06-21-2016, 11:36 AM
Yes, higher octane fuel equates to a cooler combustion chamber. Reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) have 2 high pressure events. High pressure equals high heat. Don't believe me - then touch the cylinder head of an electric air compressor after it's been running a few minutes. The 1st high pressure event is maximum pressure due to compression. This occurs a couple of degrees past top dead center (TDC) compression. The 2nd high pressure event happens about 17 to 21 degrees past TDC (spark ignited engines (gasoline)). The higher the octane, the slower the burn. The slower the burn, the farther away the 2nd high pressure event is from the 1st. The farther the 2 high pressure events are from each other, the lower the overall combustion chamber pressure, therefore temperature. This is an undisputed fact you learn from testing emissions from cars. Measure NOx (burnt air) from the same engine under the same conditions except octane. NOx is a by-product of heat. The higher the octane fuel, the lower the NOx.
Having said this, I agree with The Ferret. If high octane fuel was necessary, Honda would say so (but I still run the highest octane just for safe measure. Sacramento, CA if freaking hot in the summer + it doesn't hurt).
Bottom line - its all good. Whatever floats your boat. Good times.
Having said this, I agree with The Ferret. If high octane fuel was necessary, Honda would say so (but I still run the highest octane just for safe measure. Sacramento, CA if freaking hot in the summer + it doesn't hurt).
Bottom line - its all good. Whatever floats your boat. Good times.