Just stirring the pot..:>)........I have often found I get better fuel
economy...MPG, when not using the highest octane rated premium gasoline.
MORE THAN YOU'D EVER WANT TO KNOW........:>)
The octane rating is the measure of the fuel's resistance to autoignition.
When autoignition occurs the gas pressure wave it causes superimposes on the
normal pressure wave of the combustion chamber. These two waves interact to
create a third sawtooth-shaped wave pattern of pressure oscillations. The
pressure oscillations create the knocking sound.
http://chemistry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.turborick.
com/gsxr1127/gasoline.html
http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa070401a.htm?IAM=sherlock_abc&ter
ms=octane+ratings
Gasoline consists of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. Most of these are
alkanes with 4-10 carbon atoms per molecule. Smaller amounts of aromatic
compounds are present. Virtually no alkenes or alkynes are present in
gasoline.
Gasoline pumps typically post octane numbers as an average of two different
values. Often you may see the octane rating quoted as (R+M)/2. One value is
the research octane number (RON), which is determined with a test engine
running at a low speed of 600 rpm. The other value is the motor octane
number (MON), which is determined with a test engine running at a higher
speed of 900 rpm. If, for example, a gasoline has an RON of 98 and a MON of
90, then the posted octane number would be the average of the two values or
94.
High octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane gasoline in
preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning
the engine. Consumers should select the lowest octane grade at which the
engine runs without knocking. Occasional light knocking or pinging
won't harm the engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane. On the
other hand, a heavy or persistent knock may result in engine damage.
Additional Reading
American Petroleum Institute - The API represents the US oil and natural gas
industry. Automobile Fuels - This is Fana Fana's consumer information about
automotive fuels. Alternatives to gasoline are discussed. Automotive
Gasoline FAQ - This is Bruce Hamilton's very well-referenced article,
converted into HTML by Kyle Hamar. Ethanol Frequently Asked Questions -
These FAQs have been compiled by the Nebraska Ethanol Board. FAQ: Automotive
Gasoline - Bruce Hamilton's FAQ is an excerpt from a comprehensive paper
about gasoline as an automotive fuel. This 'excerpt' is still quite
detailed. Gasoline FAQ - Part 1 of 4 - This is the starting point for Bruce
Hamilton's (Industrial Research Limited) comprehensive gasoline FAQs.
Gasoline FAQs - Detailed information about octane ratings is provided.
Howstuffworks: How Car Engines Work - If you don't know how it works, then
this is the article for you! The graphics are cool, but a printable version
of the article is also available. Howstuffworks: What does octane mean? -
This is Marshall Brain's answer to the question. Implementation of the
Reformulated Gasoline Program - This is a Congressional Research Service
Report to the US Congress. The legal perspective is more detailed than in
other online references. Making the right gasoline decisions - Amy Wieser's
article provides advice on selecting the best octane rating. Octane Ratings
- This article contains information about the damage that can be caused by
knock and includes a discussion about oxygenated fuels. The Low-Down on High
Octane Gasoline - This is a 1997 Federal Trade Commission article on
selecting the appropriate octane rating for your automobile. What Octane
Rating of Gasoline Should I Use? - J. Daniel Emmanuel's recommendations are
based on his experience working with different auto manufacturers.
http://www.grapeaperacing.com/GrapeApeRacing/tech/fueloctane.htm
> From: mototune <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: GTS-1000 Owners List
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 07:37:39 -0400 To:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: engine rebuild update
>
> Good morning Mike. No offense taken. I was just trying to avoid getting into
> having to convince you or anyone else to change his or her habits or beliefs
> on my account. You see I've been on another club as I have other bikes as
> well. I found myself in many a situation where people thought I had to
> convince them that my ways were better ot that I was competing for their
> business. Then there were the do-it yourselfers & racers\competitors that were
> demanding how-to articles, guarantees as well as other things.. Well I got off
> that club because I'm not interested in any of the above. Just because my
> e-mail starts of with a name of a bike shop, it doesn't mean I'm here for
> doing business. I'm not a racer or competitor or even a professor. I probably
> could do all of those things but then I'm the one not having any fun. I love
> experimenting with the internal combustion engine & motorcycles in general. I
> don't do any of this in the public eye. Sometimes I may speculate a little ,
> but it's only a little. Since, your interest is genuine I can say this on the
> fuel thing. Remember though that this is very basic. As a general rule let's
> say, a compression ratio of less than 10:1 is usually considered LOW or
> capable of burning pretty LOW octane fuel. Since the compression ratio is LOW
> a fuel is required that will burn or ignite at relatively cool cylinder
> temperatures, this is where Regular fuel comes in, why should you pay for a
> fuel that requires a higher flash point than is needed. Now a compression
> ratio of higher than 10:1 is considered a hgh compression . Which means that
> the fuel will be compressed at consideribly higher levels thus creating a much
> hotter cylinder pressure. A fuel that has a higher flash point is required for
> proper combustion. This is where Premium comes in. Now to mix it up a bit I
> must add that engine designers have found , that if they can run an engine at
> the closest possible point before the dreaded detonation & pre-ignition starts
> to happen, they can achieve power ,torque, fuel efficiency & yes, reliability
> with lower octane fuels & at the same time using these higher compression
> ratios. More complete engine management is being acheived & coupled with
> modern day electronics wait & see what's coming up in the next few years.The
> internal combustion engine has come a long way. All that said , I hope you can
> see why I'm not here to change your mind or your ways. Our GTS's have a pretty
> sophisticated engine management system & using Regular fuel with what's a high
> compression engine is possible & is also stated in the owners manual. Now as
> far engine wear is concerned that's for another day. Maybe. Have a great day.
> Peter Piazza ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Weaver"
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July
> 10, 2001 2:04 PM Subject: Re: engine rebuild update
>
>
>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2001, mototune wrote: There are volumes written on this. Sorry
>> Mike but, I'm not geting into this one. Let's just say some like Regular &
>> some like Premium. Thanks. Peter Piazza
>>
>> My apologies. I didn't post in an confrontational mode, I had geniune
>> curiosity. I will research more off line.
>>
>> Take care, Mike
>>
>> -- Michael Weaver (706)542-6462 [EMAIL PROTECTED] UCNS Network
>> Specialist LAN Support Group University of Georgia, Athens Ga.
>> )O( Public PGP key: http://www.arches.uga.edu/~weaver/pgp.html
>>
>>
