I'd like to know that myself. I do know racing fuel comes in different colors though.
Differentiating premium from regular fuel.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Differentiating premium from regular fuel.
Often wondered if I am getting cheated by the oil Corporations or individual dealers.
Does anyone know if there are any markers such as color, smell, texture to differentiate 87 octane from 91 octane fuel.
Back in the 60's and 70's, I recall that regular fuel was light yellowish brown in in color and premium was clear, now they tend
to be both clear.
I tend to use pumps where there is a separate hose for each grade but they are harder to find and most pumps have a common hose for each grade. Now if one were to fill the Vette with premium fuel and use the same hose/nozzle that someone just used for regular gas, wouldn't some regular gas residue become mixed with premium fuel?
I guess that's nit picking and wouldn't be an issue performance wise with that small amount of mixture but my main concern is what if all the grades were just regular with a premium logo. Unless you drive fairly aggressively, you wouldn't really know for sure what grade you purchased. I tend to drive my C5Z fairly easily, but at lower speeds and in a higher gear (almost lugging it) I noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, it goes away as soon as I accelerate. It's just something I always wonder as I'm filling up the tank.
Does anyone know if there are any markers such as color, smell, texture to differentiate 87 octane from 91 octane fuel.
Back in the 60's and 70's, I recall that regular fuel was light yellowish brown in in color and premium was clear, now they tend
to be both clear.
I tend to use pumps where there is a separate hose for each grade but they are harder to find and most pumps have a common hose for each grade. Now if one were to fill the Vette with premium fuel and use the same hose/nozzle that someone just used for regular gas, wouldn't some regular gas residue become mixed with premium fuel?
I guess that's nit picking and wouldn't be an issue performance wise with that small amount of mixture but my main concern is what if all the grades were just regular with a premium logo. Unless you drive fairly aggressively, you wouldn't really know for sure what grade you purchased. I tend to drive my C5Z fairly easily, but at lower speeds and in a higher gear (almost lugging it) I noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, it goes away as soon as I accelerate. It's just something I always wonder as I'm filling up the tank.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
I'll see if I can find anything similar for octane.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Found a couple portable octane testers -
The Shatox is $3500 bucks!
Can't find a price on the zeltex.
I also found a thing that showed that South Dakota bought them for gas station inspectors - pretty slick...doubt they would consider that in SC, lol. They probably don't have computers in the office here.
The Shatox is $3500 bucks!
Can't find a price on the zeltex.
I also found a thing that showed that South Dakota bought them for gas station inspectors - pretty slick...doubt they would consider that in SC, lol. They probably don't have computers in the office here.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Florida
the US post office weights and measure checks the octain and cetane of fuel at the pump. plus they measure to make sure you the pump reads a gallon for a gallon. now when hes done the leave a sticker on the pump its about 3x3 inches and it has a date.
imagine that. shell fuel has three chambers in there tanker truck 87,89,93.
other not sure who have 87 and add a booster to there 89 and 93 after its dumped into the stations tank.
imagine that. shell fuel has three chambers in there tanker truck 87,89,93.other not sure who have 87 and add a booster to there 89 and 93 after its dumped into the stations tank.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
You're best weapon against fuel is to get a computer tune that will adjust your stoich mixture for E10 (.10:1 Ethanol to gas). Drops it from 14.7 to 14.1 and believe me when I tell you it makes a big difference.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Some small time operation in the Raleigh area got caught a while back, mixing their 87 Octane with 93 and selling it as 93. The fine was pretty stiff, not to mention they had to come up with a formula for paying back customers. Then to add more headaches, it made the newspaper and the 6PM local news. IMHO none of the majors would even consider doing this. Buy your gas from a big time operation and you will be OK.
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