Non Subsidized Fuel Prices Keep Rising Here’s How to Save Fuel

Pertamax Turbo is priced at Rp19,600/liter. Dexlite at Rp23,700/liter. Pertamina Dex at Rp25,200/liter.

For motorists who rely daily on non subsidized fuel, these price hikes represent more than just figures displayed at gas stations; they translate into a tangible increase in vehicle operating costs.

As of September 1, 2026, the prices of several non subsidized Pertamina fuels have been adjusted. In the Java region, for instance, the price of Pertamax Turbo rose by approximately 7.1% to Rp19,600 per liter. Dexlite increased by about 20.3% to Rp23,700 per liter, while Pertamina Dex rose by around 19.1% to Rp25,200 per liter. These prices may vary across different regions of Indonesia.

In this context, the question facing vehicle owners is no longer simply, “Which fuel is the cheapest?”

Instead, the question becomes: “How can I ensure that every liter of fuel I purchase is utilized as efficiently as possible by the engine?”

This is where the condition of the fuel system particularly the fuel injectors becomes a factor that cannot be overlooked.

Fuel Prices Rise: Why Does Engine Maintenance Become Crucial?

When fuel prices are relatively low, a difference of a few kilometers per liter in fuel consumption might seem insignificant. However, as fuel prices rise and vehicles are driven daily, that difference can accumulate into a substantial cost.

Consider a simple example.
If a car is driven 1,000 km per month with an average fuel consumption of 10 km/liter, the fuel requirement is approximately 100 liters per month.

At a fuel price of Rp20,000 per liter, the monthly fuel cost comes to around Rp2,000,000.

Therefore, in addition to fuel prices, vehicle owners should also consider the engine’s fuel efficiency.

However, one point needs to be clarified.

Fuel economy does not simply mean making the engine consume the absolute minimum amount of fuel by any means necessary.

True efficiency is achieved when the engine delivers the required performance through an optimal combustion process.

One Thing Often Overlooked: The Condition of the Fuel Injector

Fuel injectors perform a critical function.

This component is responsible for injecting fuel into the engine at specific quantities and in specific spray patterns.

In modern engines, these spray characteristics are crucial, as they directly influence the fuel-air mixing process and combustion.

The issue is that injectors do not always operate under ideal conditions; over the course of vehicle use, deposits can accumulate on the injector.

Research on gasoline direct injection engines indicates that injector deposits can alter spray characteristics, including droplet size and penetration patterns. These deposits can also disrupt fuel flow, thereby affecting fuel economy and emissions.

In other words, when an injector becomes dirty, the issue goes beyond the mere fact that it looks dirty.

What matters more is how that condition affects the fuel spraying and combustion processes.

Dirty injectors do not always cause a car to break down immediately.

This is why injector issues often go unnoticed for a long time; the vehicle remains operational:

The engine still runs.
The AC still blows cold air.
The car remains usable.

However, performance may gradually deteriorate. For instance:

acceleration feels less responsive,
idling feels rough,
the engine feels sluggish,
fuel consumption begins to rise,
engine response is not as sharp as before.

Of course, these symptoms do not automatically indicate dirty injectors. Similar issues can stem from various other components, such as sensors, the ignition system, filters, fuel pressure, or the engine’s mechanical condition.

Nevertheless, if the vehicle has covered significant mileage and the fuel system has not received proper maintenance, the condition of the injectors is certainly worth checking.

So, should you immediately switch to cheaper fuel?

Not necessarily. When the prices of Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, or Pertamina Dex rise, some users might immediately consider switching to a cheaper fuel option.

However, fuel selection should still adhere to the specifications recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Do not switch fuel types simply because the price is lower if that fuel does not meet the engine’s requirements.

A more sensible approach is to find ways to optimize the vehicle you already own for instance, through regular maintenance of the fuel system.

Fuel Injector Cleaner: It Doesn’t Lower Fuel Prices, but Helps the Engine Utilize Fuel More Optimally

This is a commonly misunderstood point.
Fuel injector cleaner does not lower the price of fuel at the gas station.

Nor is this product a “magic fix” that automatically makes every vehicle more fuel-efficient.

Its primary function is to help clean deposits from the fuel system and injectors, allowing these components to operate in better condition.

If deposits are already interfering with the spray pattern or fuel flow, keeping the injectors clean can help restore the fuel system to more optimal operating conditions.

In other words:
It does not reduce the price per liter, but rather helps optimize the use of every liter of fuel.

Here’s How D31 Fuel Injector Cleaner Can Be Part of Preventive Maintenance

One of the solutions offered by D31 is a line of fuel injector cleaners for both gasoline and diesel vehicles.

