Another fuel question (perhaps a dumb one...)
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 5
From: NC
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 895
Likes: 56
From: IL
Premium versus Regular
I agree the additional cost isn't that much. Especialy now in the Midwest when gas was $2.00 per gallon we were paying $2.20 for premium or 10% more. Now that gas is near $3.00 we still have the same $.20 difference so now it is only 6.5% more for premium.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: ontario
WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE RECOMMENDED OCTANE:
gas molecules are hydrocarbon chains, and the lower the octane the lower the average length of the hydrocarbons is going to be. Short hydrocarbons are broken or 'burned' easier than langer ones found in higher octanes. Putting super in a lower compression engine that does not require it will lead to accelerated carbon build up as the engine will not burn the average longer (stronger) hydrocarbons as effectively.
The reason why you can, however, put regular in a car that needs super is that the compression will effectively burn the average shorter chain hydrocarbons. Timing via the knock sensor is adjusted as injection of a more easily combustable fuel at the same timing would cause early detonation (pinging).
Lastly, the on average shorter hydrocarbon chains contain less energy, and as such you will experience lower economy (more fuel must be burned to get the same energy output)
So if you put super in a car that needs regular you are actually wasting money and carboning up your engine. If you drive a lexus you can put whatever fuel you want, however if it is anything less than super there will be poorer fuel economy and lower power.
Check the stats of the camry V6, venza V6 and rx v6. All run a compression ratio of 10.8 to 1. The extra hp for the lexus comes down to timing/tuning and higher octane fuel
gas molecules are hydrocarbon chains, and the lower the octane the lower the average length of the hydrocarbons is going to be. Short hydrocarbons are broken or 'burned' easier than langer ones found in higher octanes. Putting super in a lower compression engine that does not require it will lead to accelerated carbon build up as the engine will not burn the average longer (stronger) hydrocarbons as effectively.
The reason why you can, however, put regular in a car that needs super is that the compression will effectively burn the average shorter chain hydrocarbons. Timing via the knock sensor is adjusted as injection of a more easily combustable fuel at the same timing would cause early detonation (pinging).
Lastly, the on average shorter hydrocarbon chains contain less energy, and as such you will experience lower economy (more fuel must be burned to get the same energy output)
So if you put super in a car that needs regular you are actually wasting money and carboning up your engine. If you drive a lexus you can put whatever fuel you want, however if it is anything less than super there will be poorer fuel economy and lower power.
Check the stats of the camry V6, venza V6 and rx v6. All run a compression ratio of 10.8 to 1. The extra hp for the lexus comes down to timing/tuning and higher octane fuel
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 8
From: VA
WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE RECOMMENDED OCTANE:
gas molecules are hydrocarbon chains, and the lower the octane the lower the average length of the hydrocarbons is going to be. Short hydrocarbons are broken or 'burned' easier than langer ones found in higher octanes. Putting super in a lower compression engine that does not require it will lead to accelerated carbon build up as the engine will not burn the average longer (stronger) hydrocarbons as effectively.
The reason why you can, however, put regular in a car that needs super is that the compression will effectively burn the average shorter chain hydrocarbons. Timing via the knock sensor is adjusted as injection of a more easily combustable fuel at the same timing would cause early detonation (pinging).
Lastly, the on average shorter hydrocarbon chains contain less energy, and as such you will experience lower economy (more fuel must be burned to get the same energy output)
So if you put super in a car that needs regular you are actually wasting money and carboning up your engine. If you drive a lexus you can put whatever fuel you want, however if it is anything less than super there will be poorer fuel economy and lower power.
Check the stats of the camry V6, venza V6 and rx v6. All run a compression ratio of 10.8 to 1. The extra hp for the lexus comes down to timing/tuning and higher octane fuel
gas molecules are hydrocarbon chains, and the lower the octane the lower the average length of the hydrocarbons is going to be. Short hydrocarbons are broken or 'burned' easier than langer ones found in higher octanes. Putting super in a lower compression engine that does not require it will lead to accelerated carbon build up as the engine will not burn the average longer (stronger) hydrocarbons as effectively.
The reason why you can, however, put regular in a car that needs super is that the compression will effectively burn the average shorter chain hydrocarbons. Timing via the knock sensor is adjusted as injection of a more easily combustable fuel at the same timing would cause early detonation (pinging).
Lastly, the on average shorter hydrocarbon chains contain less energy, and as such you will experience lower economy (more fuel must be burned to get the same energy output)
So if you put super in a car that needs regular you are actually wasting money and carboning up your engine. If you drive a lexus you can put whatever fuel you want, however if it is anything less than super there will be poorer fuel economy and lower power.
Check the stats of the camry V6, venza V6 and rx v6. All run a compression ratio of 10.8 to 1. The extra hp for the lexus comes down to timing/tuning and higher octane fuel
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 5
From: NC
Charles, you are right, that is the bottom line. A fellow I know who has been a mechanic for Mercedes, BMW, and some domestic dealership I can't remember, is now a Lexus mechanic. He told me Lexus owner's are the worst when it comes to not wanting to part with money to properly maintain their cars, and RX owners seem to be the worst of the Lexus pack. He has oil change stories that are just crazy.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: CANADA
Too costly for them because of the transportation costs. Oil companies piggy back on each others tanker fleets and use each others distribution centers to keep the cost down and profits up. for example Shell would supply all stations in a geographic area no matter what the signs on top of the stations say (Exxon, Chevron etc) and vice versa. they were the only one with 94 octane so they had to bare the whole transportation cost themselves. Which proved too costly!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 5
From: NC
Too costly for them because of the transportation costs. Oil companies piggy back on each others tanker fleets and use each others distribution centers to keep the cost down and profits up. for example Shell would supply all stations in a geographic area no matter what the signs on top of the stations say (Exxon, Chevron etc) and vice versa. they were the only one with 94 octane so they had to bare the whole transportation cost themselves. Which proved too costly!
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 2
From: ny