Understanding Different Grades of Gasoline and Diesel for Efficient Fleet Management

When managing a fleet, fuel is one of the most significant operating costs—and understanding the differences in fuel grades is critical to optimizing performance and minimizing expenses. 

We spoke with Blake Eskelsen, Sales Director for Rhinehart Oil in Utah, who helped shed light on how fuel grade decisions directly impact fleet efficiency, maintenance, and operational costs.

So, let’s dive in. 

Choosing the Right Fuel Grade

Selecting the correct fuel grade is a critical factor in fleet management, directly influencing performance, costs, and engine longevity. While it might be tempting to assume that higher-octane or premium fuels always lead to better results, that’s not always the case. 

According to Eskelsen:
“Choosing the correct fuel grade can make or break a fleet’s efficiency. Using a premium, high-quality product ensures better performance, longer engine life, and improved fuel economy. But that choice needs to be tailored to the specific needs of the engine.”

As experts, here’s what you should consider when choosing the right fuel grade for your fleet:

• Operating Conditions: Take into account your fleet’s typical working environment. For instance, higher grades might be necessary for heavy loads, high-altitude operations, or extreme temperatures to ensure smoother performance.
• Performance Needs: While premium fuels offer benefits like better combustion and reduced deposits, they won’t necessarily improve performance in engines designed for lower grades. As Eskelsen explains, “A bus engine that requires 87-octane fuel won’t necessarily gain any performance benefits from 91-octane.”
• Manufacturer Recommendations: Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your vehicles or equipment. Engines are designed to run optimally on specific fuel grades, and deviating from these can impact performance or cause damage.
• Cost Implications: Using a higher-grade fuel than required unnecessarily increases operating costs without really delivering any measurable benefits. On the other hand, if you use a lower-grade fuel than recommended, it can lead to engine knock, reduced efficiency, and costly repairs.
• Fuel Economy: Matching the fuel grade to the engine’s requirements can improve mileage and reduce consumption, directly impacting your bottom line. Optimized fuel economy also means less downtime for refueling.

Understanding Gasoline Grades and What It Means for Businesses 

Gasoline grades are distinguished by their octane ratings, which measure the fuel’s ability to resist engine knocking. Choosing the right grade ensures optimal performance, efficiency, and longevity for your fleet. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the most common gasoline grades:

• Regular (85-87 Octane): Ideal for engines with low-to-moderate compression ratios, such as light-duty fleet vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. This is cost-effective and widely available, making it a go-to choice for fleets prioritizing economy without sacrificing performance.
• Mid-Grade (89 Octane): Often used in higher-altitude regions or in engines that require slightly higher compression. This is frequently used in higher-altitude regions, where thinner air can reduce an engine’s effective compression ratio, making a mid-grade option a practical choice.
• Premium (91-94 Octane): Designed for high-compression engines, such as luxury vehicles, turbocharged engines, or specialty equipment like race cars or boats. It improves ignition stability in demanding applications and minimizes the risk of pre-ignition in high-stress engines.

Eskelsen highlights another key option for fleets with specialized needs: ethanol-free 91-octane gasoline, available at Rhinehart Oil. “Ethanol can be tough on small engines, carburetors, and seals,” he notes. “That’s why many fleets with specialized equipment or recreational vehicles rely on this premium, ethanol-free product.”

Why Ethanol-Free Gasoline Matters

Ethanol, commonly blended with gasoline, absorbs moisture, which can lead to corrosion in small engines and older vehicles. For fleets with specific requirements, such as:

• Recreational Vehicles: ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles benefit from ethanol-free fuel to prevent damage to delicate fuel systems.
• Small Engines: Equipment like chainsaws and portable generators last longer and run more efficiently without ethanol’s corrosive effects.
• Seasonal Equipment: Ethanol-free gasoline is less prone to fuel separation during extended storage, ensuring reliability when the equipment is back in use.

You want the kind of fuel supplier and distributor by your side who offers a range of fuel grades tailored to diverse applications—be it managing a fleet or operating heavy machinery. 

Next up…

Understanding Diesel Grades: Year-Round and Winter Solutions

Diesel is the backbone of many fleets, and its grade selection is just as crucial—especially in varying climates. 

Here’s a closer look at diesel grades and their applications:

• #2 Diesel: The year-round standard for most fleets, #2 diesel provides higher energy content and superior fuel economy. It works for vehicles and equipment that prioritize efficiency and long-distance hauling. However, it can gel in cold temperatures, causing blockages in fuel lines and filters if it’s not treated with additives.
• #1 Diesel: A lighter, winter-friendly option with anti-gelling properties, #1 diesel is ideal for colder climates but comes at a higher cost and lower energy density. It’s great for fleets operating in extremely cold climates, especially during winter months when the fuel must remain fluid. However, it offers lower energy density than #2 diesel, so you get reduced fuel economy and higher costs per mile.
• Blended Diesel (e.g., 70/30 or 50/50): This one’s a favorite. A customized mixture of #1 and #2 diesel that combines the best of both worlds—improved cold-weather performance and reasonable energy content. The blends can be adjusted based on specific needs, ensuring optimal performance in diverse conditions.

Operating in cold climates requires a proactive approach to fuel management. Eskelsen emphasizes Rhinehart’s proactive approach to winterizing diesel fuel, saying: 
“We test fuel regularly for its Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), ensuring that it performs well even in extreme conditions. For customers operating in frigid regions, we provide custom blends and additives that keep fuel flowing in temperatures as low as -40°F.”

Speaking of additives…

The Role of Additives in Fuel Efficiency

Fuel additives are game-changers for fleet managers. They are specially formulated chemical compounds added to fuel to address specific challenges, improve combustion, and protect engine components.

