Reformulated gasoline

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

FYI.... last year around this time, we started a discussion about
reformulated gas and its impact on fuel economy. Perhaps this will help shed
some light (for this year's discussion?) :-)
  	  				 
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   LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 1996--Cars using reformulated  
gasoline (RFG) experienced only a slight decrease of under two percent 
in fuel economy and no fuel-related engine fires were reported among 
car owners surveyed by the Automobile Club of Southern California. 
   The Auto Club launched the survey in early September to monitor  
motorists' experiences and in response to rising member concerns and 
media reports regarding RFG's presumed effect on fuel economy. 
   "We found that car owners who monitor their fuel economy experienced  
virtually no change following the introduction of RFG earlier this 
year.  This result is comparable to state and industry expectations 
of a one to three percent decrease in fuel economy due to RFG which 
is expected to reduce overall emissions statewide by about 15 percent," 
said Steven D. Mazor, principal automotive engineer. 
   Introduced in early 1996, RFG was developed as part of the  
California Air Resources Board (CARB) program to reduce emissions 
produced by motor vehicles. 
   Citing an example, Mazor noted, "A typical vehicle has a 15-gallon  
fuel tank and a range of about 360 miles.  RFG reduces that amount by 
only seven miles. 
   "We also saw that vehicles 20 years or older had more fuel leaks  
reported than newer vehicles," added Mazor.  "This is not surprising 
since the fuel system parts are older and possibly more deteriorated. 
   "Since there is no specific prior data that compares the durability  
of these parts to those of newer vehicles in relation to fuel leaks, 
the Auto Club is going to study the matter further by inspecting some 
of these older vehicles to see firsthand the nature of the reported 
leaks," said Mazor. 
   "The Auto Club conducted this survey to learn some perceptions and  
facts about RFG, and when the survey was announced, we promised to share 
the results publicly and with appropriate state agencies," Mazor said. 
   To provide a statistically valid and random sampling, 10,000 Auto  
Club members throughout Southern California were selected since they 
represent a broad base of motorists.  About 2,000 completed surveys 
have been analyzed.  The two-page questionnaire sought information 
regarding changes in fuel economy and engine performance on the 
members' personal vehicles. 
   The Auto Club has been monitoring the performance of the new fuel  
since it was developed.  The survey follows an Auto Club test of 
three vehicles last spring to see how they would perform using RFG. 
The cars were tested for cold starts, fuel economy, acceleration, 
driveability, engine smoothness and noise. 
   This test, which was reported in the Club's May/June issue of its  
member magazine, Avenues, showed there were no significant performance 
differences between cars using standard gas and those using reformulated 
gasoline.  Also, emissions reductions were on par with the research 
findings of CARB. 
   The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate  
of the American Automobile Association, has been serving members 
since 1900. 
   Today, the Auto Club's 4.3 million members benefit by the  
organization's emergency road service, public safety programs, travel 
planning, highway and transportation safety programs, automotive 
pricing, buying and financing programs, automobile and homeowners 
insurance and legislative advocacy. 
  	   	

                             Jim Griffin
                      JGriff@pobox.com
                        Maryland, USA
"Perception is often stronger than reality!"
                               '92 100S
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