Chapter 11

OBJECTIVES
After studying Chapter 11, the reader will be able to:
1. Describe how the proper grade of gasoline affects

engine performance.
2. List gasoline purchasing hints.
3. Discuss how volatility affects driveability.
4. Explain how oxygenated fuels can reduce CO
exhaust emissions.
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
various alternative fuels.
Automotive Engines: Theory and Servicing, 6/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.
By James D Halderman Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
AUTOMOTIVE FUEL REFINING
• As it comes out of the ground, petroleum

(meaning “rock oil”) crude can be as thin and
light colored as apple cider or as thick and
black as melted tar.
Processes
• Refining is a complex combination of
interdependent processing units, and it all
starts with the simple physical separation
process called distillation.
Distillation
• In the late 1800s, crude was separated into
different products by boiling.
– Distillation works because crude is composed of
hydrocarbons with a wide range of molecular
weights, and therefore a broad range of boiling
points.
Cracking
• Thermal cracking, was used to increase
gasoline production starting in 1913.
• It is the nature of thermal cracking to make a
lot of olefins, which have higher octane
numbers but may cause engine deposits.
• Eventually heat was supplemented by a
catalyst, transforming thermal cracking into
catalytic cracking.
Cracking
FIGURE 11-1 The

crude oil refining
process showing
most of the major
steps and
processes.
Shipping
• The gasoline is transported to regional
storage facilities by tank railway car or by
pipeline.
• In the pipeline method, all gasoline from
many refiners is often sent through the same
pipeline and can become mixed.
GASOLINE
• Gasoline is a term used to describe a

complex mixture of various hydrocarbons
refined from crude petroleum oil for use as a
fuel in spark-ignition engines.
– Most gasoline is “blended” to meet the needs of
the local climates and altitudes.
VOLATILITY
• Volatility describes how easily the gasoline

evaporates (forms a vapor).
VOLATILITY
Winter Blend
• Reid vapor pressure (RVP) is the pressure of the
vapor above the fuel when the fuel is at 100°F
(38°C).
– Increased vapor pressure permits the engine to start in
cold weather.
• Cold temperatures reduce the normal vaporization
of gasoline; therefore, winterblended gasoline is
specially formulated to vaporize at lower
temperatures for proper starting and driveability at
low ambient temperatures.
VOLATILITY
Summer Blend
• The volatility of summer-grade gasoline
should be about 7.0 PSI RVP.
• According to ASTM standards, the maximum
RVP should be 10.5 PSI for summer-blend
gasoline.
WHAT IS A CALIFORNIA GAS CAN?
FIGURE 11-2 A gas can that

meets the California
Resources Board (CARB)
approval uses a spring-loaded
sealed nozzle that eliminates
gasoline spillage and leaks
into the atmosphere.
VOLATILITY
Volatility Problems
• At higher temperatures, liquid gasoline can
easily vaporize, which can cause vapor
lock.
• If winter-blend gasoline (or high-RVP fuel) is
used in an engine during warm weather, the
following problems may occur:
1. Rough idle
2. Stalling
3. Hesitation on acceleration
4. Surging
VOLATILITY
Volatility Problems
FIGURE 11-3 A
gasoline testing kit.
Included is an
insulated container
where water at
100°F is used to
heat a container
holding a small
sample of gasoline.
The reading on the
pressure gauge is
the Reid vapor
pressure (RVP).
DISTILLATION CURVE
• Besides Reid vapor pressure, another

method of classifying gasoline volatility is the
distillation curve.
• A curve on a graph is created by plotting the
temperature at which the various percentage
of the fuel evaporates.
DISTILLATION CURVE
FIGURE 11-4 A typical

distillation curve. Heavier
molecules evaporate at
higher temperatures and
contain more heat energy
for power, whereas the
lighter molecules evaporate
easier for starting.
DRIVEABILITY INDEX
• A distillation curve shows how much of a

gasoline evaporates at what temperature
range.
• To predict cold-weather driveability, an index
was created called the driveability index,
also called the distillation index, and
abbreviated DI.
• The formula for DI is:
– DI = 1.5 x T10 + 3 x T50 + T90
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL COMBUSTION
• The octane rating of gasoline is the measure of its

