2006 Fuel "Boutique" Map

[n0rt0npr0]

The 2006 Fuel "Boutique" map...
Looks like only Colorado has changed.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/FuelBoutique2006.th.gif (http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=FuelBoutique2006.gif)

"U.S. Gasoline Requirements"

[SVOboy]

I dunno what any of the stuff means besides ethanol and mtbe, :p, can you post a glossary or somepin?

[Matt Timion]

Does anyone know what all of these acronyms mean?

[Sludgy]

I know a few:

RVP = Reid Vapor Pressure A high reid vapor pressure helps starus in cold weather, but produces smog in summer.

RFG = Reformulated gasoline (for lower emissions)

[n0rt0npr0]

Federal Reformulated Gasoline: Also known as RFG. The 1990 Clean Air Act required the nation's most polluted metropolitan areas to sell a special blend of gasoline during summer months in order to reduce the emissions of ozone forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants. The regulations require specific fuel content levels for oxygen, benzene and aromatics and set performance standards for nitrogen oxides, VOCs and toxics. Requirements vary by region but generally terminals are required to sell RFG beginning May 1; retailers must sell RFG beginning June 1.

CBG = Clean Burning Gasoline

This link provides loads of info, including demand for gasoline PER month! (http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/Resource/PRToolkit/Campaigns/prtk_gp2006_Statistics.htm#Glossary)

[cfg83]

n0rt0npr0 -

This post led me to this thread :

http://www.gassavers.org/showpost.php?p=67380&postcount=11

According to the Exxon map, in the LA area I get "CA OXY CBG" gas. I can't find a good definition for this gas. I assume it is cleaner burning. How does it compare in terms of energy content? Am I getting a gas that is suited for "low mpg" or "high mpg"?

Thanks,

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

n0rt0npr0 -

Maybe this (partially?) answers my question :

Types of Motor Fuel Consumed in California:
http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/types_of_gasoline.html
Oxygenates: Alcohols and ethers which, when added to gasoline, increase the amount of oxygen in that gasoline blend. Common ethers in use as oxygenates include ETBE, MTBE and TAME. A common alcohol in use as an oxygenate is fuel ethanol.


CarloSW2

[ELF]

I live in the all BLUE state!@!!
I am surprised that Texas is still using MTBE.

[n0rt0npr0]

CarloSW2

Only exxon could get you an energy content value on that fuel. I've searched for hours and could not find anything on the net.

Actually, I've called Shell before, they seem like they are easier to get hold of, and I'd guess that they could answer that question to a point. They test all the other manufacturers fuels every 10 days or so.

I would guess, that the fuel is more suited to lower mpg tho.
~Will

[Bill in Houston]

Around here, in the very belly of the petrochemical industry, all the pumps say 10% ethanol. I don't think we actually get MTBE in our gas anymore.

CA OXY CBG is oxygenated with ethanol, so it will have a lower energy content, and has a higher vapor pressure than oxygas with MTBE, so it also produces more VOC emissions from storage and fueling operations...

[Telco]

Folks on the high performance board have reported seeing a 2-3MPG difference when travelling from CA to another state and back, when burning the other state's gasoline.

Botique fuels are another bane in my life, IMO we'd be better off with a single nationwide standard even if it were the cleanest possible blend. If there were just one supply issues would not be as bad and the manufacturers could better tune the vehicles since they would know there was only one fuel to deal with. The only differences should be 87, 89 and 93 octane for lower elevations and 84, 86 and 89 for higher elevations