Does High Octane GAS Make Your Engine Run Too HOT?

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

✅CLICK HERE FOR AN ETHANOL TESTER ➜ amzn.to/48ZHIXX ✅CLICK HERE FOR THE GAS CAN ➜ amzn.to/4hYDFiD ✅CLICK HERE FOR A THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA ➜ amzn.to/410dBxn 👉TEST ETHANOL WITH BEER BOTTLE VIDEO ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/q323oHWnfMR5bK8 For more videos like this, check out: 👉How to Adjust or Tune the Carburetor on a Leaf Blower ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoizhoyAnqtpga8 👉CORRECT WAY To Tune The Carburetor On A Chainsaw ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2e3Zn2lfL2Wfrs 👉How To Adjust Or Tune The Carburetor On A Weedeater ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ7LqYesfLeneck You can connect with Steve here too: ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/ ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon ✅Follow Steve on TIKTOK ➜ www.tiktok.com/@stevessmallenginesaloon

[@jimmyhoffa7935]

The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Steve-O & out

[@Bull3tBikes]

Hi steve I checked out that link for the oil can but noticed it pulls up a different kind than seen in the video, any idea where I can find that one? Thanks

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

Steve, I have over the past 5 years now run NON- ethanol fuel (90 octane here in Pennsylvania USA), in my saws, mowers, weed hackers, pressure washers,and small generators.Its a little more per gallon than 10% ethanol, ($.75 to $.90 cents). Reason being,.. when they sit stagnant for a time,( 6 months or so) they ALWAYS start after a couple of pulls, AND... I ain't rebuilding the carburetor any more, from the moisture build up , corrosion in the jetting. won't ever use ethanol gas anymore, it just looses it's.....'potency'? It's worth the price for me. Thanks for the video and explanation of BTU's with different Octane levels.

[@chuckt4465]

Same here! 100%

[@shadowopsairman1583]

It's the detergents in the fuel today that remains and gums them up

[@WarpedSpeed]

the increase in octane slows the burn rate down, this was to prevent pre-ignition and knock/detonation/pinging. This allowed higher compression and this is what increased the horsepower.

[@tomnekuda3818]

Agreed....from my experience pushing drag and towing engines, the only time you get out of control excessive heating is if you advance to a point that you get the preignition/detonation .....lower octane, reduce timing....higher octane, advance timing to get the perfect burn. Compression, too, plays a very significant role.....high compression, run high octane....low compression will tolerate lower octane fuel. All these factors play together in harmony.

[@terenceiutzi4003]

WRONG increased octain retards the flame front absorbing heat and turning it into explosive force cooling thr engine!

[@terenceiutzi4003]

​ @tomnekuda3818 And higher octain retards the flae front cooling the engine!

[@outinthesticks1035]

What I was told was they burn at the same temp , but then when high octane is used in a high compression engine then combustion temps will increase. But due to increased compression, not octane

[@terenceiutzi4003]

@outinthesticks1035 Octain has to absorb more heat to ignite it then it explodes, giving more force on the piston and less heat. E95 HAS 180 octain. You can not burn E95 in an engine with less than 8 to 1 compression. When I burnt E95 in my 12 to 1 compression Air cooled Triumph it ran so cool that you could put your hands on the cylinder heads and not burn them!

[@robertcheslock9636]

When I first got a lawn tractor (8 years ago) I put fuel stabilizer in the tank full of gas (10% ethanol) for the winter. When I brought it out in the spring for the first cut it coughed and sputtered. Drained the fuel out and found water. Mower was outside but covered. Once I got it running I used only ethanol free gas. The following winter it again sat covered with ethanol free gas and no stabilizer. Started and run fine that next spring. Since then I use only ethanol free gas and never add a fuel stabilizer. I have never had a problem with water or running since then. Same with all of my 2 and 4 cycle engines. Haven't touched a fuel system on any of them. As for ethanol free gas going bad, they can set for years and still run perfectly. Great video nice to see you try to teach an old ? the truth.