antiknock properties.
• Normal combustion occurs smoothly and
progresses across the combustion chamber from
the point of ignition.
FIGURE 11-5
Normal combustion
is a smooth,
controlled burning of
the air–fuel mixture.
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL COMBUSTION
• During periods of spark knock (detonation), the

combustion speed increases by up to 10 times to
near the speed of sound.
• The increased combustion speed also causes
increased temperatures and pressures, which can
damage pistons, gaskets, and cylinder heads
FIGURE 11-6 Detonation is a

secondary ignition of the air–
fuel mixture. It is also called
spark knock or pinging.
OCTANE RATING
• The antiknock standard or basis of comparison was

the knockresistant hydrocarbon isooctane,
chemically called trimethylpentane (C8H18), also
known as 2-2-4 trimethylpentane.
• If a gasoline tested had the exact same antiknock
characteristics as isooctane, it was rated as 100-
octane gasoline. If the gasoline tested had only
85% of the antiknock properties of isooctane, it was
rated as 85 octane.
GASOLINE GRADES AND OCTANE
NUMBER
• The posted octane rating on gasoline pumps
is the rating achieved by the average of the
research and the motor methods.
GASOLINE GRADES AND OCTANE
NUMBER
FIGURE 11-7 A typical

fuel pump showing
regular (87 octane),
midgrade (89 octane),
and premium (92
octane). These ratings
can vary with brand as
well as in different parts
of the country,
especially in high-
altitude areas where the
ratings are lower.
OCTANE IMPROVERS
• When gasoline companies, under federal EPA

regulations, removed tetraethyl lead from gasoline,
other methods were developed to help maintain the
antiknock properties of gasoline.
• Octane improvers (enhancers) can be grouped into
three broad categories:
– Aromatic hydrocarbons
– Alcohols such as ethanol
– Metallic compounds
OXYGENATED FUELS
• Oxygenated fuels contain oxygen in the

molecule of the fuel itself.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
• MTBE is manufactured by means of the
chemical reaction of methanol and
isobutylene.
• Unlike methanol, MTBE does not increase
the volatility of the fuel, and is not as sensitive
to water as are other alcohols.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Tertiary-Amyl Methyl Ether
• Tertiary-amyl methyl ether (TAME) is an
oxygenate added to gasoline and is
flammable and can form explosive mixtures
with air.
• It is slightly soluble in water, very soluble in
ethers and alcohol, and soluble in most
organic solvents including hydrocarbons.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
• ETBE is derived from ethanol.
• The maximum allowable volume level is
17.2%.
• The use of ETBE is the cause of much of the
odor from the exhaust of vehicles using
reformulated gasoline.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Ethanol
• Ethyl alcohol is
drinkable alcohol and is
usually made from
grain.
• Adding 10% ethanol
(ethyl alcohol or grain
alcohol) increases the
(R + M) / 2 octane FIGURE 11-8 This fuel pump indicates that
the gasoline is blended with 10% ethanol
rating by three points. (ethyl alcohol) and can be used in any
gasoline vehicle. E85 contains 85% ethanol
and can only be used in vehicles specifically
designed to use it.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Methanol
• Methyl alcohol is made from wood (wood
alcohol), natural gas, or coal.
• Methanol contains oxygen and gasoline
containing 5% methanol would have an
oxygen content of 2.5% by weight.
OXYGENATED FUELS
Methanol
FIGURE 11-9 A container

