Types of Fuel You Can Use for Your Car

There are so many options for fueling your car, and deciding which fuel works best can be tricky. One of the things you should consider when deciding on fuel is the type of engine your car has. Engines use a mixture of fuel and air to create the power needed to move the vehicle as you drive.

The ignition process in an engine will determine which fuel it can process. Therefore you must use the right fuel to power your car to avoid damaging your engine. Here are the different types of fuel for cars.

Liquified Petroleum Gas

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) is commonly known as liquid propane. LPG is a common fuel for buses, taxis, and trucks in America. Although it is a clean fuel, LPG contains 30% less energy per gallon than gasoline. Therefore, most private vehicle owners do not use it. Using LPG also requires vehicle owners to convert their cars, which is costly.

Diesel

Diesel is another form of fuel commonly used for larger vehicles with a diesel engine. Diesel has a slightly higher price and can produce more energy than gasoline. It is also oilier and heavier than gasoline. Diesel engines ignite fuel through compression ignition.

Because diesel engines can withstand high compression levels, they have a longer lifespan than other engine types with less compression resistance. Additionally, its higher energy levels make it an economical choice of fuel.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is more environmentally friendly than diesel, which is a fossil fuel. Manufacturers make biodiesel from biological sources such as animal and vegetable fats and recycled restaurant grease, which do not produce a lot of carbon emissions when ignited. Like diesel, biodiesel is a suitable fuel for compression ignition engines.

Compressed Natural Gas

Compressed Natural Gas (CNC) is a type of fuel manufactured by compressing natural gas to a volume that is less than one percent of its capacity at standard atmospheric pressure. CNC is stored in its gaseous state on vehicles built to run on natural gas. The fuel has no odor and is less harmful to the environment.

Gasoline

Gasoline is the most common fuel used in America. Different types of gasoline have different octane ratings or freezing points. Regular unleaded gasoline, which has a lower octane rating, is the cheapest, while gasoline with higher octane ratings like super unleaded and premium gasoline have higher prices.

Ethanol

Ethanol is another environmentally friendly fuel with reduced carbon emissions. Manufacturers in the US produce 94% of ethanol starch found in corn. This type of fuel has a higher octane number than gasoline, which makes it popular among race car drivers. Additionally, it can run on a gasoline engine.

Most of the gasoline sold in the US has traces of ethanol in it. But, some cars can run purely on ethanol. A type of ethanol known as E85 is also available for flexible fuel vehicles, which run on different gasoline and ethanol blends.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is another form of clean fuel, which, when consumed, produces water instead of carbon. Although hydrogen is not popular among vehicle owners, it is a great fuel source for an environmentally conscious driver. A vehicle that uses hydrogen does not pollute the environment because the gas does not produce any harmful gases.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles work similarly to electric vehicles. But, unlike electric cars, which you power by recharging, you refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles with hydrogen, which produces electricity to power the vehicle through an electrochemical reaction.

No matter which fuel your vehicle uses, having a reliable supplier who provides quality fuel will ensure your vehicle keeps running efficiently. Biltmore Oil is your quality petroleum producer in Western North Carolina. Contact us today for more information on our petroleum products.