A Guide to the Gas Pump
Get the Facts About Fuel
www.localshell.com
With gasoline stations on just about every corner these days, many Americans don’t give much thought to what they put in their car’s gas tank. But, not all gasolines are the same so to help separate fuel fact from fiction, here are some guidelines to consider when selecting a gasoline for your car:
Consider the Cleaning Power: In the mid 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency established minimum standards for cleaning agents that must be added to auto fuel, and most gasolines today contain just that minimum amount. Unfortunately, for some vehicles, this minimum level of detergency can leave carbon deposits on important engine parts. This is particularly true of low-detergent gasolines typically sold at discount gasoline stations, grocery stores and wholesale club stores. The deposits that low-detergent gasolines leave behind in some cars can cause hesitation during an engine’s initial warm-up phase. Removal and prevention of these deposits may help reduce incidence of hesitation. To avoid the build-up of engine deposits, consumers should look for high-quality gasolines with added cleaning power. “Using a quality fuel with additional cleaning agents, such as Shell V-Power, the premium-grade gasoline from Shell, can help ensure the cleanliness of critical engine parts by removing carbon deposits from the engine’s intake valves and fuel injectors each time the vehicle is driven,” explained Mark Henry, manager of fuels for Shell Oil Products US.
Don’t Overlook Octane: Different cars require different levels of octane, which is the measurement of a gasoline’s ability to resist engine knock - a rattling or pinging sound that results from uncontrolled combustion in the engine. To determine the appropriate octane level, be sure to check your car’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. The most common levels of octane are 87 (regular), 89 (plus) and 93 (premium), and these are indicated right on the pump at the station. But octane is only one component to consider when shopping for fuel. Consumers also should look for gasolines that provide added benefits.
Factor in Other Factors: Concerning octane, the American Petroleum Institute recommends consulting your owners manual first. Ordinarily, it provides the correct guidance. But, if your engine knocks or pings at the recommended level, you may need to try a higher octane level. The requirements for your vehicle can be influenced by your driving habits, your vehicle’s mileage, as well as by the climate and geography where you live.
In addition, look for ways to get improved value out of your gasoline purchases, such as paying with a credit card that provides a rebate of some kind with every purchase. The Shell MasterCard (877-MY-SHELL) offers one of the best rebate programs in the industry with a 5 percent rebate on Shell quality gasoline and a 1 percent rebate on retail purchases anywhere the card is used.
For nearly 100 years, Shell has been focused on developing high-quality fuels and lubricants to meet the needs of the different vehicles on the road today. Shell’s premium fuel, Shell V-Power, actively cleans your engine as you drive your car by removing deposits from critical engine parts, specifically intake valves and fuel injectors. Shell V-Power has more than five times the cleaning agents required by government standards and it is formulated to clean up deposits left by low-detergency gasolines.
Get the Facts About Fuel
www.localshell.com
With gasoline stations on just about every corner these days, many Americans don’t give much thought to what they put in their car’s gas tank. But, not all gasolines are the same so to help separate fuel fact from fiction, here are some guidelines to consider when selecting a gasoline for your car:
Consider the Cleaning Power: In the mid 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency established minimum standards for cleaning agents that must be added to auto fuel, and most gasolines today contain just that minimum amount. Unfortunately, for some vehicles, this minimum level of detergency can leave carbon deposits on important engine parts. This is particularly true of low-detergent gasolines typically sold at discount gasoline stations, grocery stores and wholesale club stores. The deposits that low-detergent gasolines leave behind in some cars can cause hesitation during an engine’s initial warm-up phase. Removal and prevention of these deposits may help reduce incidence of hesitation. To avoid the build-up of engine deposits, consumers should look for high-quality gasolines with added cleaning power. “Using a quality fuel with additional cleaning agents, such as Shell V-Power, the premium-grade gasoline from Shell, can help ensure the cleanliness of critical engine parts by removing carbon deposits from the engine’s intake valves and fuel injectors each time the vehicle is driven,” explained Mark Henry, manager of fuels for Shell Oil Products US.
Don’t Overlook Octane: Different cars require different levels of octane, which is the measurement of a gasoline’s ability to resist engine knock - a rattling or pinging sound that results from uncontrolled combustion in the engine. To determine the appropriate octane level, be sure to check your car’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. The most common levels of octane are 87 (regular), 89 (plus) and 93 (premium), and these are indicated right on the pump at the station. But octane is only one component to consider when shopping for fuel. Consumers also should look for gasolines that provide added benefits.
Factor in Other Factors: Concerning octane, the American Petroleum Institute recommends consulting your owners manual first. Ordinarily, it provides the correct guidance. But, if your engine knocks or pings at the recommended level, you may need to try a higher octane level. The requirements for your vehicle can be influenced by your driving habits, your vehicle’s mileage, as well as by the climate and geography where you live.
In addition, look for ways to get improved value out of your gasoline purchases, such as paying with a credit card that provides a rebate of some kind with every purchase. The Shell MasterCard (877-MY-SHELL) offers one of the best rebate programs in the industry with a 5 percent rebate on Shell quality gasoline and a 1 percent rebate on retail purchases anywhere the card is used.
For nearly 100 years, Shell has been focused on developing high-quality fuels and lubricants to meet the needs of the different vehicles on the road today. Shell’s premium fuel, Shell V-Power, actively cleans your engine as you drive your car by removing deposits from critical engine parts, specifically intake valves and fuel injectors. Shell V-Power has more than five times the cleaning agents required by government standards and it is formulated to clean up deposits left by low-detergency gasolines.