[@jimbrewer2893]

@@AdamA-pm3yn Ethanol pulls in water. It doesn't turn to water.

[@dj-kq4fz]

I know it's not even Thanksgiving here in the US, but I'm enjoying a Christmas Ale and watching my favorite Canadian. Thanks Steve!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Cheers to that!

[@joehopkins515]

Steve: My local lawn mower shop says I shouldn't burn any gas in these small engines that has ethanol in it. They said they see many, many repairs come through their shop that were caused by ethanol. I also have vintage cars and I have had to replace fuel pumps because the ethanol ate the diaphragms. We call that gas, "Deathanol." Love your videos.

[@mowmastermitch6899]

Old fuel systems can be "upgraded" for handle ethanol. Fortunately for me there is a gas station near me that still has non ethanol regular. I run that in my old vehicle and small engines

[@ripperace]

I’d harp on it to my customers being that I was a marine mechanic. Ethanol is a water magnet along with being corrosive. It wasn’t conducive using ethanol enhanced fuels in docked boats. Terrible!

[@controversialrebel5639]

Hi Steve, I always love your videos, a straight talker that tells it the way it is 😀

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@dannymccarty6680]

Steve is a space age mechanic! 🤓👍👍👍

[@dougr3715]

I run non ethanol in my small engines, available in premium grade in in only a couple of brands. I run a coupl of gallons in my truck first to drain the hose before I fill the gas can. Thanks for the video!

[@karlschwab6437]

I don't recall ever seeing a green gas can here in my Michigan stores and in my travels. Thanks for this video and links.

[@mikekyle-y8i]

Several years ago I switched all my 2 and 4 cycle motors to 90 ethanol free. Now it is 89 ethanol free. After switching, never had another fuel line problem or starting issue. Interesting video. I love seeing myths getting debunked.

[@inspectahtech]

He's what I found doing my own real world test using an old weedeater brand weed trimmer, I tore down removed all carbon build up on piston, ran 87 for 3 months checked how much carbon build up there was,did the same with 94 and the difference was unbelievable, as well as performance, easier start up from cold start, better idle, cheers!

[@rickwhite3112]

I worked in a major oil refinery blending section over 30 yrs in northern California. We blended 3 flavors of gasoline 87, 89 and 91 octane. Higher octane gives you better power in higher elevations and in bigger engines. 90+ octane has almost a negligible difference in smaller engines. 90+ octane is a waste of money in 4 cylinder cars. Octane is an average measurement of two tested fuels… **see below. Engines don’t run hotter or colder with higher or lower octane. It’s the fuel additives that keep the engine valves/rings clean from carbon build up that decrease power output. Better to buy Top Tier gas with included additives than Mom and Pop gas without the additives. M&P gas is usually 20-15 cents per gallon cheaper and over 10+ yrs will allow a car’s cylinder walls/rings to wear at a faster rate… thus losing HP over time compared to Top Tier gasolines costing a bit more. You can buy a pint of $12 additive at Walmart, CVS, gas station mini marts and add to a fillip every 3-4 tankfuls, but it’s better to just get those additives in Top Tier gas at the pump on every fillip. **BTW… measured octane is a ratio average of government certified golden fuel (Research or R) plus the refinery tail line blending fuel (Method or M) going to the mother tank on the same pipe divided by 2. Both test engines run side by side with one being injected from a cistern full of on site golden fuel while the other engine runs on a slip stream off the blend station booster pump line going to tankage. The two octanes are added together and divided by 2 to give an average octane number at the gas station pump. Thus you see R +M over 2 on every pump sticker. Hope this helps understand a bit more about octane.

[@jplarrabee4672]

Great video, Steve! I have always run premium in my small engines, and non ethanol in recent years. They always start and run. Less problems, especially with the carbs it seems.