Eskelsen highlights the importance of additives in diesel performance, particularly in extreme conditions:
“Our Arctic Express additive enhances diesel’s cold flow properties,” Eskelsen explains. “It prevents gelling and helps the fuel perform in subzero temperatures. Similarly, our year-round additives improve cetane levels, clean injectors, and reduce engine wear.”

Here’s why we need additives:

• It Enhances Cold Flow Properties: Additives like Arctic Express are specifically designed to lower the fuel’s pour point and improve the cold filter plugging point (CFPP). These properties ensure diesel remains fluid in subzero temperatures, preventing gelling that could block fuel lines and filters, which is particularly vital for fleets operating in harsh winter climates.
• Improved Combustion Efficiency: Cetane boosters help fuel ignite more efficiently, reducing emissions, enhancing engine performance, and increasing fuel economy. A higher cetane rating means smoother operation, especially during cold starts or under heavy loads.
• Injector Cleaning and Maintenance: Additives also help remove carbon deposits, varnish, and other contaminants from fuel injectors, ensuring consistent spray patterns for optimal combustion. Preventing clogs in fuel injectors reduces downtime and, over time, saves you thousands of dollars in repair costs per vehicle.
• Corrosion Protection: Anti-corrosion agents in additives protect fuel systems, tanks, and lines from rust and degradation caused by moisture and impurities in the fuel. This prolongs the life of critical engine components and, again, reduces the likelihood of costly breakdowns.
• Emission Reduction: By promoting cleaner combustion, additives help lower harmful emissions, aiding fleets in meeting environmental compliance standards and contributing to sustainability goals. 
• Fuel Stabilization: Stabilizing additives prevent fuel degradation during storage, making them ideal for fleets with seasonal or backup equipment that may sit idle for extended periods.

For fleet managers, incorporating fuel additives isn’t just about solving problems—it’s a strategic investment in long-term efficiency, reliability, and cost savings. By leveraging advanced solutions like those offered by Rhinehart Oil, businesses can keep their operations running smoothly, no matter the challenges they face.

The Environmental Push: Ethanol and Biodiesel

The growing emphasis on sustainability has pushed renewable fuels like biodiesel and ethanol blends to the forefront of fleet management strategies. These alternatives not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also offer a pathway toward meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations. However, adopting these fuels comes with specific considerations for performance and compatibility.
“Renewable diesel is exciting,” Eskelsen says. “While it’s environmentally friendly and offers maintenance benefits, it doesn’t perform as well in colder temperatures. Blending it with traditional diesel helps overcome this limitation.”

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are derived from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste grease. Both serve as alternatives to petroleum-based diesel, but they’re different in chemical makeup and performance characteristics.

For example: 

Biodiesel is typically blended with traditional diesel in ratios like B5 (5% biodiesel) or B20 (20% biodiesel). It reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly, making it an environmentally friendly choice. 

Renewable Diesel is a fully refined product chemically identical to petroleum diesel, making it compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure. It offers maintenance benefits, such as cleaner combustion and fewer deposits.

Ethanol Blends: 

Ethanol is derived primarily from corn and sugarcane and is widely used as a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional gasoline. Ethanol blends, such as E10 (10% ethanol) and E85 (85% ethanol), are used to reduce carbon emissions.

• E10 (10% Ethanol): This is the standard blend in many regions, suitable for most gasoline-powered vehicles. It helps reduce emissions by oxygenating fuel for more complete combustion.
• E85 (85% Ethanol): It’s used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) designed to handle higher ethanol content, and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions but requires a specialized engine design for optimal performance.

In the End, It All Comes Down to Balancing Sustainability and Performance

If you’re considering biodiesel or ethanol, you’ll need to consider the specific needs of your equipment and operational environment. Factors like temperature, engine compatibility, and storage practices will play a significant role in determining whether these renewable options really work for you and if they can deliver the desired performance.

By incorporating these fuels thoughtfully, you can achieve a balance between environmental responsibility and operational efficiency, contributing to a greener future while also maintaining reliable fleet performance.

As Fleet Managers, Here’s What You Need to Keep In Mind

“One of the most important things a fleet manager can do is work with their mechanics to identify their fleet’s downtime and track maintenance costs,” says Eskelsen. “Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for most fleets, so it’s common to seek out the cheapest fuel without considering fuel quality.”

It’s important to ensure that you’re using the best quality fuel by checking for water levels and cetane levels. The maintenance team is crucial because they’re the ones dealing with the consequences of bad fuel, like changing injectors, which can cost thousands of dollars.

Even a slight difference in price can be a deciding factor when buying a load of diesel. But saving money on low-quality diesel isn’t worth it if it leads to expensive maintenance costs. Using high-quality fuel and ensuring best practices can save money in the long run.

For gasoline engines, using fuel additives with polyetheramine can help keep injectors clean and improve performance.
“Ultimately, it’s not just about the price of fuel,” says Eskelsen. “It’s about considering the overall cost, including maintenance, downtime, and performance. Using high-quality fuel and following best practices can lead to significant savings and improved operations.”

Working With a Fuel Supplier That Gives You an Edge

At Rhinehart Oil, innovative products and customer service aren’t just priorities—they’re a passion. The team is deeply committed to providing fuel solutions that deliver unmatched performance, reliability, and value.
“We use third-party labs to test fuel quality and provide custom solutions,” Eskelsen explains. “Our customers know they’re getting the best product for their needs.”

Our approach goes beyond fuel delivery. We see ourselves as partners in your success, offering solutions like ethanol-free gasoline, specialized diesel blends, and premium additives designed to optimize fleet performance. 

Ready to revolutionize your fuel strategy? Check out our product line and contact Rhinehart Oil today to speak with our sales rep and discover how our premium solutions can elevate your fleet’s performance.