Just want to let everyone know that beginning of this new year MTBE is no longer legal in CA. The 100 octane " cool blue " that you can get from some the pump at some of the Unocal 76 stations contains MTBE and so it is no longer available. Some gas stations still may be charging you for 100 octane, but you really getting is 91 or even worse 87 octane. I personally know this to be true. I pumped 5 gallons into a gas can and noticed the color was not blue, when I questioned the attendent he gave me a blank stare ans no response. Anyway, just thought I'd pass on the info.

 

you can still get up to 116 (leaded) at cycle gear (and probably other motorcycle shops) in 5 gal cans, as well as unleaded 100. 6 bucks/gal sure sucks though.

 

MTBE? Sorry just never heard of it..

 

Damn, I still filled up my tank with 5 gallons of 101 octane from a local station. Hope it's real 101, since my car doesn't run well with regular 91 octane.

 

It's quite common practice for fuel stations when they run out of a specific grade just to fill up with what they have available


From http://www.epa.gov/mtbe/gas.htm:

"What is MTBE?

MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) is a chemical compound that is manufactured by the chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene. MTBE is produced in very large quantities (over 200,000 barrels per day in the U.S. in 1999) and is almost exclusively used as a fuel additive in motor gasoline. It is one of a group of chemicals commonly known as "oxygenates" because they raise the oxygen content of gasoline. At room temperature, MTBE is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid that dissolves rather easily in water."

So basically it increases the octane rating while supposedly reducing smog.

Places that have been using it (mind you under federal mandate) have been noticing that it is contaminating the ground water.

 

What additive do the European countries use as I hear they have 97 octane available at the pump?

 

revhappy: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ane#post472677

 

Thanks, I didn't realize they list their grades of gasoline in RON. I stil wonder what additive they use over there (the only ones I know of are MTBE and ethanol).