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These numbers are the octane rating of the fuel, as measured by the Research Octane Number (RON) and you’ll find the octane rating for your vehicle on a label inside the fuel door flap, or in the owner's manual.
The octane rating is the ability of the fuel to avoid uncontrolled engine combustion or 'knocking', that can damage engine components. Astute drivers might hear a pinging sound under hard acceleration from standstill or low speed. That is knocking.
Usually the higher the fuel octane, the greater its resistance to knocking, thanks to additional additives employed to deliver superior performance and engine efficiency.
Since the introduction of unleaded fuel in 1986, most vehicles have been engineered to run on what many of us call standard unleaded, or 91 RON, with higher performance engines demanding 95 RON or even 98 RON (Premium Unleaded) fuel.
While it’s vital to use at least the minimum manufacturer recommended octane level fuel to avoid any potential engine damage, I am sure some of you have wondered if there’s an advantage in using a higher RON fuel.
It is possible for some vehicles to travel further on a tank or feel like they’re performing better when using premium octane fuels, due to their blend of additives designed to keep the fuel system clean and optimise engine performance and efficiency.
Sophisticated, or ‘smart’ engine management systems, or ECUs, can automatically adjust the fuel and spark maps of the engine to make the most out of the higher octane rated fuel, while many older vehicles and those with basic ECU’s won’t gain any benefit by using higher octane fuels.
So, are the extra kilometres travelled or performance gained enough to cover the extra dollars when filling up?
As everyone drives their vehicle differently, it is hard to conclusively prove a higher octane fuel will improve performance or the distance travelled on a tank.
The easiest way is to do it yourself. Try a tank of fuel with a higher octane rating from what you’re currently using, say 91 to 95 or 95 to 98, zero your trip meter and try and stick to your normal driving routes and routines and see how far you get on a tank, or if you notice a boost in performance.
If there is a clear benefit in performance or you are saving money with the extra kilometres gained, you’ve had a win. If on the other hand there hasn’t been an enhancement in economy or performance, it’s probably best to stay with the octane rating fuel recommended by the manufacturer.
At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the additional cost.
