Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9697654)
From what I read they reduce the octane ratings at the pumps at altitude too to prevent knocking, so its a double whammy. Maybe its just the US mountain states?
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Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 9696827)
Novo has an estate car. At least, the Elantra Touring looks like an estate car to the naked eye. I wouldn't be seen dead in one but my vehicle choices are not much influenced by practicality. Few peoples' are or we'd all be snoring along in Fusions, Camrys and Civics.
And as to your not being seen dead in it, firstly fine with me and secondly, a bit rich given your current choice of wheels. |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by carolyn_vdv
(Post 9697840)
I wish this was the case. I was using the regular fuel for our car, after about 6 months the knocking started thought it was the exhaust or something and took it in to the dealer. They said use the premium gas from a reputable gas station (not Safeway/Co-op which I had been using). I changed at 10c more a litre and after a brief respite the problem is worse than ever. I think the gas stations are mixing their blends:confused:
If the dealer is saying use higher octane is that because it should be on premium gas anyway and it wasnt? Modern engine management systems can adapt very quickly to variations in octane, but if its not designed to run on regular in the first place that would maybe explain. The only difference really in the non name brand gasoline is the detergent mix, in fact often the different companies take fuel from the same depot before adding their proprietary blend of additives. Its maybe possible that cheap gas may need injectors etc cleaned more often, but in terms of octane etc it will be the same base fuel as the premium brands. I can only recall putting something other than "crappy tire" gas in my Civic once since I got it new in 2008, so if it sludges up I will know who to blame. |
Re: What car to get
For what it's worth, we have a Dodge Journey which we love. It's comfy, quiet and roomy. It has the fold down seats 6 and 7 in the back. They're useful when people visit. It's true that when they're "up" the boot is pretty small - but then it's fine for day trips with the rellies.
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Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9697729)
No, you arent getting it, I guess I didnt phrase it very well. Regular on the coast is 87, but in Colorado its 85. Super on the coast is 93, but in Colorado its 91 etc. WRX owners moan that they cant get super premium 94octane in the mountains, its different, lower octane fuel delivered at the pumps.
Maybe this is US only, I dont know, but that's how its reported to be there, the gas companies sell reduced octane ratings to prevent pinging in part due to the lower oxygen content and in part due to the effect of the reduced air pressures at altitude altering the effective compression ratios. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_...nal_variations http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/high-a...de-octane.html edit - just noticed your wikipedia link. The fount of all Internet knowledge is right, of course ;) - there's a difference in absolute compression because you're starting from a lower pressure; but that still doesn't alter the ratio. There's just fewer molecules per litre of air. |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by Oakvillian
(Post 9698198)
It might have something to do with oxygen content per unit volume of air at amospheric pressure, but it can't have anything to do with compression ratios. It's a ratio, innit: you're compressing the same volume by the same amount (so for a 4-cylinder, 2litre engine with a 10:1 compression ratio, every compression stroke takes 500cc of fuel/air mix and compresses it to 50cc). That 500cc of fuel/air mix will be a richer mix at high altitude (same amount of fuel, less oxygen), which would explain why you might want a lower octane fuel; in old-fashioned engines you'd just wind the mixture screw on the carb back a bit and carry on.
edit - just noticed your wikipedia link. The fount of all Internet knowledge is right, of course ;) - there's a difference in absolute compression because you're starting from a lower pressure; but that still doesn't alter the ratio. There's just fewer molecules per litre of air. So, we can deduce the following table: Altitude. Percent pressure reduction. 1 km 12% 2 km 22% 3 km 31% I think that's high enough for most purposes. Of course the same percent reductions apply to the absolute O2 concentrations. |
Re: What car to get
I have a completely different attitude to car choice.
I value drive quality over economy. So yes, I will be paying over the odds for gas, insurance and parts, but I feel it's justified when you're on the road. I have no other vice's, so cars are my guilty pleasure, lol. I should mention that I do all the work on my cars, so I can buy cheap parts on the net and not have to fork out hundreds every time I need a spark plug ;-) When we move to Canada, I plan on having, for Ailsa, something small and sporty, or maybe an Impreza WRX, and for me, I will probably have a crew-cap pick-up, and some sort of project car on the go. I have a bmw 740i sport at the moment, so I'm getting used to the low mpg figures, lol. Worth it for the heated seats alone :D Wait and see, we'll end up having a honda Civic 1.4 or something between us :rofl: Hey, I'm still at the dreaming stage ;) |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by Dave n Ailsa
(Post 9698954)
Worth it for the heated seats alone :D
My car is so equipped and I don't have to drive everywhere at 15mph preening. |
Re: What car to get
Ummm, what does preening mean?
And you missed my point, I don't drive at 15mph, I have 300 horses and I'm not afraid to use them. How much do you spend on beer? I bet I spend less on petrol than the average bloke spends on memory loss alcohol. (I don't drink at all by the way, and stopped smoking three years ago. I'm positively well off, lol. My seats by the way, show us yours ;) http://www.carartz.com/other/740/11.jpg |
Re: What car to get
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Dave n Ailsa
(Post 9699029)
Ummm, what does preening mean?
Originally Posted by Dave n Ailsa
(Post 9699029)
And you missed my point, I don't drive at 15mph, I have 300 horses and I'm not afraid to use them. How much do you spend on beer?
Originally Posted by Dave n Ailsa
(Post 9699029)
I bet I spend less on petrol than the average bloke spends on memory loss alcohol. (I don't drink at all by the way, and stopped smoking three years ago.
I'm positively well off, lol. My seats by the way, show us yours ;) http://www.carartz.com/other/740/11.jpg |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 9699010)
My car is so equipped and I don't have to drive everywhere at 15mph preening.
The reason I want 40mpg isnt the economy, its the environment. I actually give a shit. |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9699166)
Mine too. Heated seat are rapidly become the norm for canadian spec vehicles. the heated wipers on the sube are good too.
The reason I want 40mph isnt the economy, its the environment. I actually give a shit. I assume that should be 40mpg, btw, even BMWs go at 40mph. |
Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 9699189)
I haven't tried heated wipers and don't imagine they'd address the problem of the blades being frozen to the shape of the windscreen at the parked position.
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Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 9699220)
Imagine again:thumbup:
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Re: What car to get
Originally Posted by dbd33
(Post 9699226)
Well then that seems like the sort of thing a man of sixty some years might like for Christmas.
Or were you thinking of someone else... Springless blade type winter wipers might be more practical... |
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