CAN a difference in fuel make a difference to your car?
In a word, yes... in my experience at least.
For the last five years since I acquired my car, a third generation 1.5L Honda City, I’ve been filling it with RON 95 fuel and when the economy allowed, RON 97.
Although the latter was few and far between, RON 97 seemed better but the difference, I felt, was negligible.
So I went back to RON 95.
Recently, I was given the opportunity to try Petronas’ latest RON 97 fuel with Euro 4M specification, otherwise known as Petronas Primax 97 with improved Advanced Energy Formula.
Previously, RON 97 came with Euro 2M spec and one of the differences is that the Euro 4M spec has significantly lower sulphur content - only 50PPM (Parts Per Million). Euro 2M had 500PPM.
Besides being a greener fuel, Petronas claims that it improves acceleration and drivability.
I had no doubt that I faced a delicate task reviewing this new fuel as it were, based on my earlier impression of the two. So I kept my expectations low.
In order to do this as accurately as possible, without being anywhere near scientific, I used up the remaining fuel (RON 95) till it was almost empty and then, visited my neighbourhood Petronas station and filled the tank up to the brim with the new RON 97.
I noticed the difference as soon as I made my way out of the petrol bay... not the station but the petrol bay.
My car was more responsive and the engine was quieter, smoother and it even felt like it was gently breezing through the air.
This was at very low speed, mind you. But my car never felt like this before.
As I turned out to the main road, there seemed to be a harmonious relation between depressing the accelerator and how the car responded to it. It wasn’t lethargic anymore.
Another test was driving uphill, which, if I didn’t have the momentum, the engine would groan as it made its way up. I’ve been using the new fuel close to a week now and I don’t hear it struggling as it used to.
I didn’t think a difference in fuel could make such a difference.
I’ve really been happy driving my car with the new RON 97 fuel ever since and once it runs low, I don’t know if I want to go back to RON 95. It’s like I’m re-discovering my old car in new ways all over again.
