Note
92- $4.12 /gallon
87- $4.09/gallon
84- $3.50/gallon

However, after filling three test gas bottles with different octanes of gasoline – 92, 89 and 84 – and after testing each

He doesnt even have the his numbers straight. Or his grammar for that matter.

I forgot to add the fact that my car requires 91 test and above. In the past when the attendant has messed up, and they do, and given me even 89 my check engine light comes on. I have yet to actually get a high test fuel and have my ce light come one. If it’s a problem I’d have to guess it’s a very isolated one.

I know the grammar wasn’t the best. I’m going to give G the benefit of the doubt and just conclude that he/she was writing fast. I wonder, however, if the point remains the same, even if inelegantly put. The fuel companies seem to have no problem charging for their product on a Marxist paradigm: from each according to his ability. Would they have ethical issues making “mistakes” about stuff we can’t really ascertain on the spot? Like octane?

Another related “is it truth or urban myth” question:

I’ve heard that the cost of the additives they put into gasoline to raise the octane to premium levels actually cost less than the gasoline they’re adding to meaning that from a cost standpoint, higher octane gasolines should cost less per gallon than regular octane. Truth or myth??

Before we jump to conclusions there is a lot of information missing here.

For instance, how larger were the test bottles? Most states use 3-4 gallons for testing. This allows the fuel to cycle through the pump when the pump uses a single hose to deliver all grades.

Further more was the sample sealed and vacuumed? What was the temperature? Was the gas E10? I would suggest G look on the pump for a certification sticker and call who ever is responsible for the certification. Here is Georgia it is the Department of Agriculture who performs the testing and certifications. If the gas is wrong they shut down the station in a heartbeat.

I think we need more information.

A better item to jump on is the ethanol farce we are all a victim of. The ethanol blend I am forced to buy gets me 15% – 20% less mileage. And it has no shelf life even when sealed.

“Ethical” issues? “Ethical”?? Perhaps you were searching for another word and mischanced upon this one?

A Land Rover mechanic (a good profession to be in due to the notoriety of British engineering)once told me that gas companies have found that their fuel truck delivery guys often put the wrong fuel in the wrong hole. Now I can’t scientifically confirm this to be true, but though that I would pass along this tidbit.

A gas company having an ethical issue???

You mean like the one where the CEOs of the major ones testifying before congress that the reason gas prices are so high is because “It’s Congress’s fault.”???

Is that an ethically correct statement? Um, NO. I believe we can assume the same response to your question, Bingo.

Bing, you’ve been sold a load of bull.

There’s no “octane tester” out there that one can simply buy at the local True Value or Zany Brainy.

The measurement of octane ratings has been evolving for nearly a century, and it’s highly unlikely that the person who wrote to you claiming to have tested octane actually did so, given the appearance of his post. Which test method did he use? Research Octane Method? Motor Octane Method? U.S. pumps indicate “pump octane” (or “AKI”, for “anti-knock index), which is the average of RON and MON. You’ve probably seen “(R+M)/2″ on gas pumps and said to yourself “self, wtf is (R+M)/2?” and now you know.

Octane testing is conducted using a test engine under very carefully controlled conditions, including the ability to vary compression (and variable ignition timing, pre-heated fuel, and other scientist stuff for MON testing). Air-fuel mixture must be controlled, etc. One can’t simply put some gasoline in a widget and shake it and see if it turns blue. I seriously doubt anyone who knew what they were doing would refer to all this as “obtaining an octane tester.”

This is seriously boring stuff, but it would be moot if we all rode donkeys to work.

If one reads on the gas pump, they should be able to read caveats about fuel grade specifications etc. as required by the state in which they operate.

One warning I read was: “If you leave without paying we’ll get you, and you’ll lose your driving peiviliges and be subject to all other applicable penalties!”. A picture of a Michigan Highway Patrol officer was posted by the caveat.

State inspectors are also supposed to be on the job checking fuel grades and capacities. Fuel stations are supposed to be operating according state mandated regulations; penalties exist for violators of the state mandated standards.

