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Article: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the editor)
- Article from:
- The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM)
- Article date:
- November 5, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 The Santa Fe New Mexican. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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IT'S ETHANOL THAT CAUSES POWER LOSS IN CARS
The Oct. 30 letter, "More octane please," perpetuates a myth about octane, but is right about ethanol. Many people think the higher the octane rating, the greater the power. Not true. Octane ratings refer to the anti-knock qualities of the gasoline. Higher compression engines need higher octane gasoline to prevent pinging or knocking that can damage the engine. Due to the thinner air at higher altitudes, lower-octane levels work because the manifold and cylinder pressures are reduced. The recommended 87 percent octane is for low-altitude driving and is not necessary at high altitudes like ours.
Lower gas ...