When you pull up to the gas pump, you should be able to fill your car with any kind of gas since gas is gas, right? Well, this isn’t exactly the case. In fact, using the wrong type of gas can lead to disastrous effects, which is why you should understand the various types of gasoline for cars.

Gasoline is a colorless liquid, which means it has no inherent color of its own. The reason why people often associate gasoline with a particular color is due to the additives that are added to it. These additives are blended into the gasoline to improve its performance and efficiency, as well as to meet various regulations.

The US Department of Energy noted that the average car can travel 24.2 miles per gallon (MPG) of gas. Light trucks and vans are significantly less fuel-efficient with just 17.5 MPG. The exact figures vary between vehicle types, as well as makes and models.