GASOLINE PROPERTIES AFFECTING FUEL ECONOMY

This paper discusses gasoline properties which affect fuel economy. It deals with (1) the available energy in the fuel as related to fuel composition and (2) the chemical and physical characteristics of the fuel as they affect the conversion of this energy into work. It shows that (1) the energy contents of commercial gasolines falls within a narrow range, (2) increasing octane number of the gasoline will not necessarily increase gasoline economy, (3) volatility is important to obtaining good mileage, and (4) gasoline must be kept free of contaminants.