Several fuel manufacturers tout the benefits of using enhanced gasoline. But does everything line up with the hype? An expert from Za Rulem, the long-standing and highly respected automotive publication in Russia, outlines the claims and weighs in with a clear assessment of these promises.
The claim is often made that higher octane in improved gasoline can boost fuel efficiency and lessen engine emissions in modern vehicles. There is also talk of enhanced fuel increasing engine performance by unlocking additional internal energy. In reality, the latter claim is unclear and not always well explained by manufacturers.
A common point in advertisements is that improved fuel lets drivers go several kilometers farther on a single tank and also enhances power. Specific figures are sometimes shown, such as an 11% increase in fuel consumption and a 13.8% rise in power. In practice, these exact numbers do not typically reflect real-world results, and the stated benefits are not consistently realized. Industry experts at Za Rulem emphasize that the real advantages of improved fuels are not clearly disclosed by manufacturers.
Expert opinion
Mikhail Kolodochkin, a driving expert, explains that the primary effect of improved gasolines lies in their high detergency. Such fuels, when used over time, help remove deposits and prevent new buildup. On older engines, these detergents can clean the fuel system and restore engine characteristics close to the manufacturer’s stated values.
It is important to note that octane numbers do not equate to calories. In hot weather, higher octane can prevent detonation and may help preserve the engine’s rated power, but it should not be used beyond the engine’s specification.
In reality, gaining additional kilometers per tank at a single station is possible mainly if the engine has accumulated deposits that can be cleaned through a prolonged period of using improved gasoline. This is not a universal outcome for every vehicle or every journey.
Therefore, using improved fuel is worthwhile from time to time. Detergent additives are a practical benefit, and there has not yet been any confirmed evidence of negative effects on engines from such fuels.