TL;DR
- Petrol vs Diesel Matters: Choosing the wrong fuel type can cause severe engine damage, costly repairs, and breakdowns.
- Fuel Characteristics: Petrol offers versatility and quieter engines, while diesel provides better fuel efficiency and torque but comes with higher upfront and maintenance costs.
- Eco-Friendly Choices: Diesel has lower CO2 emissions, but petrol engines are less likely to exceed emissions standards. Maintenance plays a key role in environmental impact.
- Smart Fueling Tips: Avoid harsh braking, keep tyres properly inflated, and participate in fuel loyalty programmes to save money and enhance fuel efficiency.
Filling Up Your Car - Understanding South Africa's Fuel Options: Petrol vs Diesel
Ever feel like Life Orientation should have done more to prepare you for adulting? Same here, especially when it’s tax season.
Another lesson we missed? The difference in fuel types; apparently, ‘petrol’ and ‘diesel’ aren’t just names some motorhead invented for fun.
Luckily, South Africans don’t have to worry too much about what 93 or 95 unleaded is or wonder how diesel compares to petrol—we have the luxury of helpful petrol attendants!
We’re only joking; yes, petrol attendants are there to make your life easier by pumping your fuel and cleaning your windshield. But, it’s still vital to know the different fuel types and petrol octane levels (we cover this a little later in the article) because attendants typically ask what fuel your car takes.
So, understanding the different fuel options and how their key differences can affect your car, wallet, and insurance premium can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Don’t waste time searching ‘petrol stations near me’; this helpful Pineapple guide will gas you up by breaking down the petrol versus diesel dilemma.
You’ll discover the dangers of putting the wrong fuel in your car and which option is more eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and fuel-efficient. All without leaving your home!
Petrol vs. Diesel – Why Choosing the Right Fuel Matters
South African car models are as diverse as the people who drive them—we’re known as the rainbow nation, after all. Therefore, motorists should take extra care when topping up, choosing a fuel option that best suits their engine’s unique make.
If not, they risk causing thousands of Rand’s worth of engine damage, which will require expensive repairs.
For example, adding petrol to a diesel engine can cause lubrication—not that kind—and ignition issues.
Petrol increases the friction between the different parts of your engine, whereas diesel is more lubricating. Therefore, you’re likely to experience problems with the oil, which will likely result in your car not starting.
On the other hand, filling a petrol engine with diesel isn’t as devastating. However, you’re also likely to experience your engine giving off smoke, cutting out, or failing to start entirely.
Other consequences of filling your car’s tank with the wrong fuel type can include:
- The engine’s mechanism, mainly the fuel injectors, suffering severe damage.
- Engine damage can reduce power or lower the vehicle’s performance.
- In extreme cases, total engine failure can lead to your car breaking down, leaving you stranded.
What should you do if you fill your car with the wrong fuel? Assuming you’ve made this realisation almost immediately, the first thing you should do is nothing.
Do not start the car; get someone to help you drain the fuel to avoid damaging it. A qualified professional may be able to drain your vehicle’s fuel tank and flush the system with the correct fuel to avoid any damage.
If you realise your mistake too late, that’s to say you’ve already driven off, don’t panic. You’ll probably realise what’s happened as soon as the vehicle grinds to a halt.
Still, there may still be hope for your car.
Simply treat this like any other breakdown. If possible, try to move your car to safety. If your car stops in the middle of the road, place your bright orange warning triangle a few paces behind it to alert other motorists.
Next, call your insurance provider and tell them about your situation. If they’re anything like Pineapple, which offers free 24/7 roadside assistance that includes towing, they’ll send someone to help tow your car to safety.
Oh, you’re not insured with Pineapple yet? Get a quote right this very second!
Speaking of insurance, while the type of fuel used isn’t a factor in determining insurance premiums, it can indirectly influence them.
For example, diesel engines cost more to purchase than petrol, meaning your insurance premiums will likely be higher. Diesel engines can also be more expensive to repair, which again can raise your monthly car insurance fees.
So, don’t wait until misfortune strikes; join the insurance provider who cares to see you covered (Pineapple, we’re talking about Pineapple). Our comprehensive car insurance policies start at just R589 p/m**.
**Premiums are risk profile dependent.
Now that that shameless plug is out of the way, let’s discuss the key differences between petrol and diesel.
Petrol Power: The Most Common Choice for South African Drivers
Did you know that petrol can fuel more than just cars? It can also power some small aircraft, lawnmowers, and chainsaws.
It’s this versatility that makes petrol one of South Africa’s primary liquid fuels.
But, not all petrol is made equal. Different petrol grades have specific properties that make them suitable for several uses, including the octane rating.
Octane level or rating, also known as octane number, measures the quality or performance of petrol. The octane rating tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites, allowing your car to go vroom.
Octane levels 93 and 95 are the typical petrol octane levels available in South Africa.
- 93 octane gives you more mileage and is best suited for older cars with lower engine compression. Despite being slightly cheaper, it’s less effective for high-performance engines.
- 95 octane is better suited for modern vehicles and high-compression engines. This means better fuel efficiency and performance but at a higher price than a lower octane rating.
