i live in Colorado and we have 3 grades of gas 85, 87, and...

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Question by christine jenkins
Submitted on 4/29/2004
Related FAQ: Gasoline FAQ - Part 4 of 4
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i live in Colorado and we have 3 grades of gas 85, 87, and 91 octane. other states have 2-3 grades also, but their octane levels are 87, 89, and 91. why does Colorado have a lower octane level for their regular unleaded where in most states the regular octane is 87?

Answer by cd
Submitted on 5/18/2004
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I believe it has to do with the elevation

Answer by Carnuck
Submitted on 6/1/2004
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As CD said, it has to do with the elevation (and emissions requirements) but also at higher elevation there is less air pressure, so less air gets into your motor. That makes your compression lower, which means that your motor is less likely to "ping" (Pre-ignite or knock) on lower octane fuel. When I was last in CO, my truck ran so well on the lower octane stuff that I brought a can of it back with me to the coast but it ran horrible at lower altitudes, and I'm at sea-level!

Answer by Bruno
Submitted on 6/17/2004
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The reason for lower octain in CO is due to the altitude. The 85 octain will help cars with carburaters run better with less Oxygen. However, most cars made since the mid 1980's are fuel injected. Lower octain will cause the engine to do what is called "Knocking". This knocking over time will do harm to your engine. The recomended octain for most fuel injected engines is 87. As for 91 octain, this is reserved for high compression engines (sports cars, high performance engines, etc...). Most normal cars will not last any longer or preform any better with a higher octain than 87.

Answer by The last don
Submitted on 4/22/2005
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is there anywhere in denver to find 93 octain??? if not what is the best additive to boost octain levls

Answer by The Right Answer
Submitted on 1/3/2006
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All of these answers are good attempts but they are wrong. The reason there are lower octane levels, is due to pollution levels and cold air climates. Lower octane levels produce less emissions, burns faster in your engine causing it to be not as volatile to the environment. Also, the lower octane levels will not cause knocking in a car unless it is 1. carburetor 2. was built before 87-88 and is fuel injected. SO stick that in your pipe and smoke it

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