Top 5 Petro Products: Hidden Essentials for Your Daily Drive

Beyond gasoline, petroleum plays a big role in your daily commute.

Jan 06, 2025

Every day, millions of us hop into our cars for the commute to work. What many don’t realize is how petroleum, beyond just gasoline, plays a significant role in almost every aspect of this journey.

From the vehicle itself to the infrastructure and even the personal items we carry, petroleum products make modern transportation possible. Let’s take a closer look at five essential items or components on your daily drive that rely on petroleum.

1. Gasoline: The Heart of the Commute

The most obvious petroleum product on any drive is gasoline. Derived from crude oil, gasoline is the fuel that powers most internal combustion engines. It’s refined and treated to ensure efficient burning and to meet environmental standards. Without it, most of the world’s transportation would grind to a halt.

Gasoline is more than just a means of propulsion; it represents decades of innovation. Modern formulations are blended with additives to enhance engine performance, reduce emissions, and even clean internal components as you drive. The ubiquity of gas stations underscores its role as a cornerstone of the global economy.

2. Tires: Rolling on Petrochemical Compounds

Tires are often overlooked, but they are a marvel of petroleum engineering. Modern tires are primarily made from synthetic rubber—a petrochemical product—blended with natural rubber. Synthetic rubber is derived from polymers such as styrene-butadiene, which is created using byproducts of petroleum refining.

This composition ensures durability, elasticity, and resistance to temperature fluctuations, all critical for safe driving. Petroleum-derived materials also play a role in the carbon black used to strengthen the rubber, providing resilience and extending tire lifespan. Without petroleum, we’d be riding on far less efficient and durable wheels.

3. Plastics in the Car Interior and Exterior

Your car is a showcase of petroleum-based plastics. From the dashboard to the upholstery, plastic materials provide durability, lightweight construction, and cost-efficiency. Polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are common plastics derived from petroleum used in automotive manufacturing.

Lightweight plastics reduce vehicle weight, improving fuel efficiency and lowering emissions. Meanwhile, petroleum-based foams are used in seat cushions and insulating materials. Even the trim and coatings—designed for aesthetics and protection—rely heavily on petrochemical derivatives.

4. Roads and Asphalt: Petroleum Beneath Your Wheels

While driving, you probably don’t think about the road itself, but asphalt—the primary material used in paving roads—is a direct product of petroleum. It’s made from bitumen, a heavy residue left after refining crude oil. Asphalt’s binding properties and resistance to wear make it indispensable for modern roadways.

Petroleum-based materials are also used in road paint, which ensures visibility and safety. The reflective beads often embedded in these paints come coated with petrochemical products for durability. Thus, petroleum doesn’t just power the car; it provides the very infrastructure that supports your journey.

5. Everyday Items in Your Car

Finally, consider the personal items you bring along on your commute—many of these rely on petroleum as well. Your smartphone, for example, contains plastic components derived from petrochemicals, as does its protective case.

The synthetic fabric in your gym bag or work backpack, the disposable coffee cup lid, and even the sunglasses you wear on sunny mornings—all are likely products of petroleum.

Petroleum’s reach extends to almost every facet of modern life, and these small items underscore how deeply it’s integrated into our daily routines.

Conclusion

Petroleum’s role in your drive to work extends far beyond gasoline. It’s in the tires that grip the road, the plastics that make your car functional and stylish, the asphalt beneath your wheels, and even the everyday items you carry. While there is an increasing push toward renewable energy and sustainable materials, petroleum remains a cornerstone of modern transportation infrastructure and daily life.

Next time you head out for work, take a moment to appreciate the myriad ways petroleum touches your journey. It’s a reminder of both the convenience it brings and the challenges we face as we move toward a more sustainable future.

Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?

Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.

CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL PARAMOUNT + DISCOUNT LINK