The higher the octane rating, the better the fuel burns within a car's engine.
A higher octane level also means the fuel is less likely to explode under pressure, referred to as pre-ignition (the higher the octane, the more resistant to pre-ignition it is) and could explain why it’s a popular option for high-performance cars.
Diesel Dilemma: Power and Efficiency at a Cost
A 2020 study by the AA (Automobile Association South Africa) found that 56% of South African motorists preferred diesel vehicles to petrol models.
And who can blame them?
Diesel is known for its fuel efficiency and better torque. Torque is a twisting force that measures how much power a motor’s engine can produce. More torque means faster acceleration and better towing capabilities.
Diesel is typically suitable for heavy-duty work. It’s usually used in larger vehicles like bakkies and other SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles).
The fuel efficiency also makes it perfect for long-distance travel.
However, diesel has a few drawbacks: the engines can be pricier upfront, and the repairs can also be costly. Plus, the same AA study mentioned above showed that 38,000 fatalities happened “as a result of diesel engines exceeding their stated emissions standards.”
Lastly, if a diesel engine is improperly maintained, certain failures can cause an issue known as diesel runaway.
So, that begs the question: Which is the superior fuel option for South African drivers, petrol or diesel?
The answer depends on a person’s individual needs and preferences, as well as their finances and budget. And your car, of course—you can’t just switch to petrol when diesel prices start soaring; your engine won’t like that much.
Mythbusters: Pineapple Debunks Common Misconceptions about Car Fuel
It’s been a minute since we’ve put on our detective hat (we’re referring to this article: ‘Pineapple Presents… MythBusters: The Electric Vehicle Insurance Edition’). But too many rumours have been swirling around.
So, Pineapple is here to set the record start by clearing up the common misconceptions about car fuel.
Let’s play Fact versus Fiction: The Pineapple Car Fuel Edition!
- Fiction: Premium fuel (95 octane) is always better.
Fact: Premium is only guaranteed when it’s Pineapple’s affordable insurance premiums. Sorry, we’ll stop. Premium fuel (95 octane) can perform slightly better, but regular fuel also works well, especially if your driving involves everyday, mundane trips like work or running errands. Fuelling your car with a higher-grade fuel would not affect the car’s performance or even fuel economy.
- Fiction: Diesel vehicles are always more expensive than petrol engines.
Fact: This is technically true. However, let the records show that diesel cars’ initial upfront costs are later offset by their great fuel efficiency, which means savings in the long run.
- Fiction: Manual transmissions have better fuel economy than automatics.
Fact: While it’s true that manual transmissions offer excellent fuel economy, advances in automatic vehicles have significantly improved their fuel consumption. Modern automatic cars can easily compete with manual cars and get the same or better results.
- Fiction: Vehicles need to warm up before they can be driven.
Fact: This might’ve been true once upon a stone age, but most modern vehicles can start almost immediately. However, according to Accuweather, experts can’t seem to agree about whether cars need warming up when temperatures cool down: “Some say the car can be driven immediately, just at a neighbourhood speed. Others argue that cars need to idle for a couple of minutes to get the oil properly flowing.”
- Fiction: As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.
Fact: Society is so scared of ageing that we’ve even projected our fear onto the automobile industry. Thankfully, this myth is entirely untrue. A properly maintained car should retain its efficiency for many years.
- Fiction: It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than to let it idle.
Fact: Advancements in motor technology mean most modern fuel-injected engines only use a small amount of fuel when starting. The fact is idling causes continuous fuel consumption, especially when the weather is cold.
- Fiction: Driving on low fuel damages the engine.
Fact: This is debatable. Driving your car with your tank almost on ‘E’ (for ‘empty’) isn’t advisable, but it might not directly cause damage to the engine. But petrol and diesel have impurities that settle at the bottom of the tank. You'll need to get a top-up to avoid these impurities filtering into your car’s system. Thankfully, modern technology has allowed most vehicles to have filters that catch these contaminants before they reach the engine. But you’re more likely to run out of fuel and be stranded before that happens.
So, don’t believe the hype.
These misconceptions may have once been true; however, cars have come a long way since many of these were true. But don’t just take our word for it; consult your car’s user manual to find out what’s relevant in your case.
Choosing Your Fuel: The Right Fit for Your Car and Budget
Choosing between petrol and diesel as your fuel of choice isn’t always just a matter of personal preference. You should also consider your car type, driving habits, and monthly budget.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of petrol and diesel:
Pros of fuelling your car with petrol
- Engines are slightly quieter
- Petrol prices are generally lower than diesel
- Maintenance costs are usually lower
Cons of fuelling your car with petrol
- Uses more fuel per kilometre
- Higher CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions mean more air pollution
Pros of fuelling your car with diesel
- Better fuel efficiency: diesel can travel up to 20% to 35% farther
- Better torque; suited for steep hills or carrying heavy loads
- Lower CO2 emissions
Cons of fuelling your car with diesel
- Higher initial and repair costs
- Noisier engine (depending on the car’s make and year model)
- Produce more NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide)
Fuel prices fluctuate due to the global supply and demand for crude oil. Other factors that affect fuel prices include currency exchange rates, local taxes, refinery costs, and seasonal demand.