with gasoline containing
alcohol. Notice the
separation line where the
alcohol–water mixture
separated from the gasoline
and sank to the bottom.
ALCOHOL ADDITIVES—ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
• Advantages
– Alcohol absorbs moisture in the fuel tank.
– Ten percent alcohol added to gasoline raises the
octane rating, (R M) 2, by three points.
– Alcohol cleans the fuel system.
– Alcohol reducesCOemissions because it contains
oxygen.
ALCOHOL ADDITIVES—ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
• Disadvantages
– The use of alcohol can result in the clogging of fuel filters with dirt
and other debris cleaned from the fuel tank, pump, and lines.
– Alcohol raises the volatility of fuel about 0.5 PSI; this can cause hot-
weather driveability problems.
– Alcohol reduces the heat content of the resulting fuel mixture (it has
about one-half of the energy content of gasoline)—60,000 to 75,000
British thermal units (BTUs) per gallon for alcohol versus about
130,000 BTUs per gallon for gasoline.
– Alcohol absorbs water and then separates from the gasoline,
especially as temperature drops. Separated alcohol and water on the
bottom of the tank can cause hard starting during cold weather.
Alcohol does not vaporize easily fat low temperatures.
COMBUSTION CHEMISTRY
• Internal combustion
engines burn an
organic fuel to produce
power.
• The term organic
refers to a product
(gasoline) from a
source that originally FIGURE 11-10 An engine will
was alive. not run if the air–fuel mixture is
either too rich or too lean.
AIR–FUEL RATIOS
• Fuel burns best when the intake system turns

it into a fine spray and mixes it with air before
sending it into the cylinders.
• In fuel-injected engines, the fuel becomes a
spray and mixes with the air in the intake
manifold.
AIR–FUEL RATIOS
• The air–fuel ratio is the proportion by weight of air

and gasoline that the injection system mixes as
needed for engine combustion.
• These ratios are usually stated by weight, such as:
– 8 parts of air by weight combined with 1 part of gasoline
by weight (8:1), which is the richest mixture that an
engine can tolerate and still fire reliably.
– 18.5 parts of air mixed with 1 part of gasoline (18.5:1),
which is the leanest practical ratio. Richer or leaner air–
fuel ratios cause the engine to misfire badly or not run at
all.
AIR–FUEL RATIOS
Stoichiometric Air–Fuel Ratio
• The ideal mixture or
ratio at which all of the
fuel combines with all of
the oxygen in the air
and burns completely is
called the
stoichiometric ratio, a
FIGURE 11-11 With a
chemically perfect three-way catalytic
combination. converter, emission control
is most efficient with an air–
fuel ratio between 14.65:1
and 14.75:1.
AIR–FUEL RATIOS
Stoichiometric Air–Fuel Ratio for Various Fuels
• If the combustion
process is complete, all
gasoline or HCs will be
completely combined
with all the available
oxygen.
• This total combination
of all components of the
fuel is called
stoichiometric air–fuel
ratio.
HIGH-ALTITUDE OCTANE REQUIREMENTS
• As the altitude increases, atmospheric

pressure drops.
• The air is less dense because a pound of air
takes more volume.
• The octane rating of fuel does not need to be
as high because the engine cannot take in as
much air.
• This process will reduce the combustion
(compression) pressures inside the engine.
HIGH-ALTITUDE OCTANE REQUIREMENTS
FIGURE 11-12 Photo of

gasoline pump taken in a
high-altitude area. Note the
lower-than-normal octane
ratings. The “ethanol”
sticker reads that all grades
contain 10% ethanol from
November 1 through
February 28 each year to
help reduce CO exhaust
emissions.
REFORMULATED GASOLINE
• Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is manufactured by

refiners to help reduce emissions.
• The gasoline refiners reformulate gasoline by using
additives that contain at least 2% oxygen by weight
and reducing the additive benzene to a maximum of
1% by volume.
• Two other major changes done at the refineries are
as follows:
– Reduce light compounds.
– Reduce heavy compounds.
WHAT IS “TOP-TIER”GASOLINE?
• Top-tier gasoline is
gasoline that has specific
standards for quality,
including enough detergent
to keep all intake valves
clean.
• The gasoline companies
that agreed to make fuel
that matches or exceeds
the standards as a top-tier
fuel include Chevron FIGURE 11-13 The gas cap on a Ford
Texaco and Conoco vehicle notes that BP fuel is
Phillips. recommended.
GENERAL GASOLINE RECOMMENDATIONS
• To help ensure proper engine operation and

keep fuel costs to a minimum, follow these
guidelines:
– Purchase fuel from a busy station to help ensure
that it is fresh and less likely to be contaminated
with water or moisture.
– Keep the fuel tank above one-quarter full,
especially during seasons in which the
temperature rises and falls by more than 20°F
between daytime highs and nighttime lows.
– Do not purchase fuel with a higher octane rating