[@trcass1]

Great segment Steve. I had never really thought of it but then i thought the high octane would have burned hotter. good to put that rumor and misconception to rest. thanks for sharing.

[@philipvallee9969]

Thanks Steve , I choose to use premium fuel in all my motors they run good and have virtually no carberator " maintenance " from year to year .

[@GlenMunro-t2f]

For years was advised to only use premium gas in small engines, less ethanol and a rep. I spoke to from Stihl with regard to 4 cycle engines showed a research report the it burned cleaner, less pollution.

[@comlbbeau]

I run strictly non-ethanol fuel in my blower, chain saw, weedeater, Polaris Ranger, portable generator, etc. You get the idea, and the non-ethanol fuel in my neck of the woods is 90 octane. Octane rating pertains only to the point at which the fuel ignites under compression, from what I understand. Old wive's tales die hard.

[@kenbrown2808]

if it's like a lot of old wives tales, it's based on a complete misunderstanding of the original version - which was probably 50 years ago, people saying "don't waste money on premium gas for your small engine, because it doesn't make it run any better."

[@drmrcharliestat]

Burning non external in 2009 Exterra 2010 frontier gets 4 miles a gallon more over 300,000 each. All small engines generator, X 300 Kawasaki 900+ hr. Good luck out there ✅⚓️⚓️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@daleholmes4355]

No idea what you were trying to say​@@drmrcharliestat

[@craighellberg4366]

Do you buy the pre-mixed Ethanol free fuel? If so, what brand do you use? I’ve been told to stay away from Truefuel.

[@craighellberg4366]

Do you use the pre-mixed ethanol free fuel for two-stroke engines? If so, what brand do you use? I have been told to stay away from Truefuel.

[@maleficus6186]

Here in Australia, 91 is our low octane fuel and all mowers and string trimmers run on it with no issues. 98 on the other hand will make motors ping and go boom.

[@illiniwood]

Low and behold, I was wondering about this two days ago! Steve, you must have read my mind all the way from Chicago.

[@tadeuszmichaelwlodarczyk3120]

THANKS Steve for you experiments💯✔️. From Melbourne AUSTRALIA 👍🤠

[@brianstankavage1595]

Thanks Steve happy Holidays from Pennsylvania 👍

[@fitzyholden1036]

My good old US made briggs in my mower has always run on 98. I change its oil once a year, its 26 years old, and still running strong and starts first pull every time. The only other maintenance its had is new plugs and filters. Never even had to touch the carby.

[@corey6393]

Where are you buying 98 octane fuel, the airport?

[@fitzyholden1036]

@@corey6393 Its available everywhere in Australia.

[@philthycoder]

​@@fitzyholden1036you sure that's not 89 instead of 98? 98 octane gas would be absurd to use in a low compression single or dual cylinder small engine

[@fitzyholden1036]

@@philthycoder In Australia we have 91, 95, and 98 to choose from.

[@mikefrerichs8860]

@@philthycoder Australia and the U.S.A. measure octane differently. Australia uses the Research Octane Number (RON) to measure octane. The U.S.A. uses the Anti-Knock Index (AKI) to measure octane. 98 RON is approximately equivalent to 93 AKI.

[@MillardNorton-o4h]

I love watching your videos. Very knowledgeable. I always tell my customers to never use 87 octane in power equipment. Also I have seen a higher ethanol percentage in low octane gases.

[@gharv1313]

Thanks for the video SteveO, definitely the complete opposite of what you would guess😂. Another myth debunked by the legend! Awesome job 👏 hope you and April have a wonderful weekend! Cheers brother 🍻🥂

[@bigmoustacheal3295]

Hey Steve! BMA here from Saskabush. Just lettin you know that I just subscribed! I'm gonna do my best to cover all your videos. Especially the chainsaw and small engine ones. Keep them coming!!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you here!

