WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POWER PETROL AND NORMAL PETROL

Power petrol and normal petrol have some key differences based on key factors, including octane rating, additives, performance, and engine protection. This guide explains how each fuel affects mileage, engine health, emissions, and costs, helping Indian car owners choose the right petrol based on vehicle type, driving needs, and manufacturer recommendations.

For every vehicle, choosing the right fuel plays a key role in maintaining its performance and engine in the long run. This is because fuel is like food to cars. Just like good food leads to good health, similarly, good fuel leads to enhanced performance of the vehicle. In India, there are various fuel options, like normal petrol, premium petrol, and high-octane variants, like power petrol, that have different impacts.

Low-quality fuel can cause sedimentary deposits inside the engine, which could harm the vehicle in the long run. So, if you own a new car or you are learning to drive, then this Quickinsure blog post is highly beneficial for you. It will help you understand the major difference between major types of petrol, especially power petrol and normal petrol, and choose the right one for your vehicle.

 

Power Petrol and Normal Petrol: What Sets Them Apart?

The key difference between power petrol and normal petrol mainly lies in the amount of octane present in them. Power petrol contains high amounts of octane, however, normal petrol contains low octane. The amount of octane present in a fuel defines how much compression a fuel can withstand before ignition. The table below represents the main differences between power petrol and normal petrol:

Feature	Normal Petrol	Power Petrol
Octane Rating	Ranges between 87-91	Ranges between 91-95
Additives	Basic detergents	Enhanced detergents and friction modifiers
Performance	Standard performance suitable for regular use	Improved performance, better acceleration and smoothness
Engine cleanliness	Standard engine cleanliness	Enhanced engine cleanliness, reduced carbon deposits
Price	Lower	Higher (usually ₹5-10 more per litre)
Mileage	Standard fuel efficiency	Potentially better fuel efficiency
Engine Protection	Basic protection	Enhanced protection against wear and tear
Environmental impact	Standard emissions	Potentially lower emissions due to better combustion
Recommended for	Regular, everyday vehicles	High-performance vehicles and those seeking better performance
Availability	Widely available at all petrol stations	Available at selected petrol stations, mainly in urban area

 

Why Does the Octane Rating Matter for My Car's Engine?

Octane rating also indicates the resistance of fuel to heat and premature burning, which represents how much the fuel can withstand the compression before igniting the engine. A higher octane value showcases the fuel can withstand more compression, ideal for high-performance and high-compression engines.

Power petrol has a higher octane rating which is designed for high-performance cars, such as sports cars and vehicles with turbocharged or supercharged engines. Greater octane value allows for maximum power output, preventing engine knocking or any kind of damage.

For regular cars with standard engines, normal petrol works fine and is affordable. Using power petrol in these cars is simply paying more money without getting any additional benefits. Therefore always choose the fuel based on the instructions provided in the car manual and use the recommended fuel for the specific make and model.

 

What Are the Additives in Power Petrol, and How Do They Benefit the Engine?

Power petrol uses following additives to offer better mileage, engine longevity, and reduce emissions:

●       Detergents: To dissolve and remove carbon deposits from fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers.

●       Octane Boosters: To increase the resistance of fuel to premature engine knocking.

●       Lubricants: To minimize friction between moving engine parts like fuel pumps and injectors.

●       Corrosion Inhibitors: To protect metal components in the fuel system from rust and corrosion.

●       Fuel Stabilizers: To prevent fuel from breaking down, oxidizing, or forming gums and resins during storage.

 

Overall benefits of using power petrol:

●       Offering improved fuel economy and mileage

●       Providing extended engine life

●       Enhancing vehicle performance with smoother running, stronger acceleration, and more power.

●       Helping reduce emissions for a greener drive

 

When Should I Consider Switching From Normal Petrol to Power Petrol?

Here are some scenarios when you should consider switching from using normal petrol to power petrol:

●       When you are planning to purchase sports cars, luxury cars, like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, or turbocharged vehicles, to gain optimal performance and avoid engine knock.

●       In case, you hear a rattling sound from the engine during acceleration then you need to use power petrol to prevent your vehicle.

●       The best way to know whether to use octane fuel or not, is to refer to the manual of your car.

●       Moreover, during long drives, you should prefer using power petrol to keep fuel injectors clean over long journeys.

 

How Does Using the Wrong Type of Petrol Affect My Vehicle's Long-Term Health?

The use of wrong type of petrol can cause severe consequences to vehicle in following ways:

●       Persistent engine knocking

●       Continuous carbon buildup and reduced vehicle efficiency

●       Failure of emission control systems

 

What Happens If I Mix Normal Petrol and Power Petrol in the Same Tank?

You will be happy to know that mixing normal petrol and petrol power in the same tank is safe. However, this will offer moderate benefits to users which are as follows:

●       The mix creates fuel with an octane rating somewhere between normal and power petrol.

●       The performance additives in the mix will offer diluted benefits to the vehicle engine, thereby offering moderate vehicle performance.

●       In addition, this mix is safe for most regular cars as they both are unleaded petrol. They do not cause immediate engine damage.

 

How Does My Choice of Fuel Impact My Car Insurance and Maintenance Costs?

Your choice of fuel significantly influences both car insurance premiums and maintenance costs in following manner:

●       Petrol cars: Lower upfront insurance due to common and cheaper minor repairs, but higher maintenance from frequent oil changes and fuel system wear.

●       Diesel vehicles: 10-20% higher premiums in India from expensive parts and repair bills, offset by better fuel efficiency for long drives.

●       Electric vehicles (EVs): Lowest premiums, near 15-30% less, due to fewer moving parts and safety features, with 40-50% maintenance savings over time.

●       Hybrids: Using the right fuel for the hybrid cars offer a balanced mid-level insurance premium.

Therefore, you need to choose appropriate fuel based on your mileage to cut long-term costs. 

The Bottom Line

Choosing between power petrol and normal petrol ultimately depends on the type of engine design of your needs and driving. While normal petrol is sufficient and cost-effective for everyday vehicles, power petrol benefits high-performance engines with better combustion, cleanliness, and protection. Always follow the recommendation from your car manufacturer to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and cost efficiency.

Discover best long-term investments in the form of insurance plans with Quickinsure to secure your vehicle comprehensively!

 

FAQs:

1. Is Power petrol better than normal petrol for mileage?

Power petrol can offer slightly better mileage in high-compression engines, but regular cars see little to no difference.

2. Can I use normal petrol instead of Power petrol in my car?

Yes, you can use normal petrol if your car manufacturer does not specifically recommend high-octane fuel.

3. What is the difference between 91 octane and 95 octane petrol?

95 octane petrol resists engine knocking better than 91 octane, making it suitable for high-performance engines.

4. Does 100 octane petrol increase car speed?

No, 100 octane petrol does not increase speed unless the engine is designed to utilize high-octane fuel.

5. What happens if I put 100 octane petrol in a normal car?

It is safe but offers no extra performance benefits and only increases fuel cost.

6. Is Power petrol good for old engines?

Power petrol can help clean deposits in older engines, but it does not significantly improve performance.

7. Is it worth paying extra for Power petrol?

It is worth paying extra only if your car requires or benefits from higher octane fuel.

8. Does Power petrol reduce engine knocking?

Yes, its higher octane rating helps prevent engine knocking and premature combustion.