Gasoline

Gasoline is a fuel made from crude oil and other petroleum liquids. Gasoline is mainly used as an engine fuel in vehicles. Petroleum refineries and blending facilities produce motor gasoline for sale at retail gasoline fueling stations.

Most of the gasoline that petroleum refineries produce is actually unfinished gasoline (gasoline blendstocks). Gasoline blendstocks require blending with other liquids to make finished motor gasoline, which meets the basic requirements for fuel that is suitable for use in spark ignition engines.

The octane number (ON) is a measure of the knock resistance of gasoline. It defines a numerical value from 0 to 100, and describes the behavior of the fuel in the engine during combustion. In determining the octane number, a distinction is primarily made between the research octane number (RON) and the motor octane number (MON).

Research octane number (RON)

The research octane number (RON) describes the behavior of the fuel in the engine at lower temperatures and speeds, and is an attempt to simulate acceleration behavior. This octane number is posted on pumps in Germany.

Motor octane number (MON)

The motor octane number (MON) describes the behavior of the fuel in the engine at high temperatures and speeds – a full-throttle range, comparable to driving fast on a highway. This octane number is not generally known to the public, as it is not specified at service stations.