Octane rating in US vs. Europe

[FrustratedUser]

Someone tell me this.

European ratings range from Regular (95) to Super (98)
US rating range from Regular (87) to Super (91)

US gas < European gas or is it calculated different?

 

[PowerMacG5]

No idea, but I always put premium in my car (93 Octane in the US).

 

[puffpio]

both!

us measured octane as (RON + MON) / 2
the average of the Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number

In the rest of the world, they just use RON or MON, can't remember which but their gas is still better than ours

 

[FrustratedUser]

OK It's called premium here but you know what I mean.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: pio!pio!
both!

us measured octane as (RON + MON) / 2
the average of the Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number

In the rest of the world, they just use RON or MON, can't remember which but their gas is still better than ours

That was my though too but didn't find anything about it.

 

[PHiuR]

high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: pio!pio!
both!

us measured octane as (RON + MON) / 2
the average of the Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number

In the rest of the world, they just use RON or MON, can't remember which but their gas is still better than ours

Yeah but our gas is cheaper so I thinks thats better

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

That was not my point but on the other hand:

Higher octane fuel ---> engines can be tuned for higher power output. Isn't some cars de-tuned for the US market (M3 and such)?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Yeah but our gas is cheaper so I thinks thats better

True that but the higher prices in Europe are due to higher taxes, environmental and others.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

Well actually, my engine can't take anything less than 91 Octane. Direct from Mercury's website:


Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine Type: 4.6L DOHC 32-valve V8

Displacement (liters/cu in): 4.6 / 281

Horsepower @ rpm: 302 @ 5750

Torque (lb. - ft @ rpm): 318 @ 4300

Compression Ratio: 10.1:1

Bore and Stroke: 3.6 x 3.6

Fuel System: Sequential multi-port with electronic fuel injection

Fuel Requirement: 91 octane (minimum)

Exhaust System: True dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips

 

[Lars]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
US rating range from Regular (87) to Super (91)

Regular is 85 here in Colorado.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: KraziKid

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

Well actually, my engine can't take anything less than 91 Octane. Direct from Mercury's website:


Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine Type: 4.6L DOHC 32-valve V8

Displacement (liters/cu in): 4.6 / 281

Horsepower @ rpm: 302 @ 5750

Torque (lb. - ft @ rpm): 318 @ 4300

Compression Ratio: 10.1:1

Bore and Stroke: 3.6 x 3.6

Fuel System: Sequential multi-port with electronic fuel injection

Fuel Requirement: 91 octane (minimum)

Exhaust System: True dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips

10:1 requires 91 octane?

 

[Lithium381]

i use 87, it's cheapest, once in a while i put that fuel cleaner in my engine, so all the grodies that come with the 87 are destroyed

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: KraziKid

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

Well actually, my engine can't take anything less than 91 Octane. Direct from Mercury's website:


Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine Type: 4.6L DOHC 32-valve V8

Displacement (liters/cu in): 4.6 / 281

Horsepower @ rpm: 302 @ 5750

Torque (lb. - ft @ rpm): 318 @ 4300

Compression Ratio: 10.1:1

Bore and Stroke: 3.6 x 3.6

Fuel System: Sequential multi-port with electronic fuel injection

Fuel Requirement: 91 octane (minimum)

Exhaust System: True dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips

Actually, you can probably run regular in it without a problem........the computer would just detune the engine a bit to compensate for the lower octane fuel. You'd lose a little power, but it'd run alright.

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

That was not my point but on the other hand:

Higher octane fuel ---> engines can be tuned for higher power output. Isn't some cars de-tuned for the US market (M3 and such)?

While its true that a number of Euro cars made for the US market are less powerful it has little to nothing to do with the fuel. Its the emissions equipment.

 

[Ornery]

"...polished stainless steel tips"

Christ, there's 20HP right there! :Q

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"...polished stainless steel tips"

Christ, there's 20HP right there! :Q

LOL!!!!!

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider

Originally posted by: Ornery
"...polished stainless steel tips"

Christ, there's 20HP right there! :Q

LOL!!!!!

Nah, it's 50 . Seriously, the tips are factory stock, and they make the entire look of the car great. Mercury Marauder, look it up - Modern day muscle car.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Alptraum

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

That was not my point but on the other hand:

Higher octane fuel ---> engines can be tuned for higher power output. Isn't some cars de-tuned for the US market (M3 and such)?

While its true that a number of Euro cars made for the US market are less powerful it has little to nothing to do with the fuel. Its the emissions equipment.

OK, but what is different from EU emissions?

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: Alptraum

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: PHiuR
high octane gas = waste of $...no use for it. for regular street driving.

That was not my point but on the other hand:

Higher octane fuel ---> engines can be tuned for higher power output. Isn't some cars de-tuned for the US market (M3 and such)?

While its true that a number of Euro cars made for the US market are less powerful it has little to nothing to do with the fuel. Its the emissions equipment.

OK, but what is different from EU emissions?

US spec is more restrictive. In general that means they make the exhaust system more restrictive among other things.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Still don't get it. Do you mean more restrictive as in less particles/NO/HC/CO or in diameter.
A smaller diameter won't reduce emissions AFAIK.

 

[Crazymofo]

Originally posted by: Lithium381
i use 87, it's cheapest, once in a while i put that fuel cleaner in my engine, so all the grodies that come with the 87 are destroyed

Take note! Octane has nothing to do with the quality of gas you are getting!!!!! It is simply an additive that stops the gas from igniting to soon!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Still don't get it. Do you mean more restrictive as in less particles/NO/HC/CO or in diameter.
A smaller diameter won't reduce emissions AFAIK.

I'll bow out at this point as I am no car expert. I am just basing what I say on what I have been told by a mechanic friend (He has a shop that specializes in German autos, BMWs and Porsches mainl) and people I have known through the PCA and BMWCCA. I am guessing it has little if anything to do with diameter though.

 

[LAUST]

Boost can screw with all those numbers

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Yeah but our gas is cheaper so I thinks thats better

True that but the higher prices in Europe are due to higher taxes, environmental and others.

And the fact that petroleum and the automotive industry isn't the backbone of the European economy