Flawed octane rating testing by Consumer Reports

Recently Consumer Reports published a piece how premium grade gasoline may not be needed for vehicles due to manufacturer recommendation versus a requirement. The article has several flaws and omits some key factors. One aspect is the testing used two vehicles that had recommendations for premium grade gasoline but not a requirement. The recommendations are usually only for performance, but the testing was lacking in a variety of situations.

It was suggested that if the feel and the sound of the engine indicates knocking, it’s a good idea to use gas with higher octane. Feel and sound are not good indicators of knocking or pinging. It is more serious when it is audible but using the human ear as a guide is deeply flawed. A data logger for the knock sensor and reading how the engine fuel mixture reacts is the only way to determine if the octane is causing knock. Knock is detrimental, audible knock is very bad.

Consumer Reports claimed the power difference using premium versus regular grade gas was measured with a zero to sixty mile per hour timed acceleration test.  A 0-60mph time is a very poor comparison of horsepower. It is too launch dependent and only runs through the first two gears typically. A more powerful car may have a more difficult and therefore slower launch due to managing traction. This confounds the data even though it makes up the time once rolling. There are two reliable ways to measure horsepower without removing the engine; a chassis dynamometer and full throttle acceleration from a roll at a given speed and gear selected. The testers cannot feel a few more or less horsepower either. Not many people are able to accurately.  

The article never mentioned mid-grade fuel nor the premium octane rating ranges. 91 octane is prevalent in California but 92 and 93 octane is available in other areas. Are factory stock vehicles tuned for 91 or 93? The difference can be significant. Are any production cars tuned for 93 versus 91? In powerful cars, especially with forced induction, just what would the difference be? An estimate is it can be a ten to thirty horsepower difference.

The last sentence hinting at reliability is irresponsible. It is implying a vehicle requiring premium is less reliable. Yet a performance engine is highly engineered with extra robust components. Also a first tier gas supplier may have a superior formulation in its premium grade. For instance Shell's V-Power Nitro+ has seven times the government mandated additive package that is proven to reduce valve deposits, corrosion and cause less wear versus other brands. That would imply superior reliability. 

It should be noted that the testing didn't vary atmospheric conditions and temperatures. Nor take into account the summer versus winter grade of gasoline. Engine output varies significantly based on intake air temperature also called altitude density. It also should be disclosed that vehicles with forced induction tend to require premium fuel, and not simply recommended unless specifically noted. Especially when the engine is tuned for performance rather than economy.

Measuring performance differences demand proper instrumented testing and procedures. It also requires disclosure of testing conditions and more than a cherry picked facts and tests.

 Link to Consumer Reports article:

http://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy/why-you-might-not-actually-need-premium-gas/

The Ban on the Internal Combustion Engine

Is headed our way. Eventually internal combustion engine vehicles will be marginalized to the point of being effectively banned and nearly extinct. Just like incremental firearm bans in several states, the restrictions will either outright keep the internal combustion engine vehicles from accessing many areas or other targeted means so that their use and in parallel, sales will diminish and they will become limited access, higher insurance, and less vehicle choices. Coincidentally it seems to follow progressions along political party lines too. Meanwhile China, Russia and India are seemingly gross industrial polluters but Russia and India have adopted European vehicle emission standards.

The ever evolving, fossil fuel consuming, emission spewing engine in modern cars in the United States are incredibly clean burning. Whether you call it global warming or climate change, the modern automobile in the US is a tiny contributor to the problem especially as more and more hybrids hit the road. And us dinosaurs; with gas consuming throwbacks should welcome electric cars so the scorn thrust upon is diminished. But the enthusiast will eventually be penalized for owning one. Yes the electric motor is more efficient, doesn’t require the fuel burning resources to operate, has less maintenance but has limitations and lacks vital interaction with the driver.

The bans and penalties are already here.  Currently London has a congestion charge, targeting the ICE. Paris has banned cars made before 1997 and Motorcycles made before 2000. Norway and Holland are moving to ban gas powered cars by 2025.  Germany just voted for a resolution to ban ICE vehicles for sale in the European Union by 2030. Nationally the ass-backwards logic of the HOV lanes already pushes the ICE into the more congested lanes. Just wait until some politician, the EPA or CARB (California Air Resources Board) decides it is time to start attacking the numerous, thirsty terrors on our roads in the US: Trucks and SUVs. It’s inevitable and it will piss you off.

This isn’t to say electric vehicles are inferior. On public roads for commuting to work, the Tesla Model S is possibly quite superior. Tesla is the only EV on sale, for years now, that is an absolutely viable daily driver for well over 90% of commuters. And when the smaller and much more affordable Model 3 comes out and is able keep up with demand, the big paradigm shift will start. Chevrolet hopes their funny looking Bolt will be the kickoff. Well, judging by the many Prius out there, maybe they are right. I mean correct.

Currently, range is the biggest concern about EVs. The next technological leap from laboratory-to- production battery technology will solve that concern. But, hauling and towing capacity will remain in the realm of the ICE. Proof is the most extreme example is that there are no battery or electric powered semi-trailer trucks or passenger planes, nor is it feasible at this time.

