Test Your Fuel Knowledge - Dispel The Myths About Gasoline

Have fun while you Test Your Fuel Knowledge. Answer these questions and you might learn something about fuel efficiency. There are plenty of myths cars and gasoline floating around...let's see how many facts you know.

(NC)—In today's economic times, it's more important than ever to protect the investment in your vehicle – whether it's vintage, luxury or an everyday car. There are many misconceptions about fuels and maintenance that make it difficult to know how best to keep your vehicle in good running condition and avoid unnecessary costs.

A well-maintained vehicle can improve fuel efficiency by up to 40%*. “A high-quality gasoline cleans and protects critical engine parts, so the engine can perform as efficiently as originally designed,” confirmed Ken Mitchell, an engineer from Shell Canada. “If you've been using a lower-quality gasoline, carbon deposits, or “gunk”, begin to build up on intake valves and fuel injectors”.

Test your knowledge of fuel efficiency with the questions below. You may even discover some useful tips to prolong the life of your engine and save a few dollars at the pump.

All gasolines are the same: False

Top automakers agree that all gasolines are not the same and that a clean engine performs better. “Gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine,” noted Mitchell. “Fortunately, protecting your engine from gunk is as simple as using a high-quality gasoline, like all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline, which help protect and clean your engine as you drive.”

Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump: True

Regular servicing and following the service recommendations for your vehicle, such as changing the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluid ensure optimum performance and fuel efficiency. A poorly maintained vehicle can consume 15%* more fuel than a well-maintained vehicle and increases emissions by even more.

Octane levels in fuel don't really make a difference: False

You probably associate octane with the numbers you see at the pump, but the technical explanation for octane is a fuel's ability to resist engine knock. If you use a lower octane fuel in an engine designed to use higher octane, engine knocking may occur, causing the vehicle to shudder and lose performance.

Check your owner's manual to confirm if you have a performance vehicle that requires premium fuel.Higher octane helps avoid engine knock in higher compression engines. Using the right octane for your engine helps ensure maximum fuel economy and fewer emissions.
The faster you drive, the faster you burn fuel: True

The faster you drive, the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume to maintain speed. Reducing your speed to 90 km/h from 110 km/h saves up to 20%* of your fuel. Follow the speed limit and use cruise control on flat highway terrain to prevent inadvertent speeding and help save fuel by keeping your speed constant.

Tire pressure can affect the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle: True

Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 kilometers and increase the vehicle's consumption by 4%*.* Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency Auto$mart Thinking program

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