than is necessary.
– Avoid using gasoline with alcohol in warm
weather, even though many alcohol blends do
not affect engine driveability.
– Do not purchase fuel from a retail outlet when a
tanker truck is filling the underground tanks.
– Do not overfill the gas tank.
– Be careful when filling gasoline containers.
FIGURE 11-14 Many gasoline

service stations have signs posted
warning customers to place plastic
fuel containers on the ground while
filling. If placed in a trunk or
pickup truck bed equipped with a
plastic liner, static electricity could
build up during fueling and
discharge from the container to the
metal nozzle, creating a spark and
possible explosion. Some service
stations have warning signs not to
use cell phones while fueling to
help avoid the possibility of an
accidental spark creating a fire
hazard.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
• Alternative fuels include

a number of fuels
besides gasoline for
use in passenger
vehicles.
FIGURE 11-15 Some retail stations offer a

variety of fuel choices, such as this station
in Ohio where biodiesel, E10, and E85 are
available.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Ethanol
• Ethanol is also called ethyl
alcohol or grain alcohol,
because it is usually made
from grain and is the type of
alcohol found in alcoholic
drinks such as beer, wine,
and distilled spirits like
whiskey. FIGURE 11-16 The ethanol
• Ethanol is composed of two molecule showing two carbon
carbon atoms and six atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and
hydrogen atoms with one one oxygen atom.
added oxygen atom.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Ethanol
• The majority of the ethanol in the United
States is made from:
– Corn
– Grain
– Sorghum
– Wheat
– Barley
– Potatoes
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Ethanol
• Ethanol can be made by the dry mill process in
which the starch portion of the corn is fermented
into sugar and then distilled into alcohol.
• The major steps in the dry mill process include:
– Milling.
– Liquefaction.
– Saccharification.
– Fermentation.
– Distillation.
– Dehydration.
– Denaturing.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
• E85 is composed of 85% ethanol and 15%
gasoline.
• Pure ethanol has an octane rating of about
113, whereas E85, which contains 35%
oxygen by weight, has an octane rating of
about 100 to 105 compared to a regular
unleaded gasoline rating of 87.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
• E85 has less heat
energy than gasoline.
– Gasoline = 114,000
BTUs per gallon
– E85 = 87,000 BTUs per
gallon
FIGURE 11-17 A vehicle emission

control information (VECI) sticker on
a flexible fuel vehicle indicating the
percentage of ethanol with which it is
able to operate.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
• E85 vehicles use fuel system parts designed
to withstand the additional alcohol content,
modified driveability programs that adjust fuel
delivery and timing to compensate for the
various percentages of ethanol fuel, and a
fuel compensation sensor, also called a
fuel composition sensor, which measures
both the percentage of ethanol blend and the
temperature of the fuel.
– This sensor is also called a variable fuel sensor.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
FIGURE 11-18 The

location of the variable
fuel sensor can vary,
depending on the make
and model of vehicle,
but it is always in the
fuel line between the
fuel tank and the fuel
injectors.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
FIGURE 11-19 A cutaway

view of a typical variable fuel
sensor.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
E85
• The benefits of E85
vehicles are less
pollution, less CO2
production, and less
dependence on oil.
FIGURE 11-20 A pump for E85 (85%

ethanol and 15% gasoline). There are
few, if any, of these pumps in many
states.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Methanol
• Methanol, also known
as methyl alcohol or
wood alcohol, is a
chemical compound
with a chemical formula
that includes one
carbon atom and four FIGURE 11-21 The molecular
hydrogen atoms and structure of methanol showing
the one carbon atom, four
one oxygen. hydrogen atoms, and one
oxygen atom.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Methanol
• Methanol is often called
wood alcohol because
it was once produced
chiefly as a byproduct
of the destructive
distillation of wood.
FIGURE 11-22 Sign on methanol pump

