This article is suggesting that 88-octane is not good for 87-octane engines.
I was of the understanding that you can always go higher octane, without ill effects, but you can’t go lower octane, because of potential knocking.
The article also states that the 88-octane oil is 15% ethanol. So maybe it is the ethanol rating and not the octane rating that is problematic?
The article also states that the 88-octane oil is 15% ethanol. So maybe it is the ethanol rating and not the octane rating that is problematic?
Yes, the warning has nothing to do with the octane rating. Modern engines (aside from "Flex-Fuel") are designed for a maximum of 10% ethanol contamination in gasoline. Higher levels may damage the fuel system.
Most older vehicles can also tolerate 10% ethanol, particularly if rubber fuel system parts have been replaced which should be done on a decades-old vehicle in any event. I certainly wouldn't want to try a 15% concentration though.
Cars nowadays are made to burn a 10% ethanol blend. It's been that way since at least the mid to late 80s, when they started building cars with fuel injection.
Lawn equipment you must not put regular gas with 10% ethanol if the owner's manual doesn't call for it. They have carburetors in them and ethanol embrittles them if they're unprotected.
I have never heard of 88 octane gas with 15% ethanol before. Do you know what vehicle or engine it is formulated to be used in?
When there were allegedly fuel shortages last year the President went on record to increase ethanol from 10% to 15%, which is stupid because there's less energy in ethanol than gas. There never were fuel shortages either.
@justin-shepherd Thanks