[@UhBuddy1976]

You make great videos my Canadian neighbor! I am from the southeastern United States. Believe it or not, where I am at, 87 is the lowest and 93 is the highest in octane rating. Fortunately, we have some gas stations in our area that also have a pump or two per station to sell non-ethanol fuel, which is what I use in my small equipment. Thank you for converting temperatures to Fahrenheit. Believe me, I am a fan of many things metric, especially when it comes to tools. However, when it comes to measurements like gallons, and pounds, I have a hard time with kilos. The one thing I wish the US would adopt or had adopted in the past is kilometers instead of miles. To me a mile is too long of a measurement and a kilometer.p would be much easier to estimate.

[@jeffburtonnottheracecardriver]

I recall some engine mfrs. warning against ethanol fuels and others recommending high octane fuel but not requiring it. Many now are using gaskets, seals, diaphragms etc. unaffected by ethanol fuels and won't knock (undetectably) with 87octane, since it is the most prevalent fuel.

[@20bluebug]

Thanks for doing this... I often wondered if it really was a big difference. I was always told that high octane fuel burns a bit slower, slow enough that trace amounts may still be burning as it passes the exhaust valve, causing the valve to run hotter.

[@Bull3tBikes]

Ive always been taught to use minimum 89 octane in 2 strokes because when 2 stroke oil is diluted in gasoline it can actually lower the octane rating.

[@staatsfiend]

The benefits of using full methanol isnt achieved until the compression ratio is raised to competition levels.and they will burn cooler.

[@kenbrown2808]

if you're using a beer bottle as a tester be sure to empty all the ethanol out of it before the test. you know, so you get an accurate measurement. cheers.

[@thehighlife1320]

I would suggest this if you premix the fuel yourself; premium during the summer, regular during winter. If you buy premixed fuel, always go for the quality stuff.

[@truckermike99]

The retired head of the local Exmark service department told me to run 89 octane in the straight gas for my mowers but to run the 91 or 93 octane in all my mixed fuel. He stated that the oil lowered the octane slightly.

[@michaelhelfrich7146]

Excellent work on your videos sir.Very grateful. Have safe Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

[@kzoll3546]

Could you address the issue of regular gas in a lawnmower versus ethanol gas in a lawnmower? And which one is wiser to use or the course of a lifetime with a lawnmower?

[@williamscoggin1509]

Texan here, glad I never heard that rumor. LOL I was always taught that a lawn mower leads a very hard life and you should help it all you can. High octane for a solid clean efficient burn..! 🫡🇺🇸

[@kevineich5029]

Thanks for the video. The octane rating indicates the fuel's ability to resist detonation. It has nothing to do with how hot it burns. The fuel that should be used in small engines that don't get used on a regular basis is rec. fuel which has no ethanol.

[@harry8506]

I have heard the same thing many times, it defies logic. Here in Australia we have 91, 93 (which is 10% ethanol, also called E10) 95 and 98, in my 2 strokes I always use 95 or 98 depending on availability, 91 is ok in 4 stroke lawn equipment, I never use E10, I found it rusts the tank and corrodes the alloy of the carburetor.

[@daflea66]

Some say higher octane burns slower but its probably very small numbers. It will initiate flame later in the rotation of the crank because it takes more energy to initiate and these machines dont adjust to that need. So its likely creating a though tiny overall inefficiency and also burning on the exhaust port side of the valve, exposing the valve stem to more heat. I just run what the engineers say in the manual. As for ethanol or high ration blends, you need to burn more fuel per charge Im not sure the combustion is going to much lower. The intake charge will be cooler though since the alcohol atomizes more

[@ralphwatten2426]

I had a built 283 chevy engine with 11.5 -1 compression. Ran 93 octane when I could get it and 91 most of the time. I mixed 91 with 100 low lead av gas to about 95 octane. The idle came up and it ran much cooler. Higher octane burns slower so it cools the piston top and valves. Higher octane burns cooler than low octane. Ethanol should help with temperatures in the engine if there's enough in there. When I was a wee lad regular gas was 95 octane and premium was 97 or even 98 at some stations. Most cars in the late 50's and into the 60's had high compression engines.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

