"Cost" of Octane... ???

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

Diesel was always higher because the number of refineries is much less than that of gasoline.

That is not reflected in my michigan/ohio area. I do not know of one refinery that doesn't do all of them. Certainly I know a few that don't do things like jet/kero or many that don't do propane or butane.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

That is not reflected in my michigan/ohio area. I do not know of one refinery that doesn't do all of them. Certainly I know a few that don't do things like jet/kero or many that don't do propane or butane.

I always thought that a cracking tower was a cracking tower and they always split it the same way.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Avatard

I personally find it hilarious, and so indicative of people's ability to believe hype that so many people put higher octane fuel in their car than it actually requires, thinking they are doing some "good" by using "more expensive" gas, when in fact lower octane gas actually offers more power and BTUs...unless your car has the cylinder pressure or spark advance requirements to actually make use of premium.

...And yeah, what's up with diesel?

Used to be less than gasoline.

Higher octane has more energy content, but lower octane is easier to ignite and burns a tad faster.

When gas prices are low, using higher octane doesn't make any sense.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by JoshuaTree

Has anyone else noticed that the price difference between "regular" (87 Octane) and "premium" (93 Octane) has been steadily growing? Before the oil price shock, the delta was about $0.20-0.22/gal. Now its up to $0.34/gal and seems to be rising. As most of the current 'non-econobox' cars (and trucks?) take premium, I think something smells, and its not Limburger cheese...

Definitely noticed.

It used to be about $.10/gallon delta for each grade. Like you said, I've seen it in the $.30's now.

My truck calls for 89. I used it religiously when new.

During the race season when gas was $4/ gallon and I was getting about 7mpg while towing, I down graded to 87.

Seeing no noticeable difference, I never switched back.