Energy density is an entirely different topic than octane. If we're talking economy, then yes - gasoline is preferable. If we're talking power, E85 is up there (or better than) race gas.
Basically this... You CAN get away with a lower octane if you go to a higher altitude, colder temperatures and higher humidity. Also relying on knock sensors isn't always good because some cars like some Hondas had notoriously unreliable knock sensors that wouldn't detect some knock.EFI engines have had knock sensors since the mid-1980s. Perhaps not universally, but they've definitely been around at least that long. Engines with knock sensors detect knock (which is detonation, an entirely different thing than preignition, and definitely different from "predetonation" which is a nonexistent nonsense term that apparently conflates detonation and preignition) and adjust for it long before it's detectable by humans. Most engines simply adjust by pulling back timing when knock is detected - there's no need to read the octane of the fuel itself.
That said, if the engine says "premium required" that means the programming cannot pull back the timing enough to compensate for lower octane fuel in all situations and running anything less may cause detonation severe enough to cause damage under high-load situations.
ZV
EFI engines have had knock sensors since the mid-1980s. Perhaps not universally, but they've definitely been around at least that long. Engines with knock sensors detect knock (which is detonation, an entirely different thing than preignition, and definitely different from "predetonation" which is a nonexistent nonsense term that apparently conflates detonation and preignition) and adjust for it long before it's detectable by humans. Most engines simply adjust by pulling back timing when knock is detected - there's no need to read the octane of the fuel itself.
That said, if the engine says "premium required" that means the programming cannot pull back the timing enough to compensate for lower octane fuel in all situations and running anything less may cause detonation severe enough to cause damage under high-load situations.
ZV
Some cars have had knock sensors since the 1980s - most however, most have not. You can Google this stuff, you know. For your other points - you can argue semantics with yourself to your heart's content - it really doesn't affect me.
Well, ALL OBD-II cars must have knock sensors, that much is certain!
Basically this... You CAN get away with a lower octane if you go to a higher altitude, colder temperatures and higher humidity. Also relying on knock sensors isn't always good because some cars like some Hondas had notoriously unreliable knock sensors that wouldn't detect some knock.
Some cars have had knock sensors since the 1980s - most however, most have not. You can Google this stuff, you know.
Both my vehicles are supercharged, so premium it is. Sadly, here in Kalifornia, "premium" is still only 91 octane. Apparently, we just can't have nice things.
My wife's vehicle is supercharged.. doesn't require premium..
Plenty of power with standard 87 octane with zero alcohol.
Ethanol is wholly irrelevant for power when we are talking about E10/87 or E0/87.
My wife's vehicle is supercharged.. doesn't require premium..
Plenty of power with standard 87 octane with zero alcohol.
Problem is finding fuel with zero alcohol/ethanol.
It can be done is most places, but it may take a drive to get to the station
Problem is finding fuel with zero alcohol/ethanol.
It can be done is most places, but it may take a drive to get to the station
/facepalm
Why facepalm? It is in fact very difficult to find ethanol-free gas in most places. For example there is only 1 place in my area which is listed on pure-gas.org and they apparently charge $5/gallon from the comments...
Why facepalm? It is in fact very difficult to find ethanol-free gas in most places. For example there is only 1 place in my area which is listed on pure-gas.org and they apparently charge $5/gallon from the comments...
Problem is finding fuel with zero alcohol/ethanol.
It can be done is most places, but it may take a drive to get to the station
Dyno it. Butt dyno doesn't count.I can tell a huge difference with 87 and 10%..
Dyno it. Butt dyno doesn't count.
I had an 01 stratus R/T coupe. I saw 15% better fuel mileage on premium vs 87. it felt better as well, but the mileage was more than enough reason to pay the premium for 93
Dyno it. Butt dyno doesn't count.
Well, around here at least, it's not uncommon for the regular and midgrade to be E-10 and the premium to have no ethanol.Mileage is a tricky thing to measure unless you specifically don't know what is in the tank. Mileage is so strongly tied to driving that even thinking about mileage gives you a marked improvement in mileage.