For the enthusiast, a street legal EV can’t complete a lap under full power, nor can it do back-to-back dragstrip runs without cool-downs. Powertrain software intentionally diminishes available power as motor temperatures increase and battery capacity decreases. The batteries get taxed under wide open throttle and the electric motor heats up. You know what really sucks about EVs? No sound. An enthusiast knows a great engine and exhaust note contributes exponentially to the experience. Don’t believe me? Try watching Formula One, NASCAR or NHRA on mute. Or Star Wars with only dialogue and without music. Don’t forget transmissions! Shifting gears is a very pleasurable experience and interaction with a mechanical device. It is control, involvement and response. EVs lose efficiency with multiple gear ratios and the sound difference is moot. They are also quite heavy. Battery capacity needs to take some giant leaps before 6.2lbs of battery has the same stored energy the equivalent energy of gasoline which weighs about the same.

Other manufacturers besides Tesla are delving into the EV scene. We know too well the efficient yet ugly, performance compromised wart and appliance offerings like the Leaf, i3 and Prius. Look at manufacturer participation in Formula E. Audi just announced leaving the World Endurance Challenge for Formula E. Keep in mind they are owned by Volkswagen. The ridiculously quiet Formula E racing series is with compromised cars due to a vehicle swap needed mid-race on shortened tracks because of battery capacity, without sound. Formula E currently is just a marketing appeasement for those who scoff at the fuel burners. What do you think transports the cars and crew from city to city? And they don’t all use solar power to charge the batteries, I assure you of that. They should put solar panels on semi-tractor trailers though, huh? Still don’t get it? Ask yourself why digital watches haven’t completely taken over the market for mechanical movments.

There will be several ways the ICE will be penalized and segregated. HOV lanes as mentioned. The government is mandating higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that will require tiny gas engines with hybrid power or EVs. That means little putt-putt cars that can’t spin a tire or generate any thrust detected and identified by the human brain as pleasurable or satisfying. By the way, forget about diesel cars. Thanks to Volkswagen committing diesel seppuku, diesel cars in the US are doomed, let alone elsewhere. But we need diesel trucks, don’t we?

But trucks, ah yes, our trucks and for that matter SUVs. Haulers, towing, deliveries, cargo transport. Essential to our economy and weekend recreation for many. Politicians and their appointees will stand behind it. They won’t get the idea from my proclamation, they would eventually think of it themselves and probably already suggested on the deep, dark online forums for EV fanboys. Two years ago the idea for an ICE ban petition appeared on a Tesla Forum.

This is how the bans will be implemented: They will propose pick-up trucks and SUVs used as daily transportation without associated business use by registration have a very expensive registration fee or tax and of course an outright ban from certain areas. In other words, going to work in your pick-up or SUV that you use to haul the family, projects and toys on the weekend will cost you thousands of dollars versus the EV or hybrid sedan owner. This is not a big leap of paranoia. Modular auto loading rifles are being banned piece by piece and so are semiautomatic pistols. But there is a bigger killer than guns and that’s why the ICE is the target. The World Health Organization considers the direct cause of 4.6 million people dying per year is from air pollution.

A subtle change already in place is California implementing a multi-step diesel engine requirement that mandates 2010 or newer emissions on trucks phased in by weight class. Harley Davidson was fined for selling an engine tuner that wasn’t emission compliant. Vance & Hines was fined for selling non-CARB compliant exhaust systems. Los Gatos, an upscale suburb of San Jose banned gas powered leaf blowers due to sound, but of course there was the secondary benefit. The government agencies are going after the aftermarket suppliers of performance parts, but wait until they go after replacement parts. They will require costly compliance measures that will discourage production of said parts by registration fees, excessive taxes and more.

Why not sports cars? Because trucks are the bestselling vehicles in the US. They are the biggest target and they get driven a lot and don’t get very good mileage. Forget my earlier attack on silly lifted trucks, this time we all need to band together on this one. What if the family EV or economy car needs service or is insufficient to bring the family on a trip. Will it be chargeable, fineable or simply unlawful to drive into the city or to work because the registration isn’t tied to your business? A license plate reader can easily tack a five hundred or thousand dollar additional fee and that has the same intent and outcome of an outright ban. The penalty itself becomes the defacto ban. Incentivize the manufacturer, then the consumer. Then penalize the opposite end of the spectrum with higher fees, tougher requirements and more restrictions. That’s how you manipulate the market. Make it really tough to manufacturer, outlaw certain aspects, and suddenly the ban is in place.  

What needs to be done? Our engines need to be clean burning in the US and the rest of the world needs to catch up because they very well may be ruining it for us. Vehicles in China, the largest vehicle market must be clean burning like ours. Don’t get upset, we have 175hp per liter turbo engines and 770hp naturally aspirated engines that are emission compliant, the fun won’t go away. Small engines like leaf blowers and lawn mowers must be clean burning. Modifications for increased power must be allowed and not banned with excessive costs and unrealistic requirements. The time of throttle opening for excess-than-stock power is miniscule in comparison to the total engine hour lifespan. EPA compliance must continue, but I wonder what CARB requires for an approval and cost

We've got to continue with solar development and make it common and widespread. The more clean energy use, the better chance the enthusiast will be forgiven and hopefully not targeted. Vote for realistic politicians who don’t think the wonderfully complex ICE is a threat. Continue to encourage development for efficiency and low-emissions. Buy the fossil fuel burning car, truck or motorcycle you intend to keep.

Don’t destroy it, restore it. Support the major gas producers on social media and their investments in hope the gas prices don’t increase as demand drops. There are a few spectacularly miserly hybrids that can deflect the scorn, but only a few fun ones, to borrow the line, burn gas and rubber.

Pictured: Sources of great sound, great sensation generators and killers of millions. :rolleyes: