a. Gasoline has feelings
“Sensitivity” in gasoline is a technical term, not a figure of speech. The key property is its octane number. The higher the octane, the better the fuel resists knocking and detonation.
Octane is measured by two methods: motor octane and research octane. Research octane (RON) is always higher than motor octane (MON). The difference between these two is called the sensitivity of gasoline. Lower sensitivity means better resistance to detonation across operating conditions.
The motor test simulates highway driving, while the research method mirrors urban driving. So lowering sensitivity improves performance in both regimes. Interestingly, AI-92 often shows better sensitivity than AI-95 or AI-98 in this context.
Sensitivity of different gasolines
| Petrol | HMO | EYES | Sensitivity |
| AI-92 | 83 | 92 | 9 |
| AI-95 | 85 | 95 | ten |
| AI-98 | 88 | 98 | ten |
2. You can’t ruin gasoline with sugar
In a classic Franco-Italian comedy, a prankster pours a packet of sugar into a neighbor’s tank. The idea is to clog fuel lines and filters. The movie makes the point, yet a simple test shows that sugar does not dissolve in gasoline. While driving, granulated sugar tends to stay in a layer near the tank bottom rather than mix evenly with the fuel.
The only scenario that could create trouble is if sugar meets water, which is present in small amounts inside most tanks. Our tests showed that even then the outcome is not catastrophic.
3. Gas can freeze
Basic guidance on freezing is straightforward. The approximate freezing point is around minus 70 degrees Celsius. In practice, gasoline thickens unevenly and may crystallize as temperatures drop. Current standards suggest engines do not need to operate below minus 25 to minus 30 degrees Celsius, so a comfortable safety margin exists for most climates.
4. Our octane is cooler than American
Across the United States the AKI index is the arithmetic mean of RON and MON. When a vehicle calls for 91 AKI, it is often best to consider about AI-95. Here is how the numbers compare:
- AI-92 corresponds to AKI 87
- AI-95 corresponds to AKI 91
- AI-98 corresponds to AKI 93
5. First expense item
Americans spend a large amount on motor fuels, a figure that underscores its role in daily life. Fuel remains one of the largest consumer goods categories by turnover, with coffee close behind in some markets.
6. gasoline spoils
Modern gasolines can lose their original properties faster than older blends that used additives such as tetraethyl lead. Current guidelines suggest a storage period of about one year from manufacture for gasoline of any brand. There is no formal octane-based or climate-based classification. Past references from decades ago did note longer shelf lives for certain octane ranges in specific regions, but current practices favor shorter, more practical timelines.
So a practical rule is not to let fuel sit unused for extended periods. It is wise to rotate stock and avoid long-term storage where possible.
- “Driving” can be read in viber