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.