Barry Oliver <barrysuperhawk@comcast.net> wrote:
> I always thought the lower the octane, the closer to pure gas you were
> and thusly getting more energy [potential]. Higher octane having MORE
> additives...
Yep, that is true. I don't recall now if that is because lower
octane gas has more energy, or simply because it requires more energy
to ignite the higher octane stuff, but its probably a combination of
the two. (Probably depends on what they are using to increase the
octane and how its energy density compares to the base fuel.) You'll
make the most power by using the lowest octane that you can get away
with. Trouble is, you can start getting into preignition before its
obvious, so it would be a bit of a hassle to figure out the exact
calibration you need based on current elevation, weather, etc., so
you'll likely end up running a little more octane than you technically
need most of the time, but since you're not running on the ragged
edge, you don't need to worry about preignition or detonation every
time conditions change. (When driving to a lower elevation or through
a high pressure weather system, for example.)
There's something of a misconception regarding higher octane being
better because higher numbers are always better, right? Plus its more
expensive so it must be better. And it sounds cool! "High octane,
yeah!!!". :-) This then gets "backed up" by someone who increases
their octane and notices better performance or higher gas mileage.
The only reason for that to happen from an octane increase alone is
because they were running with an octane rating that was too low
before, and the higher octane has cured a preignition problem.
--
-Jon-
.- Jon Steiger -- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
| '96 Kolb Firefly, '96 Suzuki Intruder, Miscellaneous Mopars |
`-------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
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