Super 98 vs Special 95: Fuel for Your UAE Rental

The right petrol for a rental car is the grade specified for that exact vehicle. Start with its fuel flap or model-year handbook and confirm the instruction at handover. The badge, rental price and description “luxury car” do not tell you which pump to choose.

In the UAE, Super 98 and Special 95 are familiar petrol grades. ENOC's fuel retail information lists both. The useful difference is their octane rating, not a promise that the more expensive option will improve every car.

What do 95 and 98 mean?

RON means Research Octane Number. It measures resistance to engine knock, not petrol purity or energy content. Super 98 has a higher RON rating than Special 95. The engine's specified requirement determines which is appropriate.

Ford's technical glossary explains octane and the different rating methods. North American pump numbers commonly use AKI = (RON + MON) / 2, where MON is Motor Octane Number. A US pump number and a UAE RON number are not numerically interchangeable. If you find an American manual online, make sure you are reading the correct market specification for the car you have rented.

Minimum and recommended fuel are different instructions

A minimum is the lowest octane rating the manufacturer permits under the stated conditions. A recommended grade can be higher, with the handbook explaining the intended performance benefit. Do not read “recommended 98” as permission to use anything below the stated minimum.

For a concrete example, the Ford GT fuel-quality manual specifies at least 95 RON and 98 RON or higher for optimum performance. This illustrates how a manufacturer distinguishes the two instructions. It does not establish a fuel rule for Superior's fleet or another Ford model.

Use this approach at handover:

1. Identify the vehicle. Check the model, model year and engine version; a familiar model name can cover different engines.
2. Find the vehicle-specific fuel instruction. Ask to see the flap label or correct handbook page, including any fuel specification beyond the octane number.
3. Confirm the rental instruction. Ask which grade the provider requires for this car and have it recorded with your handover details.
4. Resolve any disagreement before filling. If the label, handbook and verbal advice differ, contact the provider instead of guessing.

Does every luxury rental need Super 98?

No universal rule can be inferred from the word “luxury”. Do not assume that all luxury cars require 98, or that 95 is suitable for every petrol engine. Use the documentation for the vehicle in front of you.

Likewise, do not switch grades solely because it is hot outside. Follow any conditions in the manufacturer's instructions and the provider's confirmed fuel requirement. A general article about UAE weather cannot replace those instructions.

Will Super 98 save money on fuel?

Do not budget for a guaranteed fuel-economy improvement simply because the RON number is higher. Whether an engine benefits from a higher grade depends on its design and the manufacturer's guidance.

Once you have confirmed which grades are permitted, compare the prices displayed at the station. For example, if one grade hypothetically costs AED 0.20 more per litre, a 50-litre fill costs AED 10 more. Those are illustrative figures, not current UAE pump prices. A small price difference is never a reason to use fuel below the car's requirement.

At the petrol station and before returning the car

Tell the attendant the confirmed fuel type and grade, or check the pump yourself before filling. Say the grade clearly and check the receipt. Keep it until the rental has been settled so there is a record of what was purchased.

If you think the wrong fuel has been added, stop refuelling and contact the rental provider immediately. If the engine is off, leave it off until you have instructions. If you are already driving, stop somewhere safe and contact the provider. Do not try to remedy the situation with additives or another fuel without advice for that vehicle.

Fuel grade and return level are separate issues. Superior's terms and conditions state that the car must be returned with the same fuel level as at collection, with no compensation for excess fuel. Record the starting level and confirm the applicable refuelling arrangements at handover; do not assume every car starts with a full tank.

Before choosing a car, browse the current fleet. Once your vehicle is confirmed, ask Superior for its fuel instructions. Our luxury rental cost guide helps you budget fuel alongside the rental charge, tolls and parking.