Date:         Tue, 11 Jul 1995 20:12:48 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         wabbott@townshend.Corp.Megatest.COM (William Abbott)
Subject:      Gasoline and Octane numbers

	Rachel writes for Ramona asking about gasoline octane. 

	So I've been running a vaguely scientific experiment for the
last 4000 miles in my Corrado- I switched from 92 Shell Su-2000 to
whatever they call their 89. Someone here said that the lower
octane had a higher energy density and so I'd get better milage with
lower octane.
	And the results? I used to get about 25.6mpg, pretty
steadily, in the Corrado. Now I get 26.6. About a 4% change, 
and in the right direction. Next time I fill up I'll go back
to SU-2000 (92) and see where the milage goes.

	For my air-cooled, I plan to run 92 until I have a head temp
gauge and then do a couplea tankfulls of research. At the risk of
repeating myself, I consider gasoline not unlike peanut butter or other
processed commodities. I don't buy my fuel on price alone, and neither
do I supply my faithful cars on that basis. Have you ever eaten really
cheap peanut butter? Blech!

	Deming's 4th point, as I'm sure Pete Sellers would agree, is
"Cease doing business on the basis of price tag alone." Couldn't have 
said it better myself.

	Cheers, all!
	Bill