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Premium? Only if specifiedFeb 23 '00 Write an essay on this topic.The efficiency of the automobile has come very far in the past ten years. Automobiles today not only operate much better than their predecessors of the past decade, they do so on gasoline rated at much lower octane. This is mainly do to advancements in computer technology which allows for better ignition and air fuel mixtures. Today's automobile computers can monitor a variety of engine functions such as temperature, fuel metering, oxygen and exhaust gasses. These computers can then make adjustments to best optimize the burning of the gas introduced to the engine. They can also sense if the vehicle is knocking and compensate to eliminate the cause. Manufacturers such as Honda even use variable valve lift technology which actually make adjustment to the engines timing and intake and exhaust valve openings while the vehicle is being driven! All these technologies have developed in the attempt to get the most performance and efficiency out of todays engines. Engines are designed with specific tolerances and outputs and these include the octane rating of the fuel they are to use. So the use of higher octane ratings can have an adverse consequence on a modern engine by forcing it to compensate in other areas of ignition and emission control for the higher octane. In other words, there is no benefit in emissions or performance for using a higher octane fuel. The only thing the driver of a vehicle who's manufacturer recommends a low octane will get by using a high octane fuel is a lighter wallet. Check your owners manual and use only the fuel it recommends. If you are having excessive knocking or emission control problems, get your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.  |
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