Gasoline: The new big U.S. export

[TeyshaBlue]

I think it's another mishap on his english. He probably meant to say that the "energy density" is higher with higher compression ratios (internal combustion engines increase their efficiency with higher pressure).

Those of us who haven't made millions off of this issue refer to this as Carnot's Theorem. It's a stepchild of the 2nd law of Thermodynamics.

[EVAY]

I can't tell the difference between high/low octane in my vehicle (except the cost). I guess it depends on what you drive. Unless you are getting gas at some ty gas station that doesn't properly maintain their tanks, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem with build-up.

I always wondered if it was the east coast gasoline distributors who were screwing up their gas pumps. Couldn't get any decent beef from a grocery store there either...at any price! LOL! I was in D.C. and Maryland at the time.

[ElNono]

Those of us who haven't made millions off of this issue refer to this as Carnot's Theorem. It's a stepchild of the 2nd law of Thermodynamics.

right. We just need an online WC to English dictionary...

[clambake]

i need to score some 93.

[ElNono]

Where you at, clam?

[TeyshaBlue]

But Teysha, if I were like you and able to fix my own engines, I would probably be happy to use lower grades of gasoline. I've always been impressed with people who can do that. Anything mechanical is beyond me.

I'm too lazy to do much of that anymore. Mainly just on our buggies. But, I've never had a repair issue that was the result of cheap gas...period...even in my buggies and dirt bikes.

[DarrinS]

I always wondered if it was the east coast gasoline distributors who were screwing up their gas pumps. Couldn't get any decent beef from a grocery store there either...at any price! LOL! I was in D.C. and Maryland at the time.

I mostly go to Exxon or, occasionally Valero. I try to avoid old or dirty looking stations, if I can.

[TeyshaBlue]

Where you at, clam?

Neptune.

[Blake]

My car requires premium now, but I remember driving a Mazda in the late '80's to early '90's that was supposed to be able to drive on normal gas.
But whenever I put S regular gas into it the car would just stop dead in the oddest places (like the middle of the intersection!)...I had to use premium gas or else. I think it's worth the price difference for me.

But Teysha, if I were like you and able to fix my own engines, I would probably be happy to use lower grades of gasoline. I've always been impressed with people who can do that. Anything mechanical is beyond me.

You sure it was the gas and not your early 90s mazda?

[ElNono]

My associate here fixes all our cars, flat tires, etc. Can't even begin to describe what a money saver it is. Mechanics is his "hobby", although sometimes it definitely looks like a part-time job

[clambake]

Where you at, clam?

socal

[EVAY]

I'm too lazy to do much of that anymore. Mainly just on our buggies. But, I've never had a repair issue that was the result of cheap gas...period...even in my buggies and dirt bikes.

The correlation between S 's 87 gas and my car dying at inopportune times was 100%, as was the lack of problem if I used better grades of gas. But I never had a problem with any other car. I use premium now because the manufacturer says to (and I'm always obedient to any authority...LOL).

[DarrinS]

I'm too lazy to do much of that anymore. Mainly just on our buggies. But, I've never had a repair issue that was the result of cheap gas...period...even in my buggies and dirt bikes.

Don't know if your buggies are based on VW Beetle, but I owned a 74 Beetle, and doing mechanical work on it was just part of the VW ownership experience.

[clambake]

Neptune.

shut up.......buggy fixin parts changer.

[ElNono]

socal

If you have to have it, you can probably buy some 100 octane race fuel and mix it up with 91... Not sure what the ratio should be though. Look it up online.

[TeyshaBlue]

shut up.......buggy fixin parts changer.

A promotion for me!

[TeyshaBlue]

Don't know if your buggies are based on VW Beetle, but I owned a 74 Beetle, and doing mechanical work on it was just part of the VW ownership experience.

Oooohhh..A Super Beetle.

Elitist!

[clambake]

If you have to have it, you can probably buy some 100 octane race fuel and mix it up with 91... Not sure what the ratio should be though. Look it up online.

i didn't have to have it until i knew you had it.

this is an outrage!

[TeyshaBlue]

i didn't have to have it until i knew you had it.

this is an outrage!

Occupy the local Exxon, you git!

[ElNono]

i didn't have to have it until i knew you had it.

this is an outrage!

What you have to remember is that with higher al ude there's less atmospheric pressure, so the octane requirements are less. That's why you normally see lower octane ratings in places like Colorado. Not sure if that's what's going on in SoCal too.

[clambake]

Occupy the local Exxon, you git!

i'm gonna have to hire a load of hippies.

[clambake]

What you have to remember is that with higher al ude there's less atmospheric pressure, so the octane requirements are less. That's why you normally see lower octane ratings in places like Colorado. Not sure if that's what's going on in SoCal too.

so......i need to increase the atmospheric pressure.

eh, doesn't sound too hard.

[ElNono]

Just found this about SoCal:

Oxygenate blending adds oxygen-bearing compounds such as MTBE, ETBE and ethanol. The presence of these oxygenates reduces the amount of carbon monoxide and unburned fuel in the exhaust gas. In many areas throughout the US, oxygenate blending is mandated by EPA regulations to reduce smog and other airborne pollutants. For example, in Southern California, fuel must contain 2% oxygen by weight, resulting in a mixture of 5.6% ethanol in gasoline. The resulting fuel is often known as reformulated gasoline (RFG) or oxygenated gasoline, or in the case of California, California reformulated gasoline. The federal requirement that RFG contain oxygen was dropped on 6 May 2006 because the industry had developed VOC-controlled RFG that did not need additional oxygen.

[clambake]

Just found this about SoCal:

Oxygenate blending adds oxygen-bearing compounds such as MTBE, ETBE and ethanol. The presence of these oxygenates reduces the amount of carbon monoxide and unburned fuel in the exhaust gas. In many areas throughout the US, oxygenate blending is mandated by EPA regulations to reduce smog and other airborne pollutants. For example, in Southern California, fuel must contain 2% oxygen by weight, resulting in a mixture of 5.6% ethanol in gasoline. The resulting fuel is often known as reformulated gasoline (RFG) or oxygenated gasoline, or in the case of California, California reformulated gasoline. The federal requirement that RFG contain oxygen was dropped on 6 May 2006 because the industry had developed VOC-controlled RFG that did not need additional oxygen.

don't hand me that . i want what i want!

[Agloco]

The higher the octane of gasoline, the greater the energy density. This is what makes the difference. At today's gas prices, this energy density increase is worth the 20 cents more per gallon.