Re: Possibly the last word on octane levels for outboards.
All,<br /><br />There are, at last count, eighteen different blends of "regular" unleaded gasoline utilized in this country. All eighteen of those are mandated by regional, federal and/or state governments.<br /><br />Arizona is a perfect example. Phoenix metro uses a different blend than outstate and is sold for an average of $.15/gallon more than outstate gasoline.<br /><br />That, in itself, is the reason for much of the distribution issues and high prices. Another growing issue is that our refinery system is stretched to bursting. We have not built a new refinery, in this country, in over fifteen years. All due to environmental issues and NIMBY's (not in my backyard syndrome).<br /><br /><br />There is NO shortage of crude. <br /><br />I realize this does not address the "octane" issue yet it does help explain why one cannot put all gasolines into the same comparison group.