The auto industry is finally getting traction on its quest to make 95 RON octane gasoline -- basically the same grade as Europe’s regular and the lowest grade of premium here -- the new regular in the United States.
In testimony Friday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's environment subcommittee, Dan Nicholson, General Motors' vice president of global propulsion systems, said making 95 octane the new regular aligns the U.S. with Europe and is one of the most affordable ways to boost fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
105 here. My truck had a trip meter of 13.8 with around 400 miles. I put E85 and went to Kansas this month. Took me all the way down to 10.7. It was not cost effective for the lost economy. I haven't reset, but the trip back (another 300 miles) and I still haven't recovered the MPG on the tripometer. Actual MPG for that tank had to be in the 8 or 9 range. Next time I've got an unloaded trip I'm going to buy it again and see exactly where it leaves me. I was white knuckle driving pulling into Lansas City from OKC with a 36 gallon tank. Computer said I had 6 miles left and I couldn't find a station.
Higher octane enables engineers to raise an engine's compression ratio. That, in turn, increases horsepower and torque and helps the engine run more efficiently. Raising an engine's compression may be the most cost-effective -- and untapped -- way to improve fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing compression usually requires a modification to the pistons or the cylinder head's combustion chambers.
If you take the report at face value, the people that are promoting this idea are looking to the kinds of gasoline-powered engines that could be used in cars, trucks and SUVs that are at least several model years in the future--not in the vehicles that are on the road today or that will be built during just the next few years ahead.
They are leaning towards the idea of phasing in gasoline-powered engines with higher compression ratios than are commonly seen today, in the U.S. and Canada.
That's my take.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 04-19-2018).]
105 here. My truck had a trip meter of 13.8 with around 400 miles. I put E85 and went to Kansas this month. Took me all the way down to 10.7. It was not cost effective for the lost economy. I haven't reset, but the trip back (another 300 miles) and I still haven't recovered the MPG on the tripometer. Actual MPG for that tank had to be in the 8 or 9 range. Next time I've got an unloaded trip I'm going to buy it again and see exactly where it leaves me. I was white knuckle driving pulling into Lansas City from OKC with a 36 gallon tank. Computer said I had 6 miles left and I couldn't find a station.
That is do to the Stoichiometric ratio. It takes about 1.5 times more e85 then gas for the same reaction
That is do to the Stoichiometric ratio. It takes about 1.5 times more e85 then gas for the same reaction
Sorry, my brain isn't working, does that mean at 10MPG I need 33% fuel savings or am I out of touch with math these days. This is a legit question, as I'm not feeling well.
Sorry, my brain isn't working, does that mean at 10MPG I need 33% fuel savings or am I out of touch with math these days. This is a legit question, as I'm not feeling well.
At any consumption rate, you would need to save 33% to get the same value with an increase in the number of fill ups, just based on the chemistry. There is more to it, but the chemistry part is the majority factor.
And that is compared to 100% gasoline, not the 10-15% ethanol that is the regular now.
At any consumption rate, you would need to save 33% to get the same value with an increase in the number of fill ups, just based on the chemistry. There is more to it, but the chemistry part is the majority factor.
And that is compared to 100% gasoline, not the 10-15% ethanol that is the regular now.
Originally posted by 2.5: Ya, whats the ethanol content of this "95 octane".
quote
Some of the cost savings from switching to 95 octane gasoline presumably would come from refiners gaining efficiencies from producing high volumes of one fuel for the U.S. Nicholson told me that it doesn't matter how the petroleum industry raises octane. Octane can be increased in several ways, such as by using more ethanol or by reducing heptane.
David Filipe, vice president of Ford's powertrain engineering, appearing on the panel with Nicholson, said 95 octane fuel must be affordable. "That's been something that has been important to us. How do we do this without having a big impact on the customer?," Filipe said. "We don't want to put the burden onto the customer." Filipe said the cost must not add more than 5 cents per gallon.
Auto and other industries are playing a Numbers Game calling for 95 RON making people think will majorly increase Octane in gas you get... Far Worse, Many Trade Rags are claiming 95 RON is Equal to 95 Octane at US pumps. This is Not True and they should know better but just pushing complete crap stories.
What They really want to Change the Octane Number Label from (RON+MON)/2 to RON only and eliminate old "87 regular."
My cave, Fuel & Knock, skims over US vs EU Octane Ratings for many years but Many have no clue so what the "codes" mean so: MON is Motor Octane Number and always a Low number. RON is Research Octane Number and always a Higher number. Often ~10 points higher then MON. Octane Number Labels at All US pumps are the average of both as AKI (Anti-Knock Index) and labeled such... That (RON+MON)/2 on label on the pump sticker... Octane Number at EU Japan and others Pumps only have the RON and looks Higher Grade then US gas But Is Not Very True.
Some example of current numbers see http://boostsource.com/?p=238 As seen there, Regular (87) is 91 RON and Premium (93) is 97 RON... So 95 RON isn't even Premium or "Super Premium" as some idiots in the Press claim but a Mid Grade at best. Note: E10 numbers may be different at the pump in different areas because how regional fuel requirement mix to meet EPA and state rules for Reformulated Gas etc. Is why most pumps are labeeds w/ "up to 10% Ethanol" because often have Less depending winter/summer gas in a giving area. More just Google et al: us vs eu octane
The game is likely to "Harmonize" (A Term to US and other Customs to Import/Export everything.) the EU and US Octane ratings to use same standards so Less Testing, Engine Tuning and Publishing Documents like Owners Manual for Regional Sales saving Car Companies Many Millions of $ € ¥ each year. MON testing is very expensive and needed standard test engines like This example so Eliminating MON testing would likely save Oil Refiners Many Millions of $ too.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
