Choosing the right fuel will go a long way to keeping your fuel costs low. If you are using a high performance fuel for an engine that wont benefit from it you are simply wasting money.

Want to get the most out of your tank? Did you know by picking the correct grade of fuel for your car you can save money and possibly extend the life of your car?

Petrol is graded using the Research Octane Number or RON such as 91, 95, 98, 100 or even 103. The RON number marks the fuels resistance to ‘pre-ignition' or firing before it should due to heat from the engine.

A higher number doesn't mean better quality - the grade signifies how much heat and pressure the petrol can resist before it detonates. A higher number can withstand more heat and a lower number less.

Petrol engines work by igniting a mix of petrol and air using a spark from a spark plug. If the spark plug hasn't fired and the detonation happens early due to heat and pressure it creates a condition called “knock,” which can damage a motor and reduce power. It's called 'knock' as that is the sound made when the fuel mix detonates too early rather than burning smoothly for fuel - which means you aren't getting the full performance from your car...

To find out which fuel is right, read your car's manual or check the label on the inside of the fuel filler door. Usually high performance vehicles need a higher octane fuel.

Remember, putting premium petrol in a car that doesn't actually need it does not make your car faster or perform better, it will just drain your bank account that much faster!