shows that methyl alcohol is a poison
and can cause skin irritation and other
personal injury. Methanol is used in
industry as well as a fuel source.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
M85
• Some flexible fuel vehicles are designed to
operate on 85% methanol and 15% gasoline.
• Methanol is very corrosive and requires that
the fuel system components be constructed
of stainless steel and other alcohol-resistant
rubber and plastic components.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Propane
• Propane is normally a gas but is easily
compressed into a liquid and stored in
inexpensive containers.
• When sold as a fuel, it is also known as
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or LP-gas
because the propane is often mixed with
about 10% of other gases such as butane,
propylene, butylenes, and mercaptan to give
the colorless and odorless propane a smell.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Propane
FIGURE 11-23 Propane fuel

storage tank in the trunk of a
Ford taxi.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
• Another alternative fuel that
is often used in fleet
vehicles is compressed
natural gas, or CNG, and
vehicles using this fuel are
often referred to as natural
gas vehicles (NGVs).
• Look for the blue CNG label
on vehicles designed to FIGURE 11-24 The blue sticker on
operate on compressed the rear of this vehicle indicates that
natural gas. it is designed to use compressed
natural gas.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
FIGURE 11-25 The fuel

injectors used on this
Honda Civic GX CNG
engine are designed to
flow gaseous fuel instead
of liquid fuel and cannot be
interchanged with any
other type of injector.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
FIGURE 11-26 A CNG

storage tank from a Honda
Civic GX shown with the
fixture used to support it
while it is being removed or
installed in the vehicle.
Honda specifies that three
technicians be used to
remove or install the tank
through the rear door of the
vehicle due to the size and
weight of the tank.
P-SERIES FUELS
• P-series alternative fuel is patented by

Princeton University and is a non-petroleum-
based fuel suitable for use in flexible fuel
vehicles or any vehicle designed to operate
on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). P-
series fuels are blends of the following:
– Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
– Methyltetrahydrofuron, abbreviated MTHF
– Natural gas liquids, such as pentanes
– Butane
P-SERIES FUELS
DIESEL FUEL
• The fuel in a diesel engine is not ignited with

a spark, but is ignited by the heat generated
by high compression.
• All diesel fuel must be clean, be able to flow
at low temperatures, and be of the proper
cetane rating.
– Cleanliness.
– Low-temperature fluidity.
– Cetane number.
DIESEL FUEL
Diesel Fuel Specific Gravity Testing
• The density of diesel fuel should be tested
whenever there is a driveability concern.
• The density or specific gravity of diesel fuel is
measured in units of API gravity.
• The formula for determining API gravity is as
follows:
– Degree API gravity = (141.5 / specific gravity at
60°F) - 131.5
DIESEL FUEL
Diesel Fuel Specific Gravity Testing
FIGURE 11-27 Testing the

API viscosity of a diesel fuel
sample using a hydrometer.
DIESEL FUEL
Diesel Fuel Heaters
• Diesel fuel heaters, either coolant or electric,
help prevent power loss and stalling in cold
weather.
• The heater is placed in the fuel line between
the tank and the primary filter.
DIESEL FUEL
Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel
• Diesel engines
manufactured to 2007
or newer standards
must use ultralow-sulfur
diesel fuel containing
less than 15 parts per
million (PPM) of sulfur
compared to the older FIGURE 11-28 A pump decal
low-sulfur specification indicating that the diesel fuel is
of 500 PPM. ultralow-sulfur diesel (ULSD) and
must be used in 2007 and newer
diesel vehicles.
BIODIESEL
• Biodiesel is a domestically produced,

renewable fuel that can be manufactured
from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled
restaurant greases.
• Biodiesel is safe, biodegradable, and reduces
serious air pollutants such as particulate
matter (PM), carbon monoxide, and
hydrocarbons.
BIODIESEL
FIGURE 11-29 Biodiesel is available

at few locations.
BIODIESEL
• Biodiesel has the following characteristics:

– Purchasing biodiesel in bulk quantities decreases the cost of fuel.
– Biodiesel maintains similar horsepower, torque, and fuel economy.
– Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than conventional diesel,
which increases the engine’s performance.
– Biodiesel has a high flash point and low volatility so it does not ignite
as easily as petrodiesel, which increases the margin of safety in fuel
handling.
– It is nontoxic, which makes it safe to handle, transport, and store.
– Biodiesel acts as a lubricant and this can add to the life of the fuel
system components.
E-DIESEL FUEL
• E-diesel, also called diesohol outside of the

