Frank Theissen from Orlando writes:
What is octane in gasoline, and are there benefits to using a higher octane fuel in my car?
Frank, octane is a measure of a fuel’s ability to resist engine
knocking or pinging. Higher octane gas burns slower. The slow burning
fuel prevents engine knocking when cylinder pressures are high. Cars
are designed to run on a certain octane ratio number, and should not
require anything above that. However, as cars get older the normal
build up of fuel related deposits in an engine can increase the fuel
octane number needed to prevent engine knock. By always following the
manufacture’s recommended service and scheduled maintenance intervals,
the use of a higher octane gasoline number than suggested for your car
should not be necessary.
-Jamie Monroy, Metro West Tuffy
