How to Distinguish Good and Bad Gasoline?
2 Answers
There are several methods to distinguish the quality of gasoline: Smell with your nose: Gasoline with a strong or even pungent smell is of poor quality. Inferior gasoline may have irritating odors such as sharp, eye-stinging, or foul smells. This indicates that the gasoline has excessive sulfur content. The octane number is an agreed value for evaluating gasoline quality, so gasoline with excessively high sulfur content is generally not good. When smelling, do not directly inhale the gasoline; instead, gently wave your hand over the container opening to catch the scent. Observe with your eyes: The color of the gasoline can indicate its quality. Generally, 93# gasoline appears transparent yellow, while 97# gasoline appears emerald green. Qualified gasoline is usually very clear, with no floating matter on the surface, no suspended particles in the middle, and no sediment at the bottom, showing no signs of layering or cloudiness. Conversely, if the gasoline appears cloudy, layered, has suspended particles, or sediment, it indicates potential quality issues. Feel with your hand: Dip your finger into the gasoline and rub it a few times. If your finger feels excessively oily, similar to engine oil, then the gasoline is of poor quality. Alternatively, pour a small amount of gasoline onto your hand. If it evaporates quickly, the gasoline is of good quality.
I drive a lot and the most intuitive feelings about gasoline quality are the car's responsiveness and fuel consumption. Good gasoline makes acceleration smooth, the engine quiet with less vibration, and fuel consumption reasonable; inferior gasoline is different—after filling up, the car tends to jerk or even trigger the check engine light, and fuel consumption soars. I prefer big-brand gas stations like Sinopec because their fuel quality is stable, and the additives help clean the engine and reduce carbon buildup. Once, after refueling at a small station, my car had issues, and the mechanic said excessive impurities clogged the fuel injectors. I suggest friends smell the gasoline when refueling—normal fuel has a faint odor, while any strange smell should be avoided. Long-term use of poor-quality fuel can damage the engine's lifespan. Additionally, in hot weather, low-quality gasoline evaporates faster, while good fuel better protects the engine. Now, I always stick to reputable stations, and my car runs much smoother.