United States, is standard No. 2 diesel fuel
that contains up to 15% ethanol.
E-DIESEL FUEL
Cetane Number
• The higher the cetane number, the shorter
the delay between injection and ignition.
• Normal diesel fuel has a cetane number of
about 50.
– Adding 15% ethanol lowers the cetane number.
SYNTHETIC FUELS
• Synthetic fuels were first developed using

the Fischer-Tropsch method and have been
in use since the 1920s to convert coal,
natural gas, and other fossil fuel products into
a fuel that is high in quality and clean-
burning.
SYNTHETIC FUELS
Coal to Liquid (CTL)
• Coal is very abundant in the United States
and coal can be converted to a liquid fuel
through a process called coal to liquid
(CTL).
• Two procedures can be used to convert coal-
to-liquid fuel:
– Direct
– Indirect
SYNTHETIC FUELS
Coal to Liquid (CTL)
FIGURE 11-30 A typical coal-to-liquid plant.
SYNTHETIC FUELS
Methanol to Gasoline
• The MTG process was discovered by
accident when a gasoline additive made from
methanol was being created.
• The process instead created olefins
(alkenes), paraffins (alkenes), and aromatic
compounds, which in combination are known
as gasoline.
SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN WORKING
WITH ALTERNATIVE-FUEL VEHICLES
• Whenever working around compressed
gases of any kind (CNG, LNG, propane, or
LPG), always wear personal protective
equipment (PPE), including at least the
following items:
– Safety glasses and/or face shield.
– Protective gloves.
– Long-sleeve shirt and pants to help protect bare
skin from the freezing effects of gases under
pressure in the event that the pressure is lost.
SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN WORKING
WITH ALTERNATIVE-FUEL VEHICLES
– If any fuel gets on the skin, the area should be
washed immediately.
– If fuel spills on clothing, change into clean
clothing as soon as possible.
– If fuel spills on a painted surface, flush the
surface with water and air dry. If simply wiped off
with a dry cloth, the paint surface could be
permanently damaged.
– As with any fuel-burning vehicle, always vent the
exhaust to the outside
Testing for Alcohol Content in Gasoline
CONT
CONT
SUMMARY
1. Gasoline is a complex blend of hydrocarbons. Gasoline is

blended for seasonal usage to achieve the correct volatility
for easy starting and maximum fuel economy under all
driving conditions.
2. Winter-blend fuel used in a vehicle during warm weather

can cause a rough idle and stalling because of its higher
Reid vapor pressure (RVP).
3. Abnormal combustion (also called detonation or spark

knock) increases both the temperature and the pressure
inside the combustion chamber.
SUMMARY
4. Most regular-grade gasoline today, using the (R M) 2

rating method, is 87 octane; midgrade (plus) is 89 and
premium grade is 91 or higher.
5. Oxygenated fuels contain oxygen to lower CO exhaust

emissions.
6. Gasoline should always be purchased from a busy station,

and the tank should not be overfilled.
7. Flexible fuel vehicles are designed to operate on gasoline

or gasoline-ethanol blends up to 85% ethanol.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between summer-blend and winter-blend

gasoline?
2. What is Reid vapor pressure?
3. What is vapor lock?
4. What does the (R + M) / 2 gasoline pump octane rating indicate?
5. What are five octane improvers that may be used during the refining
process?
6. What is stoichiometric?
CHAPTER QUIZ
1. Winter-blend gasoline ________.

a) Vaporizes more easily than summer-blend
gasoline
b) Has a higher RVP
c) Can cause engine driveability problems if used
during warm weather
d) All of the above
CHAPTER QUIZ
2. Vapor lock can occur ________.

