Damon Mcknight
Australia is a nation of car lovers, with the average passenger vehicle driving around 12,600 km per year. With so many cars on the road, it's no surprise that there are a variety of different fuels available at local gas stations. The type of fuel your car takes depends on a range of factors, including the make and model of your car, the age of the engine, and the type of engine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Types | Petrol, Diesel, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), E10, E85, Hydrogen |
| Petrol Octane Levels | 91, 95, 98 |
| Petrol Types | Regular Unleaded, Premium Unleaded (PULP) |
| Premium Unleaded Octane Levels | 95, 98 |
| Diesel Grade | One grade of diesel |
| Ethanol-blended Petrol | E10 (10% ethanol), E85 (85% ethanol) |
| LPG-compatible Vehicles | Old Falcon, Commodore, Kingswood taxis, Holden Commodore monofuel, Ford Falcon EcoLPI |
| Electric Recharging | Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan LEAF |
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What You'll Learn
Premium unleaded vs. regular unleaded
In Australia, the octane ratings for fuel range from standard 91 octane unleaded petrol to premium 98 octane, with intermediate options like 95 premium unleaded petrol and E10 (94 octane). The octane rating measures a fuel's ability to resist engine knock—the premature burning of fuel in the engine, often accompanied by a knocking sound. This resistance is vital, particularly concerning an engine's compression ratio, which is the difference in cylinder volume when the piston is at its highest and lowest points. Higher compression ratios, typical in modern engines, necessitate fuels with higher octane ratings to prevent knock and maintain engine efficiency and power.
The Research Octane Number (RON) determines how much resistance fuel has to ignite in an engine. If it burns too quickly in an engine, it can cause pinging, which can ultimately damage vital parts of your car. The higher the octane number is, the more resistant the fuel is to pinging in your engine. In Australia, 91 fuel has much looser regulations when it comes to particular chemicals, including sulphur, which can damage sensitive emissions control components on more modern vehicles. This is why 95 is the minimum recommended fuel for many cars.
Premium 98-octane fuel is the highest quality unleaded fuel commonly available in Australia. Compared to 91 and 95, it has undergone even more refinement and filtering to provide more efficient engine operation, greater knock resistance, less pollution, as well as higher engine power and performance. Typically, vehicles that state they require a minimum of 98-grade fuel are very high-performance models that feature turbochargers, superchargers, or high-revving motors with ultra-high compression. Using 98 in these vehicles unlocks peak performance. Vehicles that specify lower grades of petrol can often run just fine on 98 but may not have the ability to take full advantage of the extra knock resistance offered by 98 fuel, so you’re just wasting money putting this fuel in a lower-grade vehicle.
While premium fuels are often marketed for their engine-cleaning capabilities, this is not their primary benefit. Modern vehicles come equipped with fuel filters to remove impurities. Regular servicing and occasional long drives are more effective for maintaining engine cleanliness and preventing carbon build-up. Understanding the differences between premium petrol and regular unleaded fuel, including octane ratings and engine requirements, is crucial for your vehicle's optimal performance and longevity.
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Octane ratings
The Research Octane Number (RON) determines how much resistance fuel has to ignite in your engine. If it burns too quickly in an engine, it can cause pinging, which can damage parts of your car. The higher the octane number, the more resistant the fuel is to pinging in your engine.
In Australia, 91 fuel has looser regulations regarding certain chemicals, including sulphur, which can damage sensitive emissions control components on modern vehicles. This is why 95 is the minimum recommended fuel for many cars. Running 91 in a vehicle that is meant to use higher grades of fuel may result in knocking, or pre-detonation, which can cause severe engine damage over time.
Premium 98-octane fuel is the highest quality unleaded fuel commonly available in Australia. Compared to 91 and 95, it has undergone more refinement and filtering to provide more efficient engine operation, greater knock resistance, less pollution, and higher engine power and performance. Typically, vehicles that state they require a minimum of 98-grade fuel are very high-performance models that feature turbochargers, superchargers, or high-revving motors with ultra-high compression.
It is important to note that using high octane fuel in an engine designed for low octane fuel will not significantly improve performance. The engine will adapt slightly, but the extra cost of the premium fuel is not offset by the slight increase in economy.
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Diesel
There are also biodiesel and premium diesel fuels available on the market. However, you should check your manufacturer's guidelines, as your engine may not be designed to work with some of the premium additives and ethanol mixes.
In Australia, there is currently only one grade of diesel available. However, there are plans to introduce hydrogen refuelling in the country, although most vehicle owners won't need to worry about this for a few years.
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Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
In Australia, LPG primarily consists of propane, while in other countries, it may contain butane as well. LPG has a lower energy density per litre than petrol or fuel oil, so the equivalent fuel consumption is higher. However, many governments, including Australia's, impose less tax on LPG than on petrol or fuel oil, which helps offset the greater consumption of LPG.
To use LPG in a car, a conversion is typically required. This involves adding an LPG tank, along with additional piping, wiring, and accessories. Some systems will start on petrol and then switch to LPG automatically, while others allow the driver to choose the fuel type. The conversion also requires adding a converter to change the liquid gas into vapour, unless it is a liquid phase direct injection (LPDI) model. An LPG conversion intake manifold or injector must also be added to deliver LPG to the combustion chambers.
The cost of an LPG conversion can vary depending on the type of vehicle and the system chosen. Basic conversions can cost as little as AUD $1,500, while top-of-the-line injection systems can reach up to AUD $5,000. It is important to note that not all automobile engines are suitable for use with LPG, and LPG-fueled engines may be more prone to valve wear if they are not suitably modified.
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Ethanol blends
Ethanol has a number of important chemical and physical properties that need to be considered in a vehicle's design. For example, the use of ethanol-blended petrol in engines impacts the air/fuel ratio because of the additional oxygen molecules within the ethanol’s chemical structure. Vehicles with carburetor fuel systems may experience hot fuel handling concerns, and the use of ethanol blended petrol in fuel injection systems will result in early deterioration of components such as injector seals, delivery pipes, and fuel pumps.
To avoid operational issues, vehicle owners should use the fuel recommended by the manufacturer and the vehicle should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing procedures using genuine replacement parts. This will ensure that the fuel and emission control systems of vehicles continue to operate as designed on ethanol-blend fuels.
It is important to note that E85, which contains up to 85% ethanol, is generally only suitable for purpose-built vehicles. While it is more environmentally friendly and may be cheaper than 98 petrol, it is only available at select service stations and older engines might have to be converted to be compatible.
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Frequently asked questions
The type of fuel your car takes will depend on the make and model. You can check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations. You can also check for a label inside the fuel flap, which will tell you what type of fuel to use.
These numbers represent the octane level of the fuel. The higher the octane number, the more resistant the fuel is to pinging in your engine. 91 octane fuel is generally suitable for regular engines, while 95 and 98 octane fuels are better for high-performance cars.
E10 is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded petrol. It has a higher octane rating than regular unleaded petrol, but it may not be suitable for older engines.
Diesel is a common fuel for SUVs and work utes. It is also becoming increasingly popular for luxury European car brands.
