What type of fuel is petrol?

E10 fuel refers to a motor gasoline engine fuel blended from 90% gasoline (or unleaded gasoline components) and 10% denatured fuel ethanol. Here, the "E" stands for ethanol, and the number 10 indicates that ethanol accounts for 10% of the mixture by volume. This fuel has environmental benefits: the combustion products of ethanol are mainly water and carbon dioxide, which can reduce emissions of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides in exhaust fumes. Meanwhile, ethanol has a high octane rating (approximately 111), which enhances the fuel's anti-knock performance and lowers the risk of engine knocking. Additionally, ethanol is a renewable energy source that can be produced from grains, plant fibers, etc. Using E10 helps reduce dependence on petroleum resources. However, when using E10, note its strong hydrophilic properties—it readily absorbs moisture from the air, potentially causing phase separation. Its shelf life typically ranges from 15 to 25 days, so it is recommended to use it within 15 days. Furthermore, ethanol may slightly dissolve engine deposits, so it is advisable to increase oil change frequency appropriately. In some regions, E10 corresponds to 92-octane gasoline and is compatible with most vehicles designed for 92-octane fuel, with minimal impact on engines. Therefore, vehicle owners need not be overly concerned.

Common fuel types in Malaysia mainly include RON95 gasoline, RON97 gasoline, and diesel. The core differences primarily lie in the octane rating (RON value): RON97 gasoline has a higher octane rating and superior anti-knock properties, making it theoretically suitable for high-compression-ratio or high-performance engines, thereby delivering smoother combustion efficiency. RON95 gasoline, with a lower octane rating, is the most widely used fuel locally. Most household vehicles (such as the Jaecoo J7 and 2019 Kia Cerato) have engines optimized for this fuel, balancing a power output of approximately 156 horsepower with fuel efficiency, while also being well-suited to Malaysia's hilly terrain and urban traffic congestion. In terms of pricing, RON95 is more affordable due to government subsidies, whereas RON97 is unsubsidized and more expensive. The actual driving experience between the two is marginally different, making RON95 the more cost-effective choice for average car owners. Diesel and gasoline are chemically incompatible, and their mixture is strictly prohibited as it can cause engine damage. Additionally, foreign nationals in Malaysia are only permitted to use RON97 or higher-grade fuels; using RON95 constitutes a violation. Gasoline typically contains detergent additives to maintain fuel system cleanliness. For car owners, regularly using manufacturer-recommended additives proves more economical than indiscriminately opting for higher-octane fuels.

According to relevant standards, the four major categories of fuels are gaseous fuels (Group G), liquefied gas fuels (Group L), distillate fuels (Group D), and residual fuels (Group R). Gaseous fuels are mainly composed of methane, ethane, or their mixtures; liquefied gas fuels are primarily made up of propane-propylene, butane-butylene, or their blends; distillate fuels include petroleum fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel, excluding liquefied petroleum gas, and some may contain a small amount of heavy distillate oil; residual fuels are mainly derived from distillation residual oil. These fuels play important roles in different scenarios: for example, gaseous fuels are commonly used for household heating and industrial production, liquefied gas fuels are suitable for daily cooking and powering some vehicles, distillate fuels are the core power source for transportation tools like cars and airplanes, and residual fuels are mostly applied in equipment with high energy demands such as large ships or industrial boilers.

The six basic fuel types are solid fuels, liquid fuels, gaseous fuels, fossil fuels, biofuels, and nuclear fuels. Solid fuels include coal, wood, coke, etc., which have high calorific value and are commonly used in power generation or industrial heating scenarios; liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene have high energy density and flexible transportation, serving as the main power source in the transportation field; gaseous fuels cover natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, etc., which burn cleanly and efficiently and are suitable for household cooking, heating, and industrial production; fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas, which are naturally formed by geological processes and are the core component of current global energy consumption; biofuels are derived from animal and plant resources, such as ethanol and biodiesel, and have renewable characteristics, which can be used as alternative options to traditional fuels; nuclear fuels are mainly composed of radioactive elements such as uranium and plutonium, which release energy through nuclear reactions and are used in nuclear power generation, with the advantages of large energy output and no greenhouse gas emissions. These fuels play key roles in different fields and together form a diversified energy supply system.

There are mainly four types of automotive fuel systems: the carburetor fuel supply system, multi-point electronic fuel injection system, direct fuel injection system, and hybrid injection system. The carburetor fuel supply system mixes gasoline with air through mechanical components, adjusting the mixture concentration based on throttle opening and working with an accelerator pump to enhance power response, though its air-fuel ratio control precision is limited. The multi-point electronic fuel injection system features a dedicated injector for each cylinder, with precise computer-controlled fuel injection timing and quantity, delivering higher combustion efficiency and superior emission performance. The direct fuel injection system delivers fuel directly into the combustion chamber, where the ECU precisely regulates injection parameters, achieving excellent fuel-air atomization that significantly boosts engine power and fuel economy. The hybrid injection system combines the benefits of port fuel injection and direct injection, employing port injection for stratified combustion during low-load conditions and switching to direct injection under high loads to maximize power output—effectively balancing efficiency and performance across diverse driving conditions. These systems each exhibit distinct technical principles and application characteristics, catering to various engine types and vehicular requirements.