Think about the last time you went to the fuel pump. You probably looked at the price, and who doesn't. But did you notice everything else? What could those other things be doing to your vehicle?
The next time you're traveling, and you're at the gas pumps, look at the octane rating. For those using premium gasoline, you're already doing this, and the same goes for diesel. However, if you have your typical unleaded vehicle, make sure you're getting 87 octane or higher. In several states in and around the Rocky Mountains, specifically seen in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and parts of the Texas Panhandle, you might see regular unleaded, but it's rated at only 85 or 86 octane. Sure, vehicles tuned at the higher altitudes may be able to accept these lower octanes, but your vehicle probably won't. You'll start to get engine knocking and do some serious damage. So pay attention to those octanes, and don't ruin your ride.
Since the gas spike of the mid-2000's, refineries have started to mix ethanol with their gasoline. You have to be careful, because just like lower octanes, too much ethanol will ruin a vehicle's engine. In the first few years of its usage, there were some states, such as Iowa, that would offer 15% ethanol gasoline. This is way too much for a traditional engine, and will cause problems. The state has since reduced to 10% which is OK for the modern engine, but they still regularly offer ethanol-free gasoline at a decent price, as you'll see a hit in fuel economy with ethanol. Older engines were not designed to run with ethanol whatsoever, so they'll need pure gasoline. There are "FlexFuel" vehicles out there that could do it, but do make sure it's properly dispensed. Once again, pay attention to what's sold to you, and make sure your vehicle has been designed to handle it.
So the next time you make a long trip, watch what you put in your tank. Your internal compass may tell you to go somewhere, but always make sure you can get there safely.
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