East Coast Vs. West Coast Premium Gasoline?

Question

How come there is 93 Octane premium gas in CT, but only 91 Octane premium gas in AZ?

my car requires premium so i've always used the high octane. when i moved to the southwest, the 93 became no longer available.

Answer 1

The antiknock or octane rating of a fuel is a measure of its resistance to knock. The antiknock requirements of an engine depend on numerous factors, including engine design, operation, and atmospheric conditions. Automobiles manufactured prior to 1984 with carbureted engines could, at higher altitudes, use a lower octane rating and achieve the same performance as newer, fuel-injected autos using 87 octane fuel at sea level. Since the advent of sophisticated engine control technology starting in 1984, however, the effect of altitude upon octane rating has declined to the extent that the newest cars require the listed octane as found in the owners manual regardless of the altitude.

Answer 2

The lower octane is not so much by state, but rather the altitude at which it is being used.. High altitude areas like northern AZ, Colorado, Utah and such require lower octane because of less air pressure at high altitude to equal the same burn rate.

Answer 3

i live in tacoma wa. and we have 93 at most pumps and 94 where i buy gas for my 11:1 347 mustang in Spanaway at the CENEX station.but not being very smart i would have to say research the METHOD used to derive the number on the pump ,read the sticker!