93 octane gas

[V10 MOJO]

Why is there no 93 in california? doesnt higher octane burn better and is therefore better gas? is 91 as good for daily driving or should i use an additive?

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

California has "cutting edge" gasoline requirements to help control emissions, making production of gasoline more expensive. Hence, to control costs, oil companies will decide to manufacture a 91 octane instead of a 93. Annual surveys of what the US fleet requires always have shown that a huge, huge percentage of the driving public is satisfied with 87 (and even an 85 octane) so producing an 89 and a premium is more of a market driven choice.

A higher octane will most likely burn "worse" since it is made with poorer/slower burning hydrocarbons, perhaps an ether like MTBE, and soon (since MTBE has been banned) ethanol or some other octane.

You are best off with the lowest octane that avoids knock. And if 91 isn't enough, then a quick look for a vacuum leak or something else might be in order.

 

[Makara]

I heard that in the next few months, CA will have 93 again! It has something to do with what ever they are putting in the 91 octane is a big health risk (bigger than normal gas) so we are going back.

 

[safireviper]

Actually, the 91 octane in California had to do with the Union 76 formula that they hold a patent on for cleaner air. ( It was 92 octane )However, they were trying to charge the other oil companies a charge for using that formula. To get around that, the other companies worked a deal with the pipeline operator to only carry 91 octane, hence getting around Union's surcharge. Making the 92 octane no longer viable as they cannot mix octanes running in a pipeline.

I have read where the new ethanol fuels may boost octane once here again in California. It won't be 92 because of the 76 formula so it will remain 91 or hopefully kick up to 93. For some lucky folks in California, they have 100 octane unleaded that runs for $ 4.25 a gallon at a couple dozen outlets around the state for the Viper owner that wants a couple gallons mixed in with the 91 octane..

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

I thought that higher octane burned cleaner as it is a good thing to have in the tank for an emissions test. not like it matters to me anyways I run 93 or 94 octane all the time. None of that cheap 87 crap for me.

 

[SoCal Craig]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by safireviper:
For some lucky folks in California, they have 100 octane unleaded that runs for $ 4.25 a gallon at a couple dozen outlets around the state for the Viper owner that wants a couple gallons mixed in with the 91 octane..

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I tried the 100 octane stuff at a Union station in Newport Coast once... did not notice any improvement. 91 octane seems to be fine.