Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Higher grades of fuel for gas golf carts
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Old 06-06-2011, 10:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluedog103 View Post
Higher octane gasoline is not better gas, it is gas with an additive to prevent pre-ignition in a high compression rated engine.
Here's how it works, in an extremely condensed explanation.
When your piston is travelling up it builds up compression in the cylinder. Under high compression, gasoline which has been squirted into the cylinder via the intake valves can detonate prior to the spark from the spark plug. This is pre-ignition, something you want to avoid. The increased octane actually reduces the explosiveness of the fuel to help prevent the fuel from igniting too soon.
I'm not sure about all carts but Yamaha rates it's golf cart engines at an 8:1 compression rating, hardly high compression.
That's all the increased octane does. It does not reduce odor, it does not increase milage, it does not decrease wear.
To pay for premium gas most vehicles is a waste of money. If you stick to known brands of gasoline you should have all the additives you need to help your engine run fine and dandy on regular unleaded.
Glad someone took this one on- I believe even the dealers give bad info on this subject- Higher octane is definitely a waste of money unless you have a very high compression engine. Gas additives are most often a waste also. Don't really know about Sta bil. Does anyone out there have facts(not anecdotes) about the value of Sta bil? Just the facts Maam