Difference between premium petrol and normal petrol

Posted on: Dec 26, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Difference between premium petrol and normal petrol

For petrolheads, even the minutest detail matters and makes a lot of difference. While someone else might see it as only a small difference or no difference at all, a true petrol head and sense and feel the difference. This holds good for a lot of things, such as the suspension setup, the kind of tyres that they use, additives for boosting the performance, premium petrol vs normal petrol, and so on. And petrolheads do not compromise when it comes to new car insurance policies as well.

The very first time you visit a petrol bunk, the biggest confusion that one has, is whether to opt for premium petrol or normal petrol. For a lot of car users, the confusion remains even after extended use of the car. If you also aren’t too sure about the differences and which one to opt for, here are all the details that you need to know.

Before we get to the differences between premium and regular petrol, it can be useful to know what petrol is made up of. Petrol is made of hydrocarbons such as paraffin, olefins, and naphthenes. The process of catalytic cracker is used to create these hydrocarbons. The process breaks down big molecules of hydrocarbons into smaller molecules.

A catalyst then vaporises the smaller molecules and then petrol is extracted from crude oil. Once the extraction is complete, a few additives are mixed with petrol to refine it further. Better quality petrol ensures that there are no carbon deposits in the engine block.

What is premium petrol?

A higher octane number in petrol differentiates premium petrol from regular petrol. In general, the octane number of premium petrol is 91 or higher. Apart from a higher octane number, premium petrol also has some additives. These additives ensure that the engine runs smoothly and there is no sludge formation in the engine.

What the octane number is the next question that one might have. Octane number signifies the anti-knocking property of a fuel or igniting prematurely. Simply put, a higher number shows that the fuel is less likely to cause knocking in the engine. Knocking is the premature ignition of fuel. Thus, higher-octane petrol is ideal for high-performance vehicles. And it should not come as a surprise; premium petrol costs more than normal petrol.

Irrespective of which fuel you use, it is pertinent that you opt for new car insurance for your vehicle. It will protect your car against a lot of potential hazards.

What is normal petrol?

If you have guessed it by now, you are right. Normal petrol is of lower octane as compared to premium petrol. Normal petrol has an octane rating of 87. Also, unlike premium petrol, normal petrol does not have any additives. These two factors lead to a lower price of normal petrol when compared with premium petrol.

Normal petrol is ideal for cars with low-compression engines. At the same time, it is not suitable for high-performance cars.

Difference between premium and normal petrol

Here are some of the major differences between both types of petrol.

1. Octane

Premium petrol has an octane rating of 91 or higher, whereas normal petrol has an octane number of 87.

2. Price

Premium petrol is more expensive than normal petrol.

3. Additives

Premium petrol has a few additives and detergents, which can prevent the formation of carbon and sludge in the engine, whereas normal petrol does not have any such additives.

4. Engine knocking

Premium petrol has lower chances of engine knocking as compared to normal petrol.

5. Car suitability

Premium petrol is ideal for high-performance cars, as it helps with performance and efficiency. On the other hand, normal petrol is ideal for everyday cars with low-compression engines.

Good quality petrol will prevent the formation of any carbon and sludge in the engine. Similarly, if you want to protect your car, you must opt for comprehensive insurance. A Comprehensive car insurance plans offer all-round protection for your car, against a lot of potential hazards.

Different types of petrol that you can buy in India

Here are the different types of petrol that you can buy in India.

1. Normal petrol (87 octane)

2. Power (87 octane + additive)

3. Premium petrol (91 octane)

4. Extra premium petrol (95 octane)

5. Extra premium petrol (97 octane)

The octane number of extra premium petrol largely depends on the company that you are buying the petrol from.

Which fuel should I use for my car?

This is an eternal debate that a lot of car owners have, should I opt for premium petrol or normal petrol? Premium petrol has its benefits and isn’t merely marketing gimmicks, as some people tend to believe. However, the usage comes down to you and your car manufacturer.

One of the first things that you need to do is open the manual of your car, provided by the manufacturer. All the manufacturers mention a specific type of petrol for their car. If they recommend higher octane petrol for the car, you must use higher octane petrol.

However, if they recommend normal petrol, you can save yourself a lot of money by not opting for premium petrol. Using premium petrol will not increase the fuel efficiency or performance of the car. However, the engine will run a bit smoother, thanks to the additives and detergents.

On the other hand, if you own a premium car or high-performance car, you must opt for premium petrol or, in some cases, extra premium petrol. Depending on the car and its manufacturer, the recommended octane can be 93 or higher. If you own such cars, opting for normal petrol is not a good idea.

Choosing the right insurance

While choosing the right type of fuel for your car is important, opting for the right insurance policy is even more pertinent. When you a new car, car insurance is mandatory and is provided by the dealer. However, during renewals, you can choose an insurance provider and policy of your choice.

While renewing your car insurance, you can opt for a comprehensive insurance plan. Though it costs a bit more than third party car insurance plans, it offers a lot more coverage for the money. It can protect your car from accidents, natural calamities, and even theft.

If you are a bit worried about insurance premiums, NCB can help you reduce the premiums. When you do not claim your policy during its tenure, insurance companies award you with NCB or no claim bonus. You can use this to reduce the policy premium on your car insurance renewal.

Conclusion

Though there are a few different types of petrol available in the country, you must choose wisely. If your car manufacturer recommends a specific type of petrol, you must use that. Using premium petrol in mass-market cars does not provide any benefits from an efficiency or performance perspective. Similarly, you must be judicious while buying new car insurance. Always opt for a policy with adequate coverage.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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