Why Are There 4 Choices?

Serious question: would gas be cheaper if there were only two choices, or one? What is the purpose of having 3 or 4 different octanes? Why not just have 87, or better yet 93? Or just have 87 and 93...

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Comments

Todd Austin (ReTodd) says:

Wow...what are pumping 93 into?
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Matthew Oliphant says:

Into my 1998 VW Golf. Mostly because it drives better and gets better gas millage with 93. And I'd only save about 3$ per fill up with 87.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Chris Griffin says:

Certain cars requires certain gas. I drive a Mustang and it requires 87 (regular) octane, as most cars do. If I put anything higher quality it won't add performance, or have any marginal effect on your engine or gas mileage. You should probably take a look at the owner's manual to make sure 93 octane is okay. I'm guessing only performance cars (such as a Corvette) would require something like 93 octane.

autorepair.about.com/od/enginefuelgasolines/a /highoctaneg...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Matt Robin says:

Ah, those crazy Americans!!! ;)

We just have two choices, mostly, in the UK: Regular or Premium. 'Ultra 93' (Esso?) must be the rocket fuel of choice for refined, sophisticated sporty engines. What is the difference between 'Regular' and 'Plus' though?
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

jbradforddillon says:

Now add Diesel onto that pump and you're up to 5.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

matthewsim says:

They're using market segmentation to reduce consumer surplus. Or something.

I think they only stock the high and low octanes and mix the intermediate ones on-the-fly.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Matthew Oliphant says:

Over the past 128,000 miles I've had time to test the effects of different grades. 93 seems to fit my car the best and the owner's manual doesn't specify a grade.

I've been tempted before to put in 104 grade, but that might mess things up. :)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Matthew Oliphant says:

Speaking of Diesel, remember when it used to be significantly cheaper than gas? Now it seems significantly more expensive. What gives!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Brian Gilham says:

Interesting difference I've noticed between the States and Canada: here we don't have to pay until AFTER pumping our gas.

The prices are still just as high, unfortunately.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Why Are There 4 Choices?

Comments

Todd Austin (ReTodd) says:

Matthew Oliphant says:

Chris Griffin says:

Matt Robin says:

jbradforddillon says:

matthewsim says:

Matthew Oliphant says:

Matthew Oliphant says:

Brian Gilham says:

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