Kind of a dumb ? But how does the gov't or gas industry monitor or measure octane ?

Say at the pump it says 87,91,93 octane

Is there a Test engine or some tool to verify the octane they sell us???
I've heard of an engine that has a variable compression ratio with knock sensors on it ,that has a scale of octane predetermined on it

Does anybody Know ??????
Some of us who run snowmobiles in the backcountry would like to know?
Rich

 

There are two laboratory tests to measure octane which are run in a single-cylinder engine operated under different conditions: Research Octane Number (RON) and Motor octane number (MON). The octane number posted on gasoline dispensers in service stations is the Antiknock Index (AKI) - the average of RON and MON [(RON + MON)/2, usually abbreviated (R + M)/2.

Do you weant to know who actually tests the fuel you buy or how the fuel is actually tested?

The engine briefly described above can indeed run a different compression ratios. The head is moveable up and down and can be adjusted while the engine is running.

Testing is done by the manufacturer.

 

Yes, as Monsta said so well there is standard hardware.
In the old days the oil companies had road octane test programs as well. But most automakers (except for Porsche, BMW, Cadillac and a few other high-end cars) don't care much about premium anymore, as long as regular is 87.

It's controlled pretty well by the refinieries.
And states with "weights and measures" departments have monitoring programs (at the stations) to keep them honest.

More here under octane number:
http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuel...esting/pg5.asp

 

How the fuel is actually tested .Monsta

Hello! To the big Kahuna himself

Rich

 

Thanks to both of you !

Rich