High Octane

[Fastlane]

In my search for gas before our third hurricane comes to visit, I came upon a

In my search for fuel before the visit of our third hurricane, I came upon a Sunoco station that was sold out of normal fuel. They did have 100 octane AV gas and 112 octane race gas (leaded). I had 3/4 of a tank so I topped it off with the AV gas....It definitely made the Q more responsive. Is this fuel ok for the engine? How about the race gas?

Most gas stations are devoid of fuel.....people are pretty frantic.

[elwesso]

Anything thats above 91 and isnt leaded shouldnt hurt the Q, but will hurt the wallet

[kimrober]

This is from Federal Trade Commission site ( http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline...e.htm )-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline

Are you tempted to buy a high octane gasoline for your car because you want to improve its performance? If so, take note: the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner's manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won't make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner. Your best bet: listen to your owner's manual.

The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars.

Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

What are octane ratings?Octane ratings measure a gasoline's ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump.

What's the right octane level for your car?Check your owner's manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.

How can you tell if you're using the right octane level? Listen to your car's engine. If it doesn't knock when you use the recommended octane, you're using the right grade of gasoline.

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better?As a rule, high octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car's engine. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.

Should you ever switch to a higher octane gasoline?A few car engines may knock or ping - even if you use the recommended octane. If this happens, try switching to the next highest octane grade. In many cases, switching to the mid-grade or premium-grade gasoline will eliminate the knock. If the knocking or pinging continues after one or two fill-ups, you may need a tune-up or some other repair. After that work is done, go back to the lowest octane grade at which your engine runs without knocking.

Is knocking harmful?Occasional light knocking or pinging won't harm your engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane. But don't ignore severe knocking. A heavy or persistent knock can lead to engine damage.

Is all "premium" or "regular" gasoline the same?The octane rating of gasoline marked "premium" or "regular" is not consistent across the country. One state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for all premium gasoline, while another may allow 90 octane to be called premium. To make sure you know what you're buying, check the octane rating on the yellow sticker on the gas pump instead of relying on the name "premium" or "regular."

For More InformationIf you're concerned about the accuracy of an octane label - or if you don't see a yellow octane sticker on a gasoline pump, write: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit http://www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

[180crafter]

Email sent and just wondering where the gas station is.

[Fastlane]

For those of you in the Miami/Ft.Lauderdale area......The Sunoco station is located about midway on Highway 27 (Okechobee Rd). If you are heading north, it's on the right.Looks like a good place to fuel up before going to Moroso.

AV 100 octane was $ 2.95 per gallon.

[PoorManQ45]

Isn't the recommended fuel grade for the Q "Premium"? Does that mean if premium at a gas station is basically Race Gas, should I use it? I think not.

Personally, I wil use any grade gas if I have to. If I I have enough, I'll buy the recommended grade. If i'm low on funds, I will buy the cheapest unleaded stuff that they have. For those special financially challenged days, I have a few bottles of octane booster in the trunk. Sometimes, if I'm too broke to buy octane booster, I will buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol. That stuff works great too.

Anyway. Why would the highest grade at that gas station have been "leaded"?

[elwesso]

Anyway. Why would the highest grade at that gas station have been "leaded"?

Becuase its racing gas... Its always at a seperate pump off to the side, and in our town its really close to the local racetrack.....

[PoorManQ45]

Becuase its racing gas... Its always at a seperate pump off to the side, and in our town its really close to the local racetrack.....

Why would race gas have lead in it though? I mean that doesn't make sense.

Leaded gas causes engines to fail prematurely. Right?

[DAEDALUS]

Lead destroys catalytic converters, which race cars don't need. The lead in leaded gas actually acts as a lubriant and is not otherwise harmful to the engine.

[PoorManQ45]

Lead destroys catalytic converters, which race cars don't need.

Does that mean that I can use race gas in my Q? With no side effects.

[squeefoo]

Race gas will instantly coat your OX sensors and turn them into junk, and it burns slower, acts as a rpm limiter in 2 stokes. AVgas has different evaporative properties than street gas and is missing additives that the Q motor needs. Do a search -it's been discussed before.

[PoorManQ45]

How do race cars run on race gas than? If it quickly destroys the O2 sensors?

What sort of additives does gas have that the Q needs?

[IvoryJ30t]

because race cars do not cruise around the track at part throttle, thereby eliminating the need for O2 sensors.

the lead acts as an upper cylinder lubricant and protects the valve seats. its just horrible for the environment when ALL cars are burning leaded gas.

it has positive effects on the motor, but is certain death for O2 sensors and cats.

[squeefoo]

because race cars do not cruise around the track at part throttle, thereby eliminating the need for O2 sensors.

Most race cars have a carb which is tuned for WOT and run 11 - 15:1 CR. At least those not on the F1 or CART which may have OX sensors they burn alcohol anyway. There is a very nice unleaded race gas for flat top motors from Sunoco (I think). But don't bother with that either the price is astronomical w/no benefit.

IIRC avgas has a very high evap. point and is missing additives -which ones specifically I don't recall. I do remember it was hashed over here awhile ago and the consensus was bad. I can't find the thread via search.