It's not as volatile as 87 is

[@popswrench2]

early to mid 80s , i was chewed for replacing points/condensor with B&S new magnatrons . then later , our "spring services" were shorter times and charging same money ... due to magnatron ... bosses get short sighted too often ... run GOOD fuel , services are shorter , charge posted rates ...OR , fuel system repairs needed and now CLEANER for hi octane , higher detergent fuel shortening repair time and charging posted individual (flate rate sort of) service rate , jussayin' , even if all equal , able to move more machines /day easier ....

[@THACOLLECTA]

keep the videos coming really enjoying them. maybe another 30 days of questions?

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Good video Steve. Always like a good myth busting! I was just thinking, a bit of grass or a small nest would also make it run hotter.

[@liljoeii6091]

Very interesting my 3° won't matter to me will cheers to you Steve Happy Thanksgiving thank you for the video

[@georgelackey622]

This can be taken a bit further, I have a 2 stroke bike and have found other differences. What about power? Or fuel economy? Thanks Steve, another informative one!

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

From what I remember higher octane is more resistant to preignition. Has nothing to do with burning hotter or colder. But, been a long time since trade school, and many beers since..

[@TheReal1953]

Before non-ethanol gas in the '70s and early '80s, when I was still loggin, people 'in the know', (let's say people who should have known better), said the same thing about premium in our saws.....runs too hot. Despite that, I ran it a lot for the quality, and it seemed to perform better, but then on high altitude jobs it was a waste of money. I'm glad we finally see some evidence on this myth.

[@kenleppek]

I just started that Topdon stuff at work. They seem to have a really decent line up of diagnostic tools.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad to hear!

[@user-JamesLacy]

I heard the the same thing. Thanks for clearing that up. James out.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad I could help

[@kevchard5214]

Great video Steve I actually learned something. Thanks

[@Maxid1]

When I was a boy, you could get Sunoco 260 at 102 octane. The clean air act in the 70s got rid of that, because it had lead in it.

[@steveweatherly1965]

Here in Australia 91, 95 and 98 available, I've tried 95 in a brand new mower and it didn't like it so I went back to 91 and no problems. Most petrol engines here on the fuel cap states only use 91 your fuel mixes are a bit different to ours I think. I do stand to be corrected if I'm wrong thou

[@sapelesteve]

Excellent video and I totally agree with your assessment Steve! Have a great Turkey Day!👍👍

[@thomasphilhower1400]

Very interesting. Here in Wisconsin we can get non ethanol in Premium grade. Small engine gurus here say non ethanol is easier on the rubber parts and shelf life is a little longer

[@-2a-2a]

It's definitely better on hoses and gaskets. I had some hoses that leaked real quick. Switched to ethanol free and they last much longer. I put stabil in my gas in hopes it last longer. I do think there is some truth to life being longer do the ethanol separation and water getting in gas ect. But don't hold me to that. I think Chickanic is a fan of ethanol shield if you use normal gas. I haven't tried it but if I couldn't get ethanol free I would probably try that product. But for now I will just pay a bit more for the little gas I use for my power equipment. If I had a yard service I would probably change my mind.

[@bobbyb322]

It's called "Talking Point" where by a sales person can sound intelligent and gain a customers confidence.

[@stevez340]

If he told his customers the truth, they would run ethanol free gas instead of 87 octane. Their equipment would run cleaner, break down less, and most importantly, he would lose a lot of business👍

[@bobbyb322]

@@stevez340 True to that

[@mvblitzyo]

Wahooo super glad your doing these awesome videos ! Thanks for so many great videos Joe from California

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad you're enjoying them!

[@markschoenhals4816]

Another good one young man thanks

[@Herbybandit]

I only ever run the lowest ethanol fuel I can get, which here in UK is E5 premium "performance" petrol. I think it only makes a difference when you try and replace automotive petrol wit aviation petrol, which I think is 110 octane.

