Is there a way to measure gasoline purity / quality?

gr8000 · 01-30-2009, 02:06 AM

Quality differs from gas station to gas station (even of the same brand). I was wondering if there is an easy way to measure quality eg by means of a portable device or a paper sample changing colors or whatever.

By quality I mean (i) octane content, (ii) impurities (ppm), (iii) sulphur content, and (iv) water content. For the last I know there is an easy way to check, but for the others?

We pay more for "premium" gasoline, but how do we know if it really is premium, or which gas station really sells premium in reality?

spyderco10 · 01-30-2009, 02:15 AM

I usually go by smell

kbk_75 · 01-30-2009, 01:04 PM

This is something I have often wondered. In India most petrol is adulterated. We pay an ENORMOUS premium for high octane fuel (around 33% more per litre). I've often wondered whether even this premium fuel is adulterated and how I'd be able to tell. Sadly there is exactly ONE petrol company that sells 97 Octane (RON) so it's not like I have any choice in the matter. It would be good to know though.

vm · 01-30-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8000

Quality differs from gas station to gas station (even of the same brand). I was wondering if there is an easy way to measure quality eg by means of a portable device or a paper sample changing colors or whatever.

By quality I mean (i) octane content, (ii) impurities (ppm), (iii) sulphur content, and (iv) water content. For the last I know there is an easy way to check, but for the others?

We pay more for "premium" gasoline, but how do we know if it really is premium, or which gas station really sells premium in reality?

No, there is not. The octane requires a machine that resembles a small engine and the impurities and sulfur require standard chemical analysis. If quality if differing between gas stations of the same brand then the gas station owner might be doing some mixing on his own.

nkweisberg · 01-30-2009, 02:46 PM

check this out:

http://www.toptiergas.com/

found it referenced in one of the car mags a few years back. These retailers are typically a few cents more per gallon but for the M I think its worth it...

thai357sig · 01-30-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderco10

I usually go by smell

NOPE!

Everyone knows that Taste is by far the mose accurate. I think somewhere on the order of ppb(parts ber billion).

Seriously, I don't think there is anything portable or at least easily portable and affordable for a pedestrian to test on his own.

MomoM3 · 01-30-2009, 04:14 PM

is there a gas brand that advertises 0% ethanol?

vm · 01-30-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MosesDKE

is there a gas brand that advertises 0% ethanol?

There is none because ethanol is mandated by the government.

gr8000 · 01-31-2009, 12:39 PM

What about this one: http://www.shatox.com/octanemeter.html

Seems it can do the job (on octane content, and purity) but don't know how affordable it is for "home use". Anyway, I inquired pricing...

Heat00 · 01-31-2009, 04:19 PM

I usually go by taste lmao

01-30-2009, 02:06 AM	#1
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Is there a way to measure gasoline purity / quality? Quality differs from gas station to gas station (even of the same brand). I was wondering if there is an easy way to measure quality eg by means of a portable device or a paper sample changing colors or whatever. By quality I mean (i) octane content, (ii) impurities (ppm), (iii) sulphur content, and (iv) water content. For the last I know there is an easy way to check, but for the others? We pay more for "premium" gasoline, but how do we know if it really is premium, or which gas station really sells premium in reality?
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01-30-2009, 02:15 AM	#2
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	I usually go by smell __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
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01-30-2009, 01:04 PM	#3
kbk_75 Lieutenant 24 Rep 404 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bombay, India iTrader: (0)	This is something I have often wondered. In India most petrol is adulterated. We pay an ENORMOUS premium for high octane fuel (around 33% more per litre). I've often wondered whether even this premium fuel is adulterated and how I'd be able to tell. Sadly there is exactly ONE petrol company that sells 97 Octane (RON) so it's not like I have any choice in the matter. It would be good to know though.
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01-30-2009, 02:46 PM	#5
nkweisberg Private 16 Rep 72 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Le Mans Blue / Bamboo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South-East Florida iTrader: (1)	check this out: http://www.toptiergas.com/ found it referenced in one of the car mags a few years back. These retailers are typically a few cents more per gallon but for the M I think its worth it...
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01-30-2009, 04:14 PM	#7
MomoM3 Major 988 Rep 1,418 Posts Drives: X7 M50i \| M2 CS \| X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley PA iTrader: (3)	is there a gas brand that advertises 0% ethanol?
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01-31-2009, 12:39 PM	#9
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	What about this one: http://www.shatox.com/octanemeter.html Seems it can do the job (on octane content, and purity) but don't know how affordable it is for "home use". Anyway, I inquired pricing...
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01-31-2009, 04:19 PM	#10
Heat00 Major 51 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Weston, Florida iTrader: (0)	I usually go by taste lmao __________________ 08 - M3 Sparkling Graphite/blk leather/tech/6 speed 08 - 335i Sport/Prem/Auto White/Terra - AA Exhaust 07 Acura MDX Tech, 07 G35S /Nav
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