nola mike wrote:
> even if the engine specifies 93, it won't gain hp/mpg
> UNLESS pinging actually occurs when using 87.
Exactly, and this has been my point all along. As stated in my first post, I believe there would be less confusion in regards to octane ratings if it wasn't represented numerically along with some superlatives:
"The term "Premium" is extremely misleading when it comes to gasoline. People assume that when they buy "Premium" they are buying the best there is to offer. This couldn't be further from the truth. 87 octane has more potential horsepower than 93 (or higher) octane. Octane is a rating. It is a calculation that predicts when pre-ignition will occur in any given engine. The lower the octane number the more volatile the gasoline -- by comparison, the higher the octane number the less volatile (combustible) the gasoline. Then why do racers use higher octane? Simple, the higher compression and more ignition advance an engine has, the more likely pre-ignition will occur -- hence, they need high octane fuel to prevent this from happening. If you want your engine to run the best possible, then run the LOWEST octane that you can without pre-ignition (pinging). If different terminology was used to distinguish grades of gasoline, people would think more accurately about it -- for example, instead of calling it "Regular" call it "Highest Volatility" and instead of "Premium" call it "Least Volatile"
-- peer
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