Six Ways Pertamax Affects Vehicle Engine Performance
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Choosing fuel is not only a matter of cost; it can also affect a vehicle’s engine performance. One option available to motorists is Pertamax, a petrol produced by Pertamina with a Research Octane Number (RON) of 92.
Octane rating is an important factor in determining whether fuel is suitable for an engine. Pertamax has a higher RON than Pertalite, which has an RON of 90. This means Pertamax may be an option for vehicles that require higher-octane fuel.
However, using higher-octane petrol does not automatically make every vehicle more powerful or fuel-efficient. Its effects depend on the engine’s specifications, the vehicle’s condition and driving habits.
So, what effects can Pertamax have on your vehicle’s performance?
- Helps reduce the risk of knocking
One of Pertamax’s main effects is its ability to resist knocking, or abnormal combustion inside the engine.
The RON indicates how well fuel resists spontaneous combustion caused by pressure and temperature in the combustion chamber. In engines that require a high octane rating, using fuel with the recommended RON can help prevent knocking.
The problem is sometimes marked by a tapping or pinging sound from the engine. If it continues, knocking can affect performance and potentially damage engine components.
With an RON of 92, Pertamax can help reduce this risk in vehicles that require that octane rating. However, if a vehicle is designed to use RON 90, the additional benefit of using Pertamax may not be very noticeable.
- Supports engine performance in vehicles requiring RON 92
Using fuel that meets the engine’s specifications helps the vehicle operate as its manufacturer intended.
In vehicles requiring RON 92, Pertamax can support combustion suited to the engine’s needs. This can help maintain performance, including when the driver needs power to accelerate.
By contrast, using petrol with an octane rating below the recommended level may cause the engine management system to adjust ignition timing to reduce the risk of knocking. In some vehicles, this adjustment can affect power output.
Even so, do not expect a vehicle to become much more powerful simply by switching to Pertamax. If the engine is already designed to operate optimally on RON 90, using RON 92 may not produce a significant increase in power.
- May help improve fuel efficiency
Pertamax may also support fuel efficiency when used in vehicles suited to its specifications.
When an engine runs on the appropriate fuel, combustion can take place in line with the engine’s design requirements. This may help the vehicle use fuel more efficiently.
However, the assumption that Pertamax is always more economical than Pertalite is not entirely correct. Fuel efficiency is affected by many factors, including engine design, vehicle condition, traffic congestion, tyre pressure, load and driving habits, such as how the accelerator is used.
Vehicle owners should therefore consider not only the octane rating but also the manufacturer’s recommendation and fuel consumption in everyday use.
- Contains additives intended to help maintain the fuel system
Pertamax contains additives designed to support performance and help maintain the fuel system.
Pertamina says the additives in Pertamax include ingredients intended to help clean engine components and protect against rust. The additive formula is also designed to help keep the fuel system working properly.
Clean components, including those involved in fuel delivery, are important for supporting combustion. A build-up of deposits on certain parts can interfere with engine performance if left untreated.
Nevertheless, using Pertamax does not guarantee that an engine will remain clean or free of problems. Regular servicing, oil changes and inspections of components according to schedule are still needed to keep a vehicle in good condition.
- May improve vehicle responsiveness
In engines suited to RON 92, Pertamax can help maintain responsiveness during acceleration because the fuel supports the engine’s combustion requirements.
This may be noticeable when the vehicle needs power, for example when overtaking or driving uphill. However, responsiveness is not determined by the type of petrol alone.
The condition of the ignition system, air filter, injectors and transmission, as well as engine maintenance, also play a part in determining how responsive a vehicle is.
Therefore, if a vehicle feels underpowered, owners should not immediately conclude that the fuel is to blame. The vehicle should be inspected to identify the cause more accurately.
- May help protect the engine over the long term
Using fuel in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation is one way to help maintain an engine over the long term.
In vehicles requiring RON 92, Pertamax can help reduce the risk of knocking caused by an octane rating that is too low. This matters because persistent abnormal combustion can place additional stress on engine components.
In addition, fuel additives can help keep certain components clean, in line with the function intended by the manufacturer.
Even so, engine lifespan is not determined by fuel type alone. Driving habits, lubricant quality, service schedules, the cooling system’s condition and the standard of maintenance also have a significant effect.
Do all vehicles need to use Pertamax?
Not every vehicle needs to use Pertamax. The right fuel should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation, which can be found in the owner’s manual or the vehicle’s specifications.
Pertamax, with an RON of 92, may suit engines that require that octane rating. Vehicles designed to run on RON 90, meanwhile, may not gain any meaningful improvement in performance or efficiency by switching to RON 92.
Vehicle owners should also consider operating costs. Fuel with a higher price per litre does not necessarily reduce overall expenditure if it makes no significant difference to fuel consumption.
Use Pertamax according to the engine’s requirements, rather than assuming that a higher octane rating always means better performance. Choosing fuel that matches the vehicle’s specifications, alongside regular maintenance and good driving habits, is important for maintaining vehicle performance, according to information from Pertamina and compiled by ANTARA.