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Long story short: Your motorcycle’s fuel can impact performance and efficiency. Discover how to choose the right motorcycle fuel from a petrol pump for your bike with this helpful guide.
Fuel is like blood for a human, right? Yes, without that, both will not survive. The relevance of fuel is declining as the years pass by due to the advent of electric vehicles. But one thing is sure: fuel will stay in the market for at least five years. Beyond that, we cannot say the future. Still, there are a lot of concerns and discussions regarding electric vehicles and their effect on the environment. In this article, we will discuss in depth all you need to know about fuel, petrol pump tips, myths, types of fuel, octane rating, etc., right here. First things first, let’s discuss the octane rating.
What is an octane rating?
According to the dictionary, an octane rating is a figure that indicates a fuel’s anti-knock properties based on a comparison with a mixture of isooctane and heptane.
Types of petrol in India
There are three types of petrol in India, and they are
- Normal: Octane number – 91
- Premium: Octane number – 91 with additives
- Extra premium: Octane number – 93 to 100
The Government of India has prescribed the minimum octane rating for petrol as 91. That means all oil companies need to retail 91 octane regular petrol. In premium and extra premium petrol, additives and detergents are present to avoid the formation of carbon deposits and sludge inside the engine. Now let’s compare the different types of petrol in the below comparison chart to get a clear understanding.
Next, we will discuss engine knocking and the relation between octane rating.
What is engine knocking?
Engine knocking is a term given to the tapping, pinging noise from the engine. Knocking occurs when fuel burns unevenly in your engine due to the buildup of oily carbon deposits inside the combustion chamber. Knocking can be caused by burning oil or incomplete combustion from misfires, which coat pistons, cylinder heads, and other parts of your engine with residue.
What is the relation between engine knocking and octane rating?
Suppose the octane rating of the fuel is high. In that case, the engine knocking will be low and improve the engine’s longevity and performance.
Next, we will talk about fuel density and its importance.
What is fuel density?
The motorcycle fuel density indicates the quality and cleanness of the fuel. Generally, the government has set the standard range of density within which petrol must feature on every petrol pump. For petrol, this range is 730-770 kg/m3. If the density does not come within this value in the petrol pump you are trying to refill, avoid that petrol pump at all costs. There might be water or other contaminants in the petrol, which will affect the engine and performance of the motorcycle.
Things to note while refilling motorcycle fuel at the petrol pump
Check for fuel density.
Always check for the density of petrol, which should lie between 730-770 kg/m3. If the fuel density does not come within this value, avoid that petrol pump at all costs as the petrol might be contaminated with water or substances.
Make sure the fuel dispenser is set to zero.
Monitoring whether the meter is reset to zero while refuelling your motorcycle is important. There are many distractions in a petrol pump, and they greatly utilise that opportunity to cheat you. This cheating method is known as short-fueling.
Check the quality of petrol using filter paper if there is doubt.
If you doubt the quality of the petrol, you can ask for an engine filter paper test. According to the Consumer Protection Act 1986, every petrol pump should have filter papers and provide the same to consumers when needed. To know whether the petrol is adultered or not, put some drops of petrol on filter paper; if it leaves stains, then the petrol is adultered; if not, the petrol is pure.
Check the quantity of petrol if there is doubt.
An electronic chip is sometimes installed in fuel dispensing machines to fill less oil. Still, the meter will show the full amount. If you feel suspicious about the quantity of petrol, you can ask for a five-litre quantity test. Petrol pumps have a 5-litre measure certified by the Weights and Measures Department. Suppose five-litre petrol delivered by fuel dispensing machine fills up the measure entirely. In that case, you can be assured that the petrol station will not short-fuel your vehicle.
Avoid all distractions and deviation.
While entering a petrol pump, avoid all kinds of distractions and deviations, and your focus should be only on the actions of the petrol pump attendant and fuel meter.
FAQ about motorcycle fuel
What should we check while refuelling in the petrol pump?
Check for fuel density first, then make sure the fuel dispenser is set to zero, avoid all distractions, and focus on the fuel reading meter to prevent cheating.
What all things can we do to check the quality of petrol?
Ask for an engine filter paper test. According to the Consumer Protection Act 1986, every petrol pump should have filter papers and provide the same to consumers when needed.
What can we do to check the quantity of petrol?
You can ask for a five-litre quantity test. Petrol pumps must have a 5-litre measure certified by the Weights and Measures Department.
What is the fuel density range in India?
Petrol’s density should lie between 730-770 kg/m3.
What if the fuel density is not within the 730-770 kg/m3 range?
Avoid that pump at all costs.
Is a higher or lower octane rating better?
Higher octane-rating fuel means a lesser chance of engine knocking and better engine longevity.
Is there any benefit if we use higher octane petrol for normal motorcycles?
No, motorcycles with higher compression engines can only utilise premium petrol; otherwise, there is no benefit. Check whether your motorcycle supports premium petrol or not.
What services can you avail of petrol pump free of cost?
Quality & quantity check, First aid kit, Emergency call, Washrooms, Drinking water and tyre pressure check
Conclusion
We have discussed in depth the most basic things an owner should know about motorcycle fuel, types of fuel and the tips and tricks about petrol pump refuelling, and we will highlight important points in a nutshell below
- Always opt for higher-octane petrol
- Check whether your motorcycle supports higher octane petrol in the owner’s manual
- Check for fuel density first in the petrol pump
- Make sure the fuel dispenser is set to zero.
- Focus on the fuel meter and staff while refuelling to avoid cheating.
- Check the quality of petrol using filter paper if there is doubt.
- Check the quantity of petrol using a five-litre quantity test if there is doubt.
- Avoid all distractions and deviations while refuelling in the petrol pump.
If you have any other doubts or queries, email us at bikeleague2017@gmail.com. We are always eager to help and assist you. Also, here are several social media platforms of Bikeleague India to raise your suspicions.
