From 1st September 2009, the Malaysians were introduced to a new petrol called RON 95. On 3rd September 2009, an article was published in the Starbiz section of the Star entitled “Saving With RON 95” (please refer to the above image). From the headline, it made me want to rush to the petrol station and fill up my almost empty fuel tank of my Gen-2. However, hoping to be a smart consumer, I felt the urgency to check on the story first. Thus, here’s the result of my findings.
Firstly, let’s see if those Malaysians who rushed off to fill their cars’ fuel tank upon reading the article “Saving With RON 95” really save their precious Ringgit. On the surface, by switching from RON 97 to RON 95 the consumer saved RM 0.25 per litre or RM 10.00 for a 40 litre tank. This is just the price difference of RON 97 and RON 95.
Secondly, when we allowed for time comparison, effectively there is no saving at all! Prior to 1st September, we were using RON 97 at RM 1.80 per litre. After 1st September, if we switch to RON 95, the price is still RM 1.80 per litre. In other words, the monthly budget (if there is one!) for fuel consumption remains constant. There will be no reduction, so don’t ever dream of increasing the budget of other items such as food or clothing.
Thirdly, after having compared the price difference, to pursue the value for money analysis, we have to study the products in detail. What is the difference between RON 97 and RON 95. For that matter, what is RON?
RON stands for Research Octane Number. It is an octane rating number and is a measure of the resistance of fuels to detonation (engine knocking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines. Detonation reduces the engine efficiency thus affects the vehicle’s performance. The higher the number, the more resistance to detonation the fuel is.
Therefore, switching from RON 97 to RON 95 will reduce your vehicle’s performance, hence, the saving of RM 0.25 per litre. One welcoming note though, all Perodua and Proton cars are compatible with RON 95 (this statement is taken from the above-mentioned article “Saving With RON 95”).
Do you think we have covered all avenues. Sorry. There is another issue to consider. Do you drive the following vehicles? Suzuki Swift Sport, Honda Civic Type R, Mitsubishi Airtek Turbo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Range Rover and Skoda 200FSI. If you do, you might have to adjust your monthly budget. Using performance vehicles such as these made the usage of RON 95 a no-no! These vehicles are incompatible with RON 95.
Finally, taking this matter a little bit further, for those of you who are on the look out for a brand new Hari Raya vehicle to parade it on your “Balik Kampong”, I would suggest to include in your checklist an additional question to the salesman – “Is the vehicle RON 95 compatible?”.
Firstly, let’s see if those Malaysians who rushed off to fill their cars’ fuel tank upon reading the article “Saving With RON 95” really save their precious Ringgit. On the surface, by switching from RON 97 to RON 95 the consumer saved RM 0.25 per litre or RM 10.00 for a 40 litre tank. This is just the price difference of RON 97 and RON 95.
Secondly, when we allowed for time comparison, effectively there is no saving at all! Prior to 1st September, we were using RON 97 at RM 1.80 per litre. After 1st September, if we switch to RON 95, the price is still RM 1.80 per litre. In other words, the monthly budget (if there is one!) for fuel consumption remains constant. There will be no reduction, so don’t ever dream of increasing the budget of other items such as food or clothing.
Thirdly, after having compared the price difference, to pursue the value for money analysis, we have to study the products in detail. What is the difference between RON 97 and RON 95. For that matter, what is RON?
RON stands for Research Octane Number. It is an octane rating number and is a measure of the resistance of fuels to detonation (engine knocking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines. Detonation reduces the engine efficiency thus affects the vehicle’s performance. The higher the number, the more resistance to detonation the fuel is.
Therefore, switching from RON 97 to RON 95 will reduce your vehicle’s performance, hence, the saving of RM 0.25 per litre. One welcoming note though, all Perodua and Proton cars are compatible with RON 95 (this statement is taken from the above-mentioned article “Saving With RON 95”).
Do you think we have covered all avenues. Sorry. There is another issue to consider. Do you drive the following vehicles? Suzuki Swift Sport, Honda Civic Type R, Mitsubishi Airtek Turbo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Range Rover and Skoda 200FSI. If you do, you might have to adjust your monthly budget. Using performance vehicles such as these made the usage of RON 95 a no-no! These vehicles are incompatible with RON 95.
Finally, taking this matter a little bit further, for those of you who are on the look out for a brand new Hari Raya vehicle to parade it on your “Balik Kampong”, I would suggest to include in your checklist an additional question to the salesman – “Is the vehicle RON 95 compatible?”.
