For 2002 or older models, switching from super to extra is fine. This does not happen with cars from 2007 onwards.
Given the continuous increase in super gas pricetied to the international price of the Petroleum, a part of the consumers, who still use that 92 octane fuel, you are seriously considering switching to cheaper options.
According to Rómulo Verdugo, an auto mechanic, that change does not bring mechanical problems, and higher costs in the long run, if you have a 2002 or older vehicle. The reason for this is that these types of cars are designed to work perfectly with a gasoline of 85 octane as the extra that is marketed in Ecuador.
However, for models manufactured in the last 15 years, that is, from 2007 to the present, the change from super to extra it does represent a direct impact on the motor.
“The concern about the drastic increase in fuel costs within the monthly budget is understandable; but the more modern the vehicle, octane and quality are important to avoid mechanical problems in the medium and long term. The problems start with the efficiency of the motorand end up with damage that requires expensive repairs,” he said.
However, Verdugo acknowledged that even the super gasoline it has fallen short for new technologies. For this reason, a significant percentage of the latest vehicle models do not reach the country.
Mixture of gasoline and additives delays damage
A strategy being applied by the owners of vehicles is the mixture of gasoline. That is, fill the tank with a percentage of super and another major of extra.
Norberto Trujillo, owner of a mechanical workshop, pointed out that this strategy could work in the first instance, especially if the use of additives is added to improve fuel performance and delay the damage the motor.
However, the newer the vehicleand much worse if it is high-end, the consequences and economic cost in the medium and long term will be greater.
Since the super gas price began trading higher and higher, additive purchases increased by more than 10%.
“If you consume a gasoline lower octane, motor loses power and the additive compensates for that loss. But there are cars that already come with technical specifications that prevent these strategies from being completely effective. It is only possible to delay the problems for a while, “said Trujillo.
Petroecuador ensures that fuels meet quality standards
Despite citizen criticism that, in the midst of the current global crisis, Ecuador pays gasoline With first world prices, but with third world quality, Petroecuador assured that the fuels it offers in the domestic market meet all standards.
Even through a statement, the state oil company said that “the fuels produced in the country comply with the Euro III technical standard, applied since 2017, to regulate CO2 emissions and reduce environmental impact.”
However, on February 22, 2022, the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador (Aeade) denounced that the super gasolinewhich is the best quality in Ecuador, does not exceed the Euro II standard. This situation puts the country 20 years behind the standards of Latin America, where even the neighbors of Colombia and Peru have the Euro V standard.
According to Petroecuador, the quality of fuels produced in the Esmeraldas, La Libertad and Shushufindi Refineries, and the Beaterio and Pascuales terminals complies with the Ecuadorian Technical Regulations NTE INEN.
The General Manager of the state oil company, however, acknowledged that this company does not have the capacity and resources to make substantial improvements in the quality of what is produced in the country.
“In the future, we hope to have investments from the private sector, which will allow us to improve quality, lower the sulfur content in each fuel and have Euro V international specifications,” he said.
According to the authorities, the extra gasoline and eco country produce 650 parts per million of sulfur); While the Super generates 450 parts per million of sulfur. Current international standards, with Euro V technology or higher, do not exceed 100 parts per million of sulfur. (JS)
