In terms of driving, there are many routine tasks that we end up not paying the attention they deserve. Surely, at first, when you start driving everything seemed like a world and you paid a lot of attention to everything you did, turning on the lights, looking in the rearview mirrors, everything very carefully so that you didn’t miss anything. But, once you get the hang of it and develop all the skills, we end up turning it into a routine, and that’s when we stop paying attention to these little things and do them automatically. The same thing also happens to some drivers when they fill up with gasoline, because filling up the tank ends up being a routine and everyday task as well.
But what many people haven’t discovered yet is that it can involve risks and consequences if it’s not done correctly. And what happens when we fill up with petrol incorrectly? Well, without knowing it, it can affect the performance of our car and our safety (both as drivers and users of the vehicle). So we’re going to explain everything you need to keep in mind every time you fill up your car with gas so you can avoid these common mistakes that many drivers make without realizing it.
What types of gasoline are there?
According to Primax Colombia, the most common types of diesel are regular and extra. They differ mainly in the octane rating: a fuel with a higher octane rating has more benefits (better engine performance). To choose which gasoline is best for your vehicle, it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, because if we choose one that is not suitable for our engine, we could be causing damage to it.
Diesel vehicles, on the other hand, opt for fuels with high-quality additives that can reduce fuel consumption by up to 2.5% and polluting emissions by 25%.
First mistake: keeping the engine running
This may be something that many drivers do, and they don’t know that it can be very dangerous (both for themselves and for the other users who are at that service station). Let’s keep in mind that there are gasoline vapors in the engine, and when it is on, this engine causes heat and can cause sparks when filling up with gasoline. In addition, we are exposing ourselves to causing a fire. Therefore, to fill up with gasoline it is essential that our engine is completely turned off every time we fill up with gasoline, thus we will avoid any problem of combustion of flammable vapors, we are sure that nobody wants to blow up a gas station.
Second mistake: overfilling the tank.
Many people believe that filling the tank to the brim helps to make better use of gasoline, but they are far from reality. Fuel reporting systems are designed to stop the flow when the proper level is reached, leaving space for the fuel to expand once it is heated, so filling it to the top could cause leaks, as well as unnecessary waste of gasoline (and it’s not like gasoline is very cheap)
Third mistake: using the wrong type of gasoline
As we said at the beginning of this article, using the wrong type of gasoline for a specific engine can cause your car to lose power, make unusual noises, consume too much fuel or even cause mechanical problems when starting the engine. If you still don’t know what gasoline your car uses, check the vehicle manual and follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions! And if you think you’ve made a mistake several times because your car is having problems, it’s advisable to take it to a garage to have it checked. Pay attention when refuelling!
Fourth mistake: mixing gasoline.
Oh, those drivers who think that mixing gasoline (regular and premium) can improve the octogen and reduce costs! However, this can cause the engine’s combustion to be altered (because each vehicle has specified in its manual the type of gasoline that will optimize its operation). So, do not do this because you would simply be throwing money away.
Fifth mistake: low quality gasoline.
This is the most common mistake of all, and it is to opt for low quality gasoline. Cheap gasoline, as you well know, also directly influences the performance of our vehicle, and yes, there are many service stations that have quite low prices (especially now that we are in a time when the price of gasoline does not stop rising), but, this is normally because they do not have quality certifications. So, don’t hesitate to invest a little more in good gasoline to extend the life of your vehicle!