[@MuhaloTube]

Good video, thanks! Would be nice to see the temperature comparison with 10% vs 0% ethanol. You could show separating the fuel too by pouring off the water/ethanol mix.

[@michellatour150]

Keep in mind removing the ethanol significantly lowers the octane of the remaining 'pure' gas.

[@whitetiger8652]

Great informative video, thanks Steve.

[@RobAmann]

excellent content its not how hot but how fast it burns

[@corey6393]

Higher octane fuel will help the engine run slightly cooler if you can adjust the timing for it, which you can't on a standard lawn mower engine. Ethanol has less energy, but also burns a little cooler. Non ethanol premium fuel is best for two stroke engines. It is best for four stroke engines that tend to sit around unused for longer periods. Ethanol blended fuel (up to 10%) works fine in small four strokes if the fuel is used up regularly, and not allowed to sit in the tank and carb for more than 4-6 weeks.

[@treytaylor7553]

Great video Steve! I’ve always been curious about the temps of different fuel grades.

[@sylvalvalsyl3904]

I from Québec and i love all ur vies tanks d'or all ur tip

[@pyrog.c.c89]

Good info thanks buddy 🇺🇲

[@deadwolfresistance13]

So, the higher octane maby has a trace more energy at 3° hotter?? Not enough to make any difference looks like. Also does the 90 + Oct. Store better like I have been told? I have kept with Non ethanol 91 octane for 22 years for all my small engines . That has worked well for me. Thanks for your excellent instruction 💯👍

[@johnw1178]

Great video. I’ve heard the wives tail but was never a believer. You have proved it and this is great information. I have always bought 93 octane and use Sta-Bil as the octane decreases with age or as least what I have read. Steve thank you for another informative video and I will look forward to seeing your next video. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@birdmandave]

Awesome video Steve. Thanks

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍. Thank you Steve

[@172sbct]

Regarding exercising equipment during winter. I only have an unheated detached garage. Can I keep my battery connected to my riding mower during winter if I run it once a month or do I need to bring the battery inside to warmer temperatures and take it out to the mower every month? I live in Pennsylvania. Thanks.

[@jimf1964]

Use a beer bottle to test gas!?!? I hope you’re not implying I should waste a beer!😂😂

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

Hey Steve, do I still need to stabilize non ethanol fuel during winter storage? Thanks!

[@Rob-BC]

I use full synthetic oils in all of my engines (car, mower, snowblower, 2 strokes), and use ethanol-free from the marina. No heat, or fuel problems ever.

[@BeatenRustBuckets]

Higher octane just means a higher flash point ...nothing more. On my engine with 114 vs the regular 91, I can add 2 deg of timing and lower the idle by 220 rpm, this also drops the temp by 18 deg BUT that is because it idles lower NOT because it burns noticeable cooler as you have pointed out Steve.... Well done Peace

[@gilbertfagley7837]

I run Prem non-ethanol gas in my small engines and most of my problems have gone away. I live in western mass (can't get non-ethanol gas from a pump in the state ) so I drive to NY state to get it (20 min drive from home). pump a couple a gal of gas into my truck (got to clear the gas from the gas pump hose) and then fill a two gal gas can (only buy the gas that you can use in a month or two). I'm also a vol fire fighter. we have been getting 100 octane gas from the local airport for our small engines and our problems have gone away. We had one small engine on a pump on our tanker that we had to re-build multiple times a year because of the ethanol fuel. Haven't had a problem since with gas from the airport. The gas sits around for a year or more in the small engines as they would only be ran for a minute or two every week until they got ran on a call and then that would be a long run time.

[@craighellberg4366]

Hi Steve, Do you use the premixed ethanol free fuel for your two-stroke engines? If so, what brand do you use? I have been told to stay away from Truefuel. Thank you for your time.

