Pickup truck owners are able to choose from an assortment of
fuels, all which works differently in a pickup. Not sure which fuel is best for
your vehicle? Continue reading for the answers to common questions about fuel.
Preignition, when gasoline ignites before the spark plug
fires, can cause substantial damage to an engine. When a truckmaker calls for a
particular octane level, that's the level at which the engine will operate
without preignition issues. Higher-octane gas may withstand preignition at
higher pressures, which is why many turbocharged engines require 91-octane
fuel. When utilizing a higher-than-recommended octane rating won't harm an
engine, it also generally won't supply any extra benefits for many vehicles.
For older or worn engines, or if a pinging noise can be observed from the engine,
running higher-octane fuel can extend the life of the engine.
What Octane Rating Should I Use?
Some motors can ping or pre-ignite under heavy loads but run
fine otherwise. If this is the case, running higher octane when hauling or
towing could be beneficial. If your truck employs diesel, this is a non-issue for you. Diesel engines don't
pre-ignite since they inject gas at the time of combustion.
What's Ethanol?
Ethanol fuel is a renewable fuel source produced from grain
or corn. It may be located at many gas channels and is prevalent in the
Midwest; a notice in the gas pump will state that the gas contains around 10
percent ethanol. Pure ethanol has an octane rating of 110, so adding this to
gas is a simple method to raise the octane rating. Some stations even offer you
an E85 choice; this gasoline is 85 percent ethanol.
How Does Ethanol Affect My Engine?
A vehicle needs to be properly equipped to operate E85.
Flex-fuel vehicles are made to deal with both E85 and normal petrol. Without
becoming too complicated, E85 has a much lower air-to-fuel ratio than petrol,
meaning that it requires more vapor than petrol for good combustion.
Additionally, it has a roughly 20 percent less energy per gallon than gasoline,
so running ethanol will lower gas mileage clearly. On the flipside, with E85
more fuel is pumped to find the proper air-to-fuel ratio, and it's other
properties that enable an engine to make more power. To operate E85, the fuel
must be recovered in different amounts into the engine. In addition, other system
modifications are needed to protect the fuel system hoses and connectors. On
the other hand, ethanol can dissolve deposits in the fuel system, which can
clog the very small ports in a carburetor. When using a carbureted engine, it's
best to utilize ethanol-free gasoline whenever possible.
What's Biodiesel Fuel?
Like ethanol, biodiesel is made of renewable energy
resources such as cooking fats and oils. Biodiesel is biodegradable and won't
contaminate water or soil if spilled.
How Will Biodiesel Affect My Engine?
Biodiesel and B20 have decreased emissions over standard
diesel fuel, which can be a big incentive for the environment. Biodiesel has
improved lubricating properties and will extend injector and engine life over
standard diesel fuel. Like ethanol, biodiesel is a better solvent than the
standard fuel. For vehicles with existing deposits in the gas, switching to B20
from standard diesel can lead to fuel filters to clog since it hastens and
dislodges deposits. While this isn't a major problem, it will require the fuel filter to be replaced often. Biodiesel can be
used in most modern diesel engines, but always check the operator's manual to
be sure. The extra solvent properties of biodiesel can damage some rubber
components and seals. If the car isn't recorded as being B20 compatible, stick
with standard diesel fuel to prevent damage.
What Exactly Does Leading Tier Mean?
The"high grade" fuel designation was first
implemented in 2004 for gas and fall of 2017 for petrol. Fuel ranked as high
tier signifies that the fuel meets requirements for minimal detergent and
maximum deposit amounts under specific test requirements. For owners, that
usually means the fuel they are buying will not cause excessive deposit buildup
over time. Purchasing top-tier 91-octane gasoline over top-tier 89-octane
gasoline will not supply more cleaning power because they meet the identical
test requirements. Top-tier diesel fuel has comparable inherent properties, but
it also enhances lubricity, stability, and
protection against water. Using top-tier fuels keeps an engine significantly
cleaner than using non-top-tier fuels. This decreases the demand for fuel
additives to clean out the engine and increases engine life.
If I Use Fuel Additives?
You will find a variety of fuel additives available for
gasoline and diesel engines. Depending upon the vehicle make and model, driving
customs, surroundings where the vehicle is controlled, its age, fuel type used
and lots of different factors, a fuel additive could be needed. There are
additives which help prevent diesel fuels from gelling at low temperatures and
additives that clean carbon deposits in the injectors, enhance octane ratings,
increase storage life and reduce corrosive properties. Some additives may be
blended together and used at the same time, though others should be used
independently. Additives may improve fuel mileage, reduce rough idling, enhance
power and extend the life of the fuel.
For vehicles in moderate environments, fuel additives must be needed only
occasionally to keep the motor running at its best. Vehicles used in harsh
environments or who sit for extended periods of time might need additives more
often. Fuel additives are proven to harm engines when used improperly, so be
sure to follow instructions when using additives for a pickup.
For engines that are not used regularly, or are only used
seasonally, it is important to take appropriate care with storage. Generally,
gasoline should be used within one month of purchase, but it might last six
months when stored properly. Diesel fuel should also be utilized within one
month when possible but can last up to 12 weeks with proper storage.
What is the Best Way to Store Fuel?
If you don't drive your truck frequently, maintain the gas tank
95 percent full to permit for expansion and contraction. Should you have to
store fuel for your pickup, it's imperative to use a correct airtight container
that has a little space for growth but not so much that there'll be a good deal
of water condensation. Fuel containers should be kept in a cool place that is
out of sunlight. Also, different additives have different recommendations for
storage. Make sure you check local security regulations about petrol storage to
ensure that you're not keeping it or in excessive amounts.
In case you have any additional questions about fuel, feel
free to list them in the comments section below and when our readers don't have
the answer, we'll be sure to chime in. Have you ever had any positive or
negative issues with additives? Have you experienced your vehicle not starting
because of gelled diesel fuel? Have you got fuel solutions we have not
mentioned here? Tell us so we can all gain from each other's experiences.