Rocky Mountain octane
08-01-2013, 12:17 PM
#1
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Rocky Mountain octane
This Florida boy recently got to drive the thoroughly enjoyable High Plains Raceway outside of Denver. Terrific track with some memorable turns.
I noticed that all the local gas stations had 92 octane fuel max (not 93 octane, like we have on the East Coast). Locals told me the extra octane isn't needed because of the altitude and thinner air. Makes sense, I suppose. But I'd never heard anything like that before.
Interesting that the lower octanes (87 and 89) were the same,
I noticed that all the local gas stations had 92 octane fuel max (not 93 octane, like we have on the East Coast). Locals told me the extra octane isn't needed because of the altitude and thinner air. Makes sense, I suppose. But I'd never heard anything like that before.
Interesting that the lower octanes (87 and 89) were the same,
08-01-2013, 04:52 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
It is based on the oxygen in the air. Until we went E-10, it was actually 85 and 87 and 91. It's only in the last couple of years that we started seeing the "usual" octane ratings that you see elsewhere.
08-01-2013, 05:36 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
This Florida boy recently got to drive the thoroughly enjoyable High Plains Raceway outside of Denver. Terrific track with some memorable turns.
I noticed that all the local gas stations had 92 octane fuel max (not 93 octane, like we have on the East Coast). Locals told me the extra octane isn't needed because of the altitude and thinner air. Makes sense, I suppose. But I'd never heard anything like that before.
Interesting that the lower octanes (87 and 89) were the same,
I noticed that all the local gas stations had 92 octane fuel max (not 93 octane, like we have on the East Coast). Locals told me the extra octane isn't needed because of the altitude and thinner air. Makes sense, I suppose. But I'd never heard anything like that before.
Interesting that the lower octanes (87 and 89) were the same,
Peter
08-02-2013, 02:40 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
In order to reduce NOx and HC tailpipe emissions, the amount of sulfur in the gasoline was reduced. One casualty of this deeper level of refining is lowered octane and California's gasoline pool is octane limited. The rest of the US will see a similar impact as Tier III gasoline, with a lowered sulfur level, is coming to a station near you.
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08-02-2013, 02:47 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
When compressed, the air in the cylinder is heated. The lower the initial pressure, the lower the temperature at full compression. Also, octane is a measure of the resistance of the gasoline to auto ignite. Since the compressed air up in the mountains is at a lower temp than at sea level, a lower octane gasoline is sufficient to prevent autoignition. Our friends in turbos with waste gates are the big losers...