D31 GFIC — Gasoline Fuel Injector Cleaner
For gasoline powered vehicles.

D31 GFIC is designed to help maintain the cleanliness of the gasoline fuel system, including the injector areas and the pathways involved in the combustion process.

This treatment can help:

reduce deposit buildup,
keep injectors clean,
support an optimal fuel spray pattern,
aid the combustion process,
maintain engine performance.

D31 DFIC — Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaner
For diesel powered vehicles.

DFIC is intended to help keep diesel injection systems clean from deposits that can form during operation.

This is particularly important for modern diesel vehicles that utilize high-pressure injection systems.

D31 offers both types of fuel injector cleaners as part of its automotive maintenance product range.

How to Decide: GFIC or DFIC?

Vehicle	D31 Product
Petrol car	D31 GFIC
Petrol engine	D31 GFIC
Diesel car	D31 DFIC
Diesel operational vehicle	D31 DFIC
Diesel engine with an injection system	D31 DFIC

The principle is simple:
Gasoline → GFIC
Diesel → DFIC

Always use the product according to the engine type and follow the usage instructions on the product.

Can Injector Cleaner Make All Cars More Fuel Efficient?

The answer is:
There is no guarantee that every vehicle will experience the same level of fuel savings.

Fuel efficiency is influenced by numerous factors, such as:
engine condition, driving style, traffic congestion, tire pressure, vehicle load, fuel system condition, fuel quality, air conditioning usage, and road conditions.

An injector cleaner is not a substitute for vehicle servicing.

However, if efficiency issues are linked to deposits in the injectors or fuel system, keeping the system clean is a sensible part of vehicle maintenance.

This aligns with research on injector deposits, which indicates that deposits can affect spray characteristics and combustion performance in certain engines.

Don’t Try to Save Fuel the Wrong Way

When fuel prices rise, there are several steps that are actually more important to take before looking for “fuel saving products.”

Ensure proper tire pressure
Under inflated tires increase rolling resistance, requiring the vehicle to use more energy to move.

Reduce unnecessary weight
The heavier the vehicle, the more energy is required for acceleration.

Avoid excessive acceleration and braking
Aggressive stop and go driving habits can increase fuel consumption.

Perform regular servicing
Do not use fuel additives as a substitute for essential maintenance.

Monitor the condition of the fuel system
Injectors, fuel filters, fuel pumps, and other components should be checked according to the vehicle’s requirements.

Use fuel as recommended by the manufacturer
Do not downgrade fuel specifications simply to save on costs.

Who Needs to Pay Attention to Fuel Injector Maintenance?

Fuel system maintenance is increasingly relevant for vehicles that:

are used daily,
frequently encounter traffic congestion,
cover long distances,
have high mileage,
serve as operational vehicles,
frequently undergo stop-and-go driving,
are starting to feel less responsive,
or require performance preservation as part of preventive maintenance.

For corporate operational vehicles, attention to efficiency is even more critical, as these vehicles may cover thousands of kilometers each month.

Even a slight difference in fuel consumption per kilometer, when sustained over time, can impact operating costs.

When Fuel Prices Rise, Don’t Just Look for Cheaper Fuel

Rising prices for non subsidized fuel make vehicle efficiency increasingly relevant.

As of September 1, 2026, the prices of Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex in the Java region have indeed risen, with Dexlite and Pertamina Dex seeing significant increases compared to their previous rates.

However, saving on vehicle costs does not always mean switching to cheaper fuel.

A more effective approach is to:
use the fuel recommended for the vehicle → maintain the engine → care for the fuel system → monitor consumption → calculate the cost per kilometer.

If injector deposits are compromising fuel system performance, a Fuel Injector Cleaner can serve as part of a preventive maintenance strategy.

For this purpose, D31 GFIC and D31 DFIC offer maintenance options tailored to the vehicle’s fuel type.

Ultimately, as fuel prices rise, our priority is not merely the cost per liter, but how optimally the vehicle utilizes every liter we have paid for.

Get the original D31 at Panca Makmur Baru.

PT Panca Makmur Baru is the official provider of D31 products, including:

D31 GFIC — Gasoline Fuel Injector Cleaner
For gasoline vehicles.
D31 DFIC — Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaner
For diesel vehicles.
D31 Nano Based Oil Additive
For the maintenance and enhanced protection of engine lubrication systems.

D31 is part of the automotive MRO chemical line offered by Panca Makmur Baru to support vehicle and engine maintenance needs.

Want to know which D31 product is right for your vehicle? Contact the Panca Makmur Baru team to discuss your vehicle type and maintenance requirements before purchasing.

Want to know more or place an order? Contact us at PT Panca Makmur Baru—the official distributor of D31 in Indonesia. Click the “Contact Us” button now!