Comments on: What’s So Premium About Premium Gasoline?

By: Yams

Yams — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:32:18 +0000

Graham, doesn’t Europe use mostly diesel? That may be a clue to your question but I’m not sure.

By: graham

graham — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:16:19 +0000

Does anyone know if the octane rating is the same in the US as it is in Europe…I was told that I need to use 89, not the recommended 93 because our 89 is their 93.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:28:38 +0000

We had a gas station that supposedly carried “86″. They closed it and razed it to the ground, but I still wonder. Not 85 or 87, but 86…

By: bodegas

bodegas — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:05:00 +0000

There are a few different means to achieving a higher octane rating. One is to add leaded compounds (no longer acceptable). Oxygenated compounds(i.e. alcohols)are also used. These raise the overall compression rating for the fuel, however oxygenates generally produce less usable energy when combusted, lowering (albeit perhaps insignificantly) gas mileage. Adding light (4-8 carbon) isoparaffin compounds significantly improves octane rating without the loss of power. High performance racing fuels and aviation fuels are commonly comprised exclusively of isoparaffinic compounds.

By: Scott-O

Scott-O — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:56:00 +0000

Don’t worry, BW- I laughed at the part about the engine “completed its stroke.” Yes, “fireonthemountain”, as a matter of fact I DID feel a need to respond but unlike you, however, I dismounted my high horse first.

BW- your fun belongs here more than the pompous arrogance of others. I hope you stay anyway.

By: tiffany

tiffany — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:27:00 +0000

i giggled too, BW.

By: n2y2

n2y2 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:34:00 +0000

When you go to the mountain States – Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Utah – the pumps start at 85 AKI (Anti-Knock Index, read Octane) where most cars are rated for 87 AKI.

Since the air is thinner and carries less oxygen at these high altitudes, it raises the effective AKI. Supposedly 85 AKI is equivalent to 87 above ~6,000ft.

However, I am always passing through when I see 85 octane gas, so I still fill up with the ‘mid-grade’ 87 octane just in case there is still some of that fuel left in the tank when I return to my normal altitude.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:43:00 +0000

thank you for that, it was very infomative.

By: Position Clicks

Position Clicks — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Reason #45: People think the higher the number the better the fuel. I know people that freak when you say your not using super, they tell me my car is going to blow up.

By: fireonthemountain

fireonthemountain — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:29:00 +0000

BW if you dont “belong” to this site why did you read the article and feel the need to respond?

– re-tard / – noun

Automotive, Machinery. an adjustment made in the setting of the distributor of an internal-combustion engine so that the spark for ignition in each cylinder is generated later in the cycle.