Eat Here and Get Gas

[jumbach]

So, at a couple of the gas stations we visited on our trip last week, I saw something that I didn't know existed: 85 octane gas

Comments

[cahwyguy]

Altitude? Different altitudes use different octanes.

[jumbach]

Well, that would make sense for Ely, which is 6,500 feet, but not for Elko, which is 5,066 feet. The gas station we use here in Reno is at 4,900, and it's 87/89/91.

Also, in Lake Tahoe, the choices are 87, 89, 91, and that's at roughly the same elevation as Ely.

So, it's a good theory and makes sense, but I don't think that elevation is why.

[researchguy]

Oh, my. And to think, I remember the days of 100 octane leaded gas.