Petrol | EPlus 91
Most hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs will function efficiently irrespective of the fuel used to power them. The kilometres per litre figure will remain the same irrespective of whether one uses normal fuel or premium fuel. However, since premium fuel costs are a little higher, the cost of running per kilometre increases ever so slightly. On that note, here are a few tips to increase fuel efficiency and save money on petrol.
Premium Petrol | Special 95 & Super 98
Premium petrol is the most efficient fuel for high-compression engines. Using normal fuel in a high-compression engine leads to premature combustion and this will in turn lead to inefficient use of the fuel & air mixture. In addition, the engine could also overheat. Larger, high-revving engines simply work better with premium petrol.
Conclusion
Normal Petrol | EPlus 91
For most cars, there is no real need to go ahead and fill up with premium fuel. Most road-going cars will run absolutely fine with normal fuel. If you do fill up with premium fuel, it will do harm to the engine. However, there are no tangible gains of using the more expensive petrol.
Premium Petrol | Special 95 & Super 98
Premium fuel works best in sports cars and supercars. These vehicles won’t run well with normal fuel and some of the tuned models might not even run on normal fuel. Using premium fuels in such cars results in a tangible gain in performance and it also increases engine longevity.
If you are on the lookout for a new or used car, check out the greatest selection of used cars in the UAE & new cars in the UAE.
Also Read:
– All You Need To Know About The Mercedes-Benz G-Class
– Top 10 SUVs To Buy In The UAE
– All You Need To Know About The Toyota Land Cruiser
