Thread: Cost of fuel...
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Old 02-25-2022, 08:48 AM   #38
Charlie T
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Default Gas Fallacy

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless View Post
Just purchased one single gallon of hi-test, 91-octane Irving $4.19 gasoline for the Troy-Bilt 24" snowblower, plus replaced the spark plug and old yucky engine oil in anticipation for today's Friday, February 25 prediction for 8-12" snowfall. On Wednesday it was like 60-degrees, sunny, and warm; a fine day to work on the snowblower, outdoors.

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First time ever that I spent the big money on hi-test gasoline to coax a little stronger performance out of the old snowblower.
I hate to break it to you but it's a common and mistaken belief that High Octane fuel will provide you with more power. The high octane gas contains more "knock inhibitors" to prevent pre ignition in higher compression engines which have the potential to make more HP. Those knock inhibitors take up "space" in the gallon of gasoline that would otherwise contain hydrocarbons that contain energy. Essentially a gallon of 91 contains fewer BTU's (energy) than a gallon of 87. Most small equipment engine manufacturers specifically recommend against higher octane fuel as it gives poorer performance than "regular".
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