Repair may cost 1m rubles: Avoid 92-octane
The fuel shortage at gas stations across the country has forced many drivers accustomed to using 95-octane fuel to consider switching to 92-octane. Many take this risk, and in car chat rooms, discussions about mixing the two grades are in full swing.
But such a decision could ultimately lead to a car breakdown and repair costs in the hundreds of thousands of rubles (thousands of dollars at current rates).
Sergei, a mechanic at a Yaroslavl service station, explained to our colleagues at 76.RU what using unsuitable or low-quality fuel could mean for your wallet.
Who can and cannot use 92-octane
When choosing fuel, you need to rely on your car«s specifications. If the manufacturer intended the car to use 92-octane, you can safely fill it with 92-octane even if you usually use 95-octane.
«There is nothing wrong with that. But if the car is designed to run on fuel no lower than 95-octane, then engine problems can occur. There will be increased detonation, which modern engines do not like, especially those with a high compression ratio. The knock sensors will send incorrect data to the control unit, which will incorrectly adjust the fuel-air mixture. The engine will shake, and extra vibrations mean extra wear on the engine»s lifespan,« explained Sergei.
Engine detonation is the explosive, not smooth, ignition of the fuel-air mixture in a cylinder.
According to the mechanic, mixing different fuels in the tank, such as 92-octane and 100-octane, also has a negative effect on the car«s condition.
«For almost all modern cars, 95-octane is, so to speak, the lowest grade. It is better to drive on 100-octane or 98-octane,» the mechanic said.
«As a result — engine destruction»
How long a car will run on 92-octane not intended for it depends on the fuel quality.
«Modern cars have catalytic converters and environmental systems. New gasoline engines have an EGR valve. All of this will eventually clog, leading to costly repairs. It»s good if a person manages to replace the catalytic converter in time and fix the problem. Otherwise, as a result — engine destruction,« the mechanic said.
The time interval between filling with unsuitable fuel and malfunctions varies. It depends on how often the car is serviced and the condition of the engine.
«For some, it»s enough to fill up, drive 100 kilometers, or even less than a kilometer, and that«s it: the engine stops. Someone will make it to the nearest town. Everyone services their engines differently. Some don»t change the oil for 15,000 kilometers of mileage, in which case the person won«t even have time to drive off from the gas station. Others» cars will last longer: if the person services it on time and with quality materials,« Sergey said.
How Euro-3 gasoline affects a car
Currently, almost all gas stations in the country sell Euro-5 class fuel. Due to the shortage, authorities have allowed the production of low-quality Euro-3 fuel with high sulfur content and other impurities. It is detrimental to modern cars.
«That is, this fuel is old. Such fuel was used in the era of carburetor engines, which could »digest rocks«. Modern engines in almost any car, regardless of price segment, are more advanced and complex. They contain more sensors and parts to be more powerful, work faster, and better respond to driver demands,» the specialist explained.
When using «dirty» gasoline, the fuel system will eventually clog with sulfur and other deposits, disrupting the spray pattern and leading to injector failure. Injectors are high-precision electromagnetic or mechanical devices for metered injection and atomization of fuel under pressure into the combustion chamber or intake manifold of the engine.
According to the mechanic, the consequences of using low-quality fuel are already noticeable.
«There are already cars that filled up with such gasoline and are gradually starting to behave incorrectly. The fuel grade does have an effect. It»s not good either,« Sergey said.
Information about the fuel quality class should be provided at the gas station. Fuel documents are usually publicly available or at the station«s cash register. In them, the designation K5 indicates Euro 5 class, K3 — Euro 3.
Don«t skimp on maintenance
According to the mechanic, it«s better to immediately pay attention to any changes in the car»s operation. This will help save a large sum on repairs in the future.
Don«t ignore timely cleaning of the fuel system. A gasoline flush every six months is required for all cars that have passed the 100,000-kilometer mark.
«It makes sense to flush the injectors, change filters, and not neglect service. It»s better to service the car a little more often, change the fuel filter more often. I understand it«s quite an expensive procedure, but the better we service everything, the longer it will last. And the financial proportion of repairs will be lower. Spend a few thousand now on replacing the same filter, or later several hundred thousand, or even up to a million rubles (about $10,000 at current rates), on engine repair,» Sergey said.
The oil system also requires care. Euro-3 fuel reduces the quality of engine oil.
«There are special additives to increase the octane number. But you need to buy them not from marketplaces, but good ones, from well-known brands, time-tested. Because you can only make the situation worse. You have no idea what»s in those pills,« the mechanic warned.
How to save fuel
Also, the service station listed ways to save fuel:
Smooth acceleration without flooring it — free savings of up to 30%. Sharp pressing pours fuel into the cylinders with reserve.
Speed 80–100 km/h — at higher speeds aerodynamics start to slow the car, fuel consumption sharply increases.
Correct tire pressure — the engine can turn the wheels more easily.
Replace spark plugs. Poor spark equals incomplete combustion. Some fuel escapes into the muffler. New spark plugs restore power and economy.
Clean injectors: clogged injectors don«t spray fuel, they pour it in a stream. Cleaning restores the »mist«, fuel is injected economically and burns completely.
Replace air filter. A dirty filter means lower engine power, you push the gas harder, increasing consumption.
Oil of the correct viscosity — more noticeable in winter, but now every 100 grams counts.
Tidy up the cabin and trunk — a minor but weight savings.
Clean the throttle body. An effective measure for saving fuel in traffic jams and in the city.
Replace fuel filter. Protect injectors from dirt — increase vehicle lifespan.
More about the fuel shortage
Searching for gasoline and hour-long waits in queues have become commonplace for residents of Arkhangelsk. We spoke with drivers at city gas stations and found out how they have adapted to the new reality.
In the Arkhangelsk region, 92 tank cars of fuel have been sent. Part should be delivered to remote districts, including Pinezhye, where only two gas stations remain, temporarily serving only special equipment and buses.
The authorities of Arkhangelsk published a list of useful services and phone numbers where you can find out about the availability of fuel at city gas stations. The administration reported whether there is enough fuel to maintain the city.
At the same time, at the Tatneft gas station in Arkhangelsk, from July 16, gasoline is no longer sold into canisters. Previously, gas stations had a limit of 20 liters per fill.
The regional Ministry of Fuel and Energy and Housing and Utilities denied rumors about mobile gas stations: they are not officially available.
High gasoline prices were noticed at gas stations in Pinezhye, in Onega, Arkhangelsk, and in the Leshukonsky district (there it is the most expensive at 150 rubles per liter, about $1.50 at current rates).
In the Onega district, passenger transport by ships was temporarily reduced due to a shortage of diesel fuel.
Queues for fuel gather daily not only in the capital of Pomorye, but also in Severodvinsk and across the region. They are being filmed on video.
Not only passenger cars are waiting in queues at gas stations, but also special equipment.
An official from Kotlas called for saving on grass mowing in the city due to the fuel shortage.
Small aircraft in Russia have faced problems due to fuel shortages: we found out what«s happening in Arkhangelsk.
We are collecting all about the fuel situation in the Arkhangelsk region in a separate story.
