Is There a Difference in Gasoline Grades?
By BEN SIMMONS, Staff WriterAs the price of gasoline hovers above $4 per gallon across the nation, many Americans are asking how to maximize their fuel efficiency. Some folks believe using a higher octane gasoline can deliver more mileage for the dollar, but does it really make a difference?
According to West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA), regular grade gasoline is perfectly fine for most drivers, but drivers should pay attention to their vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the grade of gasoline they put in their car.
"The main difference in gasoline are the octane levels and type of additives included in the gasoline," according to information provided by OMEGA. "A gasoline's octane rating measures its ability to prevent engine knocking. Powerful engines exert more pressure on the major components of your car, including head gaskets, spark plugs and pistons. Also, higher-grade gasoline can include more additives which work to boost the octane level."
There is a difference in octane grades and how they, along with additives, affect fuel economy, according to Woodford Oil President Curt Woodford and his son, Vice President Todd Woodford, both of Elkins.
Curt Woodford said there are three basic grades of gasoline available at retail outlets - regular (87 octane rating), mid-grade (89 octane rating) and premium (93 octane rating). He said the gasoline's octane rating is derived by adding the research octane number and the motor octane number and then dividing them by two (R+M/2). He explained the research octane number is determined by how the fuel reacts during laboratory tests and the motor octane number is supposed to reflect how the fuel performs "out in the real world."
"The higher octane fuels are basically for some of the cam engines and multi-value engines that need a little more octane," Curt Woodford said. "A lot of the higher performance motors need the higher octane. For most cars, the octane rating really doesn't matter. Using the higher octane would help keep the injectors cleaner, but not much else. It's probably best to stick with what the manufacture recommends."
One suggestion that could help consumers with better gas mileage is purchasing brand name gasoline such as Exxon, Marathon or Chevron. These companies use additives in their fuel to help the engine run more efficiently.
"A popular misconception is between unbranded and branded gasoline," Todd Woodford said. "At the terminal, it all comes in as straight gasoline. But whenever you are buying it from branded suppliers such as Chevron, Exxon or Marathon, they have additives in their fuel. Unbranded stations just have the straight 87, 89 or 93 octane, without the additive packages. That's where you will notice the difference in fuel economy. It's just a better gasoline because of the additives."
Todd Woodford said Woodford Oil company distributes both branded and unbranded gasoline depending on the customer's choice. He said branded retailers are not allowed to mix unbranded gasoline into their facilities. He said the fuel quality is inspected often to make sure the retailers have the brand specified. If not, they could lose their franchise.
Even before gasoline prices increased, Angela Carr of Elkins filled her Ford Explorer with regular unleaded fuel, she said. The Explorer does not require a higher grade of gasoline, so she said she simply buys the least expensive grade.
Some other area residents said price has always been a factor, regardless of what the manufacturer recommends.
Lee Price of Elkins said when she goes to the pumps to fill her gas tank, she always reaches for the lowest price grade. She said the fuel prices pretty much make her decision for her.
"The price is the main reason," Price said. "We have a car that requires the higher grade, but we always fill it up with the low grade."
Michelle Metheny, also of Elkins, owns a Dodge Caravan and although she can use regular unleaded gas for her van, she chooses to use mid-grade. Even with the high gas prices, Metheny said she won't consider using regular.
"It's just better quality I think," she said. "I just don't go any lower."
Jenny Simmons of Valley Bend said she uses regular unleaded gasoline for her Ford Focus, in spite of the manufacturer's suggestion to use high-test gasoline.
Although she uses regular gasoline, Simmons said she does think the grade of gas makes a difference.
"Your car runs a lot better," she said.
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ltlabner
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07-12-08 1:50 PM
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What people don't know is that all the gasoline comes from the same refinery's! It comes up in a big pipeline with balls between the grades of gasoline and fuels. Regular gas is the same gas in Krogers, Hess, Exxon, Texaco and etc. Matter of fact the off brand stations sell more than the Major Brands so your gas is "fresher" or move's faster thus your getting a great product for the price. Only trouble in Wv is the Off Brands are not enough to make the Major Brands reduce prices. I look for the oil bubble to bust before year end to $60.00 per barrel. Hold off on ordering heating fuel oil as long as you can. There is no shortage of disruptions now! All this high price oil is speculation and hype! It is being driven up and it will be driven down!
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