Regardless of which fuel type you use, here are some handy tips and tricks to help your car’s fuel efficiency:
- Avoid harsh braking and accelerating, as this contributes to higher fuel consumption.
- Even in Mzansi’s oppressively hot summers, keep your windows closed and use your AC (air conditioning), as it’s slightly friendlier to your fuel.
- Travel light as overloading your car makes the engine work harder, meaning more fuel consumption.
- Keep your car from idling and, where possible, avoid travelling during peak traffic conditions. Instead, use the vehicle’s momentum to your advantage by carefully cruising down a hill or on the highway.
- Shorter trips typically use more fuel than longer trips, so try to cut down on those. Another perk of reducing your mileage is Pineapple’s Drive Less benefit, which rewards insured motorists who travel 300 km or less with up to 30% cashback. Click here to get a quote and save now!
Fuelling Your Knowledge: FAQs about Fuel in South Africa
You asked, Pineapple answered. Here are some frequently asked questions about fuel in South Africa (number 4 surprised us as well):
- What is the latest petrol price today in SA?
By the time you read this article, South Africa’s petrol prices will likely have changed. We suggest watching the local news (which features reports on the latest diesel and petrol prices) or using online resources like the AA, Caltex, or Shell for relevant petrol price updates.
- What happens when you mix 93 and 95 octane petrol?
Nothing catastrophic happens when you combine different petrol octane levels. The octane rating is only an indication of its resistance to pre-ignition. So, mixing 93 and 95-octane petrol won't cause any issues to your car, as long as the individual types are suitable for your engine.
- Which fuel car is best for a long drive?
Diesel is better suited for long drives than petrol, thanks to its superior fuel efficiency and torque. Plus, diesel engines typically last longer than petrol systems because diesel fuel has lubricating properties that reduce friction and wear on the engine’s components.
- Does fuel expire?
Yes, fuel does ‘expire’ over time, which is to say it degrades in quality. Fuel has a limited shelf life, usually between 6 months to 1 year, if stored in a clean, sealed, and dry container. Here’s how to tell if your petrol has gone bad:
- Scent: Fresh petrol has a strong, pungent odour.
- Colour: Fresh gasoline is typically clear or slightly amber.
- Presence of Sediment: If particulates or sediment are present at the bottom of the container, this can indicate that the fuel has degraded or is contaminated.
- Consistency: Good petrol should flow easily.
- What is the difference between leaded and unleaded petrol?
It’s all in the name; leaded petrol contains lead (Pb 82) mixed into the fuel, while unleaded petrol doesn't. The lead additives help improve the petrol’s performance but aren’t very eco-friendly and can cause harm to humans. Unleaded petrol is the greener and cleaner alternative.
Filling Station Tips to Save Money, Time and Protect Your Car
We at Pineapple know how important saving money and time and protecting your car is; it’s why we’re in short-term insurance!
So, here are seven practical tips to remember when filling up at your preferred petrol station:
- Use fuel loyalty reward programmes to capitalise on savings. These are a great way to save money; you can earn points or receive cash back to spend on other essentials. Plus, they’re easy to use and widely accessible.
- Turn off your engine while refuelling. Given how highly flammable fuel is, static electricity combined with the heat and vapours from your engine can start a fire or a massive explosion.
- Check your tyre pressure. Properly inflated tyres improve fuel efficiency and result in better handling and braking. Speaking of tyres, if you have a slight puncture, ask the petrol attendants for assistance or check for a tyre repair kit and patch it up yourself. Although this isn’t a permanent fix, it should allow you to reach the nearest mechanic.
- Check oil and water. This helps maintain your engine’s health and ensures the engine’s optimal performance and longevity.
- Clean windscreens. Clear windscreens mean better visibility, which can help when the weather is less than ideal. That, and you won’t have to worry about children writing things like “Wash me” on your dirty windshield.
Fueling Your Journey - Informed Decisions on the Road
The next time you’re seated at the dinner table, hosting a braai, or chatting up an extremely hot mechanic, why not shock them with all the fuel trivia you’ve picked up from this article?
Jokes aside, learning the characteristics of each fuel type, as well as the distinct differences between diesel and petrol, can help you drive smarter.
Choosing the right fuel for your driving habits and the car’s engine can help clear up confusion around fuel prices. Plus, you can save money on fuel, improve your ride’s efficiency, and even reduce your carbon footprint.
But all that means nothing if your car is not protected against people, places and other perils. That's why we recommend getting insured under Pineapple’s affordable, comprehensive car insurance policy.
From as little as R19-ish a day, Pineapple aims to drive down costs so you can rev up the fun (while driving responsibly, of course).
Invest in your car’s protection by getting a quick 90-second quote today; it’s free!
Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.
Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.
Mathapelo Mosia
Mathapelo, Pineapple's Junior Copywriter, has a diverse background, including roles like Leaflet Distributor, Bridal Stylist, and Junior Sales Activation Officer. Her love for literature was sparked in grade 5 by a teacher's challenge involving books and chocolate. Though the prize was never received, she developed a passion for reading and writing.