[@loodusefilm7881]

You should make celsius version of this video! Btw, ethanol flame is so low temperature that i can be hard to see.

[@drewmcvicker1445]

Great content Steve!!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@64t120r]

I'm digging that camera. I would like to get one eventually. After everything else I need to get.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on

[@st7650]

Great video Steve I would say he was just trying to sale equipment. Would like to see a review on the chain locker it’s the handiest thing not to many reviews on it thanks for the video have a drink on me

[@brettlyde9220]

My local airport has has 100 LL and you can go in and used your debit card and put gas in a jug nobody's there at night I put it in my riding mowers the lids good for the valves I wonder if you can get ahold of some of that gas and perform the test again

[@Ty.1on]

Steve , thank you for the video I will watch it now.

[@ranckie5055]

The biggest misconception that people have about high-octane gasoline is, if the octane number is higher, then it must run hotter in an engine when exactly the opposite is true. High octane fuel is intentionally made less explosive to run in high compression engines. Continued use of lower octane fuel in most of high compression engines would eventually cause damage due to excessive pinging, or knocking, (more explosive). Lower octane fuel is actually more explosive than the higher-octane fuel, but sadly the myth continues.

[@citrus1973]

Thank you Steve.

[@donald4416]

Hi to everyone yeah Steve's right in his chat to everyone but please in the winter time of small engines with snow throwers, or you smaller tractor pushing snow, Don't put "Heet" in fuel tank All it's going to do is eat the small rubber gaskets to like shriveled prune and ruin them, then you going wonder why later you got problems with carbs, just run 89 to 90 octane pump fuel and all be fine, or run half tank fuel till it runs out fuel and you better off without messing up carb, with fuel sitting in it at 1/4 tank for long period of time gumming it up.

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Steve. Love the camera. Could never justify one, but that shouldn't matter - right?

[@kenbrown2808]

the air temperature and how tall your grass is will make a bigger difference in the operating temperature.

[@Nudnik1]

High octane fuel burns slower in flame front allowing higher compression ratio before pre-ignition knock occurs .

[@Leonardokite]

Wow, it's hard to believe anybody would think that but there you go. Now it's been proved.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

I buy the 93 for all my small engines bc a local company has non-ethanol 93 for sale. Is avoiding the ethanol worth the cost of the extra octane?

[@rubenjimenez3873]

Which is cleaner though ?

[@ek8137]

High octane gas is good if you're making your own ethanol free. I saw tests that show removing the combined alcohol+water will reduce the octane by a few points.

[@andersjeppsson2456]

Have a nice weekend.

[@k.d.8924]

so is there any benefit from running higher octane?

[@kennethpipkin759]

Pretty cool thermal camera. Octane rating difference, though, is negligible (not enough to justify paying more for the same useless fuel)

[@robert.brokaw3829]

Informative content - enjoyed the video. Stay safe.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thanks, you too!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Steve, that was an Awesome video. Gonna have to give you a new nickname Mythbuster Steve!! LOL 😂

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@100vg]

Premium Premix 50:1 was recommended for my chainsaw, but I don't waste the money on Premium for my other small engine equipment because they are designed for 87 Octane. However, I do pay more for E0 Regular because E15 is the only thing available today in America these days. My 1995 car can handle E10, but not E15, and even E10 is bad for small engines, so I go with E0 for everything else. It's about 50 cents more per gallon, but I'm saving a LOT of needless repairs. Did the math... 443 °F for Premium is 1.0068182 tines hotter than 440 °F for Regular, or 0.68182% hotter. No worries there! You cleared than one up handily.

[@matthutch5919]

We have 98 octane in Australia. The "standard"/most common is 91. I don't think we have anything lower than 91. Another great video 💯👍

[@michellatour150]

Your 98 RON is equivalent to 93 R+M/2 and, the 91 equal to 87 here in north america. Different rating methods so not a direct comparative by 'numbers' alone.

[@matthutch5919]

@michellatour150 that makes sense 👍