Posted on 06/14/2022 6:37:12 PM PDT by blam
In a time of rising gasoline demand and refinery bottlenecks, the US could use more octane as the spread between premium gas (octane level of 93) and regular gas (octane level of 87) has blown out.
Premium fuels eliminate engine knock in high-performance vehicles that have high compression engines. For most vehicles, using regular gas is advised and cheaper. Wholesale premium fuel sells for 62.50 cents more per gallon, a record high.
Bloomberg explains the blowout of the spread is due to “low supplies of octane,” which may exacerbate gasoline supply tightness this summer for premium fuel, adding it could send regular and mid-grade gas higher, contributing to further price increases.
“Expensive octane and shortages in conversion-unit capacity are plaguing global gasoline supply. Although gasoline cracks are moderating as refiners return from turnarounds in June, thin stocks this summer mean there is little buffer ahead,” according to a report from Energy Aspects.
So there’s a situation where gasoline demand continues to increase in peak driving season as refiners are constrained by octane availability, which has made supplies for premium fuels less abundant, driving up gas bills for luxury car owners. Those thinking of trading down for mid-grade or regular in a luxury car to save 60 cents a gallon might want to rethink the move. Extended use of regular gas could result in engine problems down the road.
How many engines will 15% ethanol destroy?
My 25 year old Bayliner Jazz jet boat with a 175 HP Mercury SportJet engine, for one.
Surprisingly, in corn central Iowa, alcohol free gasoline is readily available at CASEY’S.
I built my 641 hp SBC to run on 89 pump gas and these pricks still find another excuse to shove it further up my backside......
A very large percentage of recent cars are using turbo charged engines most are 4 cylinders. These have to use premium. They are not luxury or performance cars.
Most new direct injected turbocharged engines do not require premium fuel. They'd never sell another Ford Escape or Honda Accord if they required premium. People won't buy an economy vehicle if they're going to have to put expensive fuel in it.
“Surprisingly, in corn central Iowa, alcohol free gasoline is readily available “
And our rulers take saline shots.
This prompted me to go look for a case of Pep Boys ( Manny, Mo, and Jack) Octane Additive. This was left to me by my late fathef some twenty years ago. If you add one can of this stuff to a tank (no specific amount) of gas it’s supposed to boost the octane up to aviation levels. The label says it also contains lead for lubrication purposes. My Dad was famous for making bargain purchases and letting them sit on shelves for years. You wouldn’t believe the things I found when I had to go through his estate.
My S60 T6 loves E85 it’s a buck twenty cheaper per gal than 93 E10 and my boost controller adds 5psi more boost due to the very high octane of E85. You can go to crazy levels of boost with E85 it’s better than 114 race gas at well over $10 a gal.
Motortrend went hog wild with it. Modern cars especially European / Swedish cars can run on E85 they were designed too. Not some old boomer generation clunkers.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/e85-vs-114-octane-race-gas-on-the-dyno-with-a-boosted-small-block/
You would be surprised how many of these require premium. Pretty much any 2.0 liter turbo motor. They may not say it but if you don’t you will be sorry
My old CASE tractor requires 93 octane. All I can find is high dollar 91.
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