RE: "octane myth"

[Mark Blum <HobbesCT@ix.netcom.com>]

>This is a copy of a AAA article  printed without permission:
>US motorists waste about $1.7 billion a year buying premium gasoline that
>their vehicles don't need, AAA said last week. Typically, exotic
>automobiles, some sport-utility vehicles and cars with high-performance
>engines -- less than 10% of the vehicles on the road -- are among those
>that require the high-octane fuel.  Yet, many consumers fall for the
>"octane myth," mistakenly believing that the premium gasoline provides
>better performance and a cleaner burn, the AAA said.
>No need to say anymore!!!!!!!
>Avi Meron
>86 5K cstq
>still using "low octane" fuel till the day of the chip conversion.

On this weeks Motor Week TV, they explained why using a higher octane is 
unnecessary.  All modern cars have an onboard computer and it is 
specifically programmed to work with the octane recommended by the 
manufacturer.  When a different octane is used, the computer cannot adjust 
its strategy, so there is no benefit.  The same is true for cars 
recommending a higher octane.  Basically, you should only use the octane 
recommended by the car's manufacturer.  Seems to make sense.

Mark Blum