Octane levels. Regular fuel has an octane rating of about 87, while premium fuel, as the name suggests, has a higher rating of 91 plus. In short, BMW recommends a premium lead-free gas with an AKI rating of 91. However, it allows fuel consumption with a minimum AKI rating of 89, but BMW warns that its constant use can lead to engine knocking noises on takeoff, especially at high temperatures. However, this does not affect the life of the motor. This is not the case. On the contrary, it ensures the constant operation of your engine, because the high-octane fuel is shock resistant. BMW vehicles are known for their high performance, so they need better quality fuel from the start. Do not consider it as a “premium” fuel, but as a base fuel for a premium vehicle. Among the most popular oxygen-containing mixtures is E85 or Flex-Fuel. Flex-Fuel contains 85% ethanol. BMW does not recommend using such gasoline in X1, as there is a likelihood of damaging the engine and fuel supply system. Whatever your model, BMW recommends using only premium unleaded fuel.
Fueling your BMW or other car with premium gasoline can hurt your wallet. Depending on your BMW model, you can technically save money by using regular fuel, but it will come at a cost. We believe it`s not worth taking advantage of these savings now to risk damaging your vehicle. So, does BMW allow gasoline with additives for its X1? To avoid harmful engine deposits, BMW strongly recommends buying gasoline from BP or leading dealers. The detergent in Top Tier gasoline helps to keep the injectors and intake valves clean and avoid problems due to sludge buildup. Poor quality fuel causes shocks, because instead of burning immediately, it burns prematurely like several mini-explosions before the main detonation. These first detonations modify the combustion cycle, which leads to a knocking noise. Each of us has experienced the phenomenon of knocking.
Still, most don`t know that this can be caused by many factors, such as carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, out of sync combustion timing, faulty spark plugs, and poor fuel quality, among others. At a tank size of 16.6 gallons, it would cost $68.29 to fill it with regular unleaded fuel and $79.71 if it were filled with premium unleaded fuel. For a BMW X1 with a tank size of 16.1, those numbers are $66.24 and $77.31, respectively. The point to note here is that current gas prices are exceptionally high due to the current international political situation. And now that we have determined the recommended fuel requirements based on engine types. Let`s look at the other fuels available on the market and based on BMW`s recommendations, which of them can and cannot be used in X1. Octane values indicate the stability of the fuel under pressure. More octane means better stability.
Literally think of premium fuel as a healthy, balanced meal and regular fuel as fast food. The octane number, or anti-knock index, indicates how much the gas can be compressed before it explodes. The higher the octane number, the greater the compression and explosion. With a higher octane rating, there is less chance of a detonation occurring at the wrong time, which means efficient fuel combustion and higher energy transfer. The size of the fuel tank is one of the most important specifications taken into account by consumers when sizing a car. A fuel-efficient vehicle with a reasonable tank size is a great combination. The BMW X1 started with a tank size of 16.6 gallons, which was slightly reduced to 16.1 gallons in 2016. The fuel, which has been specially developed for use in BMW`s high-compression engines, is a 91+ octane fuel. This means you get more miles per gallon because the engine function is optimized, which means little fuel is wasted, so you can continue driving with a single tank of gasoline. You may not know that 91+ octane fuel is packed with great supplements that will greatly benefit your engine.
This fuel has a detergent specifically designed to prevent carbon buildup in your engine. The detergent even helps remove existing carbon, which it also finds in your engine system. This may mean that your engine is running at peak power for an extended period of time. This can help you avoid the need for repairs that a dirty engine can cause. High-octane fuel can withstand higher compression than lower-octane fuel. This is especially important for people who drive cars with highly compressive engines, such as some BMWs. Filling low-octane fuel in a car equipped with a high-compression engine could cause engine shock or ping, which can cause major damage if it lasts a long time. According to the BMW X1 user manual, the recommended fuel must be sulphur-free or low-sulphur, contain no lead or other metals such as iron or magnesium and have an octane number between 89 and 91. RFG meets all these criteria and is suitable for use in X1.
BMW warns against low-quality fuels, as this can lead to the accumulation of harmful engine deposits. Poor quality fuels are also the cause of problems such as starting problem, engine stall, maneuverability, etc. However, if the engine continues to knock despite the use of premium fuel, it is advisable to consult a licensed BMW technician and have the car checked. The recommended fuel for the BMW X1 is premium unleaded fuel (AKI rating 91), while the minimum fuel with an AKI rating of 89 is regularly unleaded. The current national average price for unleaded regular fuel is $4,114, while $4,802 applies to the unleaded premium. A little lesson on an engine cycle: An air-fuel mixture is pushed into the combustion chamber, the spark plug ignites it and the ensuing explosion emits energy. If an engine with a higher compression ratio, such as the one installed in the models of our new BMW fleet, consumes less stable fuel, it can burn prematurely – a phenomenon called “knocking” or “pinging” due to the rattling noise. That`s not to say that your BMW won`t run on low-quality fuel, but top-quality unleaded fuel will maintain its quality in the long run and allow you to consistently drive to optimal performance. Inferior fuel is not able to provide the same level of care, which means that the integral components of your engine are exposed to heat damage. Cheap gasoline is also likely to be free of conditioners and useful additives that help keep the engine running smoothly.
They may even have a higher level of contaminants, and over time, these can clog your filters and settle throughout your BMW`s engine system. Another disadvantage of using regular fuel is that, because it adjusts the power of your engine, you lose some of the power of your car and experience slower acceleration rates. However, this is not a big loss. Most cars that are recommended to use Premium but switch to regular gasoline lose almost 10HP. This probably isn`t a big deal if you`re just relying on your twin to get around the city, but it`s important to keep this in mind, especially if you bought your BMW for its performance. Automotive experts disagree on the benefits of gasoline additives. At best, there is a consensus that these are not harmful to the engine, but the high claims about improved performance and better fuel efficiency are also not entirely true. In general, if your car is in good condition and working well, there is no need to use gasoline with additives. Fuel prices fluctuate constantly and rise steadily. In a tough economic climate, it can be difficult to spend extra cents on high-performance gasoline. However, it`s important to remember that the right fuel, in this case 91+ octane fuel, has great benefits for your car: after comparing the 20 most fuel-efficient small car SUVs for fuel economy, the BMW X1 ranks 13th with 31 MPG on the highway and 23 MPG in the city. These are averages, and depending on whether the X1 is AWD or RWD and whether it`s a 2.0-liter or 3.0-liter engine, these numbers are different.
It`s understandable to try to save money wherever you can, but when it comes to your BMW and the fuel you consume, you shouldn`t try to save.