a) As a result of excessive heat near fuel lines
b) If a fuel line is restricted
c) During both a and b
d) During neither a nor b
CHAPTER QUIZ
3. Technician A says that spark knock, ping, and

detonation are different names for abnormal
combustion. Technician B says that any abnormal
combustion raises the temperature and pressure
inside the combustion chamber and can cause
severe engine damage. Which technician is
correct?
a) Technician A only
b) Technician B only
c) Both technicians A and B
d) Neither technician A nor B
CHAPTER QUIZ
4. Technician A says that the research octane

number is higher than the motor octane
number. Technician B says that the octane
rating posted on fuel pumps is an average
of the two ratings. Which technician is
correct?
CHAPTER QUIZ
5. Technician A says that in going to high

altitudes, engines produce lower power.
Technician B says that most engine control
systems can compensate the air–fuel
mixture for changes in altitude. Which
technician is correct?
CHAPTER QUIZ
6. When refueling a CNG vehicle, why is it

recommended that the tank be filled to a
high pressure?
a) The range of the vehicle is increased
b) The cost of the fuel is lower
c) Less of the fuel is lost to evaporation
d) Both a and c
CHAPTER QUIZ
7. The use of premium high-octane gasoline in

an engine designed to use regular-grade
gasoline will increase engine power.
a) True
b) False
CHAPTER QUIZ
8. To avoid problems with the variation of

gasoline, all government testing uses
________ as a fuel during testing
procedures.
a) MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether)
b) Indolene
c) Xylene
d) TBA (tertiary butyl alcohol)
CHAPTER QUIZ
9. Avoid topping off the fuel tank because

________.
a) It can saturate the charcoal canister
b) The extra fuel simply spills onto the ground
c) The extra fuel increases vehicle weight and
reduces performance
d) The extra fuel goes into the expansion area of
the tank and is not used by the engine
CHAPTER QUIZ
10. Using ethanol-enhanced or reformulated

gasoline can result in reduced fuel
economy.
a) True
b) False
END

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Chapter 11

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OBJECTIVES

After studying Chapter 11, the reader will be able to:

1. Describe how the proper grade of gasoline affects

• As it comes out of the ground, petroleum

FIGURE 11-1 The

• Gasoline is a term used to describe a

• Volatility describes how easily the gasoline

FIGURE 11-2 A gas can that

• Besides Reid vapor pressure, another

FIGURE 11-4 A typical

• A distillation curve shows how much of a

• The octane rating of gasoline is the measure of its

• During periods of spark knock (detonation), the

FIGURE 11-6 Detonation is a

• The antiknock standard or basis of comparison was

FIGURE 11-7 A typical

• When gasoline companies, under federal EPA

• Oxygenated fuels contain oxygen in the

FIGURE 11-9 A container

• Fuel burns best when the intake system turns

• The air–fuel ratio is the proportion by weight of air

• As the altitude increases, atmospheric

FIGURE 11-12 Photo of

• Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is manufactured by

• To help ensure proper engine operation and

– Do not purchase fuel with a higher octane rating

FIGURE 11-14 Many gasoline

• Alternative fuels include

FIGURE 11-15 Some retail stations offer a

FIGURE 11-17 A vehicle emission

FIGURE 11-18 The

FIGURE 11-19 A cutaway

FIGURE 11-20 A pump for E85 (85%

FIGURE 11-22 Sign on methanol pump

FIGURE 11-23 Propane fuel

FIGURE 11-25 The fuel

FIGURE 11-26 A CNG

• P-series alternative fuel is patented by

• The fuel in a diesel engine is not ignited with

FIGURE 11-27 Testing the

• Biodiesel is a domestically produced,

FIGURE 11-29 Biodiesel is available

• Biodiesel has the following characteristics:

• E-diesel, also called diesohol outside of the

• Synthetic fuels were first developed using

FIGURE 11-30 A typical coal-to-liquid plant.

1. Gasoline is a complex blend of hydrocarbons. Gasoline is

2. Winter-blend fuel used in a vehicle during warm weather

3. Abnormal combustion (also called detonation or spark

4. Most regular-grade gasoline today, using the (R M) 2

5. Oxygenated fuels contain oxygen to lower CO exhaust

6. Gasoline should always be purchased from a busy station,

7. Flexible fuel vehicles are designed to operate on gasoline

1. What is the difference between summer-blend and winter-blend

2. What is Reid vapor pressure?

3. What is vapor lock?

4. What does the (R + M) / 2 gasoline pump octane rating indicate?

1. Winter-blend gasoline ________.

2. Vapor lock can occur ________.