If perpetraters know the limits of the radar screen, they may risk it; the sniper who nails them could be an anonymous anybody.

Gas costs money.

If people would spend more time trying to get more money instead of complaining about gas prices, we would not have an issue here. But Americans are increasingly lazy and cynical. It doesn’t take much these days to get people to become angry. But it takes nothing short of a miracle to get people to actually do something to change their habits or make improvements.

I congratulate the oil companies for making record profits. Americans are not going to stop complaining. But they are not going to start driving fuel efficient vehicles or drive less. People are going to keep complaining and then refuse to change. This is why I have little sympathy for people and their “troubles”.

LeeeeeeRoy! You rocked it!

The only time I buy the higher octane is when I use it on small engines, ie: lawnmower etc. It does make a difference on small engines like that.
The rest of the time, the regular stuff will do. If you buy a car that requires high octane to run then live with it.
You get what you pay for (sometimes)

As ever, the intrepid Yadgyu has “little sympathy for people and their ‘troubles.’” Sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out whether you’re kidding or not, Y-man, but your comments are always a breath of fresh liquid nitrogen.

Since I always buy the regular stuff, I guess I’m getting a deal (at $3.60 per gallon)! Boy am I glad I don’t drive much!

Yadgyu, as he often does, has a point in his ramblings. We complain that our lifestyles suddenly cost more, but often take little action to adjust those lifestyles or increase our incomes. I even saw an article on your affiliate pages where Disney claimed that the family vacation was “sacred.” Give me a break.

I saw a headline this morning claiming that gasoline consumption is down 7% from a year ago, so apparently Y’s supposition that people will not change their consumption habits is in error.

Personally, I bought a hybrid SUV (Escape) about a year ago and have modified my driving habits from driving 70 mph to get to work which renders the electric motor useless to cutting a few miles off my trip and driving thru adjoining neighborhoods in the mornings. Adds maybe 3 minutes to my trip, but cuts 3 miles and lets my electric motor do about half the work.

Rising prices do, in fact, effect behavior. That’s why Al Gore (Bless his ignorant little heart) was calling for $5/gallon gas in 2000.

As ever, the intrepid Yadgyu has “little sympathy for people and their ‘troubles.’” Sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out whether you’re kidding or not, Y-man, but your comments are always a breath of fresh liquid nitrogen.

Posted By Bing

Yes Bing if I was held hostage by terrorist and Yadgyu showed up as the negoiator, To dave time, I would probaly ask the terroists to put a couple of bullets in my head before he started talking to them.

Cause he is direct and to the point and most people can’t handle the truth.

My apologies for my spelling on recent posts, it seems some of my fingers are longer than others,
I’m off to health care to have it checked out.

“But it takes nothing short of a miracle to get people to actually do something to change their habits or make improvements.”

Well, speak for yourself, Y. While there is certainly more that I can do, I have changed many of my own habits and made some improvements. Here’s a perfect example: in order to assist with the shortage of gas, I now pull my own finger instead of asking my young son to do so.

Here’s a perfect example: in order to assist with the shortage of gas, I now pull my own finger instead of asking my young son to do so.

Posted By Ivan, Washington, DC

Funny you should mention that, I had a bad hamburger the other day that gave me so much gas, an oil company helicopter followed me home
I am negoiating the drilling rights
as we speak/write.

As ever, the intrepid Yadgyu has “little sympathy for people and their ‘troubles.’” Sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out whether you’re kidding or not, Y-man, but your comments are always a breath of fresh liquid nitrogen.
———————-

I do not see the problem with my comments.

The masses are always complaining about something. Does that mean that companies should heed to the masses and try to please them? Maybe.

Should companies please people at the expense of profits? No way.

Does it make sense to listen to complaints when the money keeps rolling in? Not at all.

Should companies try to do things to inform the public about the aspects of business? Only if it helps to bring in more cash.

The masses do not want to sacrifice. It only makes sense for them to be taken advantage of. The people who get sick of being used start putting in work to improve their situation. These people become a part of the few who actually get ahead in life. Everyone just keeps complaining.