The capital's Institute of Consumer Expertise conducted an inspection of the largest players in the market by testing popular "ninety-fifth" gasoline. At the same time, samples of not only "regular" A-95 were sent to the laboratory, but also samples with the "euro" prefix, as well as "alcohol" gasoline, which is quite popular among those who like to save money. Experts paid special attention to the so-called "discounters", i.e., chains that sell fuel cheaper than the largest players. In this study, these include the "BRSM-nafta" chain, ANP, and the little-known MOTTO chain. By the way, according to fuel market experts, the latter is a discount chain of the "Continuum" group, which also owns the WOG chain.
This time, samples of "ninety-fifth" were taken at gas stations of eight companies that largely shape the market. Under scrutiny were WOG (A-95), OKKO (A-95 euro), BRSM (A-95, A-95 euro, and A-95 Eco), Marshall A-95 and A-95 euro), Motto (A-95, A-95 euro, and A-95 E40), ANP (A-95, A-95 euro, and A-95 Eco), KLO (A-95 UA standart, A-95 Super, and E95-40), Socar (A-95). The samples were sent to a certified laboratory, where they were tested for compliance with the relevant DSTU standards. Recall that Ukraine still has two gasoline quality standards in effect. The "indestructible" DSTU 4063-2001, which still hasn't been repealed, and the modern DSTU 4839:2007 for "euro fuel". As for "alcohol" fuel, it is produced according to individual technical specifications.
The results obtained in the laboratory were unpleasantly surprising – more than 20 percent of fuel samples turned out to be off-spec, i.e., not fitting into any standards at all.
First of all, they checked the octane number, which characterizes the fuel's resistance to detonation – premature combustion of gasoline in the combustion chamber. Detonation is harmful to the engine not only due to increased fuel consumption and reduced power, but also due to premature engine wear from extra loads. The octane number was measured by the motor method, in which the installation (a single-cylinder engine with a variable compression ratio) simulates the load on a real engine. According to this method, the standard is set at 85.0 units (which is practically analogous to the usual number 95 by the research method that we see at gas stations). Three participants had sad results – three samples from the MOTTO chain had octane from 79.2 units for regular A-95 to 80 units for gasoline from this chain with the "euro" prefix!!! This is an anti-record in the history of research – it's not even "ninety-second"! At the same time, the partner chain WOG – this indicator is within normal limits. The rest of the participants were fine in this regard, and the leaders were samples from SOCAR (85.6), OKKO (85.8), and two BRSM samples – A-95 euro (86 units) and A-95 Eco (86.7 units).
Next, experts checked another crucial indicator – sulfur content. If there is too much sulfur in the fuel, it leads to the formation of carbon deposits, contamination of fuel injectors, and "kills" catalysts. In addition, the exhaust becomes "dirtier" and very dangerous oxides enter the air we breathe. The "dimensionless" DSTU for "regular" 95th regulates sulfur content up to 0.015% (150 mg/kg), but for gasoline to meet the Euro 5 standard, it must contain no more than 0.001% (10 mg/kg). Feel the difference! Overall, everyone fit into their respective categories. In "euro gasolines" there was practically no sulfur; all turned out to be compliant with Euro 5. At the same time, some "Ukrainian" samples showed the same picture! BRSM and ANP gasolines, although labeled on the price boards as regular A-95, in fact showed a practical absence of sulfur, which indicates the imported origin of the fuel.
Another important parameter is benzene content. An increased concentration of benzene causes great harm to both the environment and the car. Not evaporating completely, benzene can wash away the oil film, which leads to increased wear of engine cylinders. According to the old DSTU, the mass fraction of this substance in gasoline should not exceed 5%. The new DSTU regulates the volume fraction of benzene content at no more than 1%. As a result, all "Europeans", except MOTTO (1.3 with a standard of no more than 1), showed a practical absence of this harmful component in their composition. The "alcohol" fuels had slightly more benzene, but also within the norm.
When checking the mass fraction of aromatic hydrocarbons, no strong surprises were found either. For reference – with an increase in the content of "aromatics", the toxicity of the exhaust increases, and more carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber. All indicators are within tolerance limits.
As for inexpensive alcohol gasolines, the main indicator that experts focused on was the amount of ethanol and methanol. Ideally, ethanol in alternative fuel should be at least thirty percent. For BRSM (31.8%), KLO (30%), ANP (35.4%) – everything is fine. But in the MOTTO sample, ethanol turned out to be 20.7%, as well as in other samples from this chain – regular A-95 and gasoline with the euro prefix, where it should not be at all. Obviously, all this fuel was poured from one "barrel", and most likely it was not produced under factory conditions. But the worst thing is that in one of the samples bought at MOTTO gas stations, methanol was found in the amount of 12%.
And what's the bottom line? Large players OKKO, SOCAR, ANP, BRSM-Nafta, KLO, WOG confirmed their reputation. Some prices are, of course, high, but the quality is stable. As for the MOTTO chain, judging by the results, so far there is only one recommendation – forget the way there, since saving on the price per liter will inevitably lead to expenses on repairing the fuel system and engine.
