Octane

[Ed Toner]

Here in NJ, we have mandatory Full Service gas stations. It is illegal to fill up yourself.

Considering the number of old widows in the state, NJ is famous for Senior Citizens Developments, such as Seizure Village, ***'s Waiting Room, etc., it's not a bad idea, and our prices are competitive with neighboring states who have Self Service.

However, a young numbskull with metal hanging from many of his body parts, filled me up with Gulf Regular, despite being told to use Super. It was a 20 Gal. refill.

Nothing I could do about it, so I've been driving with it. I make it a point to go easy on the pedal, and so far, 100 miles, no noticible ill effects.

One thing I did notice was a significant DROP in radiator temperature.

Does anyone have experience with this situation?

[altezzaz]

If your car has a cat then it will also have one or more "knock sensors" that will tell the ECU to retard the ignition on lower spec fuels - it means that you should be ok but the car won't be as powerful as on normal fuel.

[franmac]

The drop in running temp. will be caused because of reduced octane levels.

High octane fuels burn hotter .. hence the problem of melting pistons with

really high octane level fuel additive. More power as a result of a cleaner burn

but much higher temps in the combustion chamber. 87Ron fuel is really low but should do no harm.

Eamonn.

[Ed Toner]

Eamonn - Thanks. BTW, we named our eldest son Eamonn, in honor of old Dev.

My wife is from Lucan, so we named #2 Patrick Sarsfield Toner, and #6 is Kevin Barry Toner.

I met her in The Metropole, when I was an Aer Lingus pilot.

[franmac]

Great to see it spelt properly ... with 2 "n"s ...!!!!!

Eamonn.