It's crucial to have a thorough understanding of how to properly refuel with CNG to avoid accidents. After all, improper handling of the fuel or a lack of care during refueling can be fatal.

This is because, when handled improperly, CNG can cause the car to explode or poison the people inside the vehicle. So, see below how to properly refuel with CNG to protect yourself.

Furthermore, remember that the smallest details are the ones that can put your life and the lives of your passengers at risk when you are refueling, so pay close attention.

Below you will find information on what natural gas fuel is, how it works in your car, whether it's worth investing in, and basic precautions you should take when refueling.

Natural gas (NGV) is related to petroleum and is extracted from porous limestone and sandstone rocks underground. Its basic component is methane gas, the same gas used in common cooking gas cylinders.

For CNG to be used as fuel, the vehicle needs to be adapted. Furthermore, it is recommended that this conversion be carried out only by workshops and mechanics authorized by Inmetro (Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology).

Ultimately, this care ensures the quality and guarantee of a good installation. Furthermore, it protects you against the risk of accidents involving you and your passengers, or damage to your vehicle.

In terms of operation, a CNG engine is similar to gasoline-powered engines, which operate with spark ignition. The difference is that the former requires the installation of a specific kit with components that will circulate the gas.

In this way, the vehicle will be fitted with piping, a gas cylinder, a valve seat, and more robust exhaust valves to ensure the fuel circulates safely.

Vehicles are refueled with CNG at a network of service stations specifically designed for this purpose. This is because the refueling system is similar to that of gasoline-powered cars, but precautions are necessary to avoid accidents.

Therefore, before starting the refueling process, the gas station attendant must ground the vehicle and the pump. The gas station is also responsible for complying with the permitted pressure limit, which must vary between 180 kgf/cm² and 220 kgf/cm², at most.

Ultimately, pressure exceeding 220 kgf/cm² can pose safety risks to the vehicle and people nearby. Furthermore, it reduces the lifespan of the CNG kit components.

First, the driver must ensure that the vehicle's engine is switched off, as well as the headlights and any electronic equipment inside the car. 

Furthermore, the doors and trunk should be open to allow for good air circulation. Also, neither the driver nor the passengers should remain inside the car during refueling.

And, very importantly, smoking is strictly prohibited at this time, as the fuel is highly flammable. Also, try to keep some liquid fuel in the tank, as this will ensure better vehicle performance.

Moreover, this measure also prevents damage to the injection system and the burning out of the electric fuel pump. 

To help you decide if owning a CNG-powered car is really worthwhile, we'll show you its advantages and disadvantages. See below.

The biggest advantage of cars running on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is the savings they offer when refueling. After all, fuel prices are constantly being readjusted, and there are no signs that they will go down.

Even though gas isn't cheap, the savings can be up to 60% compared to gasoline or ethanol.

Therefore, for those who drive a lot or use their car for work, these costs represent a significant portion of their monthly budget.

And if you need more information on this, know that it's easy to find websites online that can perform comparative calculations between different fuels. This way, you'll know if CNG is suitable for your needs.

Furthermore, vehicles powered by CNG are exempt from the IPVA tax rate and are less polluting, since the combustion of CNG emits almost no carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, making it one of the cleanest fuel sources.

Another advantage is that the oil lasts longer because the gas doesn't mix with the oil, keeping it clean for a longer time. Other components that also experience less wear are those in the injection system. After all, they also remain clean, and there's less chance of the injectors clogging.

Finally, the exhaust also lasts longer because there is no water buildup in it when using CNG.

However, there are some disadvantages to having a car that runs on CNG. One of them is that if the car is new and you choose to convert it, you will lose the manufacturer's warranty.

Furthermore, the power of a CNG engine is lower than that of gasoline engines, and it requires more frequent preventive maintenance. In addition, the network of CNG refueling stations is not yet present in all locations.

So, if you're going on a long trip and will be refueling with CNG, plan your route so you don't risk running out of fuel.

Moreover, although the cost of installing CNG is not very cheap, the return on investment happens in the short term, due to the savings made when refueling.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to take all necessary precautions for the proper maintenance of the system. 

With this information, we hope you are able to decide whether to convert your vehicle or buy a new one powered by CNG. And that this choice will be the best one for you.

Therefore, to find out the maintenance cost of a CNG vehicle, you can access the link below. There we will provide more details on this subject.