https://apple.news/A5Hk3DtqFRHWyA9y48ap0uA


(edit: the link does not pass through to this site)

96% of NYC stations failed. They sell regular as high test.
“”””702 out of 729 stations tested by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection reportedly flunked at least one inspection between 2023 and 2025.”



Excerpt From

“96% of NYC Gas Stations Tested Failed Inspection, Primarily Due to Wrong Octane Numbers: Report”

Emmet White

Road & Track

https://apple.news/A5Hk3DtqFRHWyA9y48ap0uA

 

I could believe it. My car is very gas sensitive, 93 octane is absolutely not the same from one station to another. And that goes for the big name brands. The best gas I have ever put in the 69 (besides race fuel at the track) was a no name stations premium. Not really by choice but was worried about running out. Car ran beautifully with no booster. Meanwhile the usual stations high test may need additional booster immediately as it diminishes and dilutes what was already in tank.

Back when I would go to the track often. I would obviously try to go light and fuel up on the return trip. Jersey WAWAs carried 91 octane as premium and the 69 hated it. I would say the variance I've experienced from one stations 93 to another's 93 got as bad as 91... Insufficient gas quality gives her light audible pinging at 2000 rpm and up, while on an incline. But 91 adds slight run-on to the equation. A top quality booster from the readily available, like Turbo 108 or Lucas 3X resolves the run-on instantly.

 

I remember when the high octane (91-93) fuel was a different color than the low and mid-grade octane (87-89).

 

Some still is, Coop's is more yellow and much stronger smell than regular, being a non ethanol 91 vs 10 percent ethanol 87 regular. I found more pinging with Shell 91, which is also supposed to also be non ethanol too. It could be limited sales at that station, fuel looses octane as it sits, is my understanding.

 

I always found the smell of Sunoco 93 to be very different from others, much stronger. Sunoco is always my brand of choice in vehicles that matter. Shell, Citgo always seemed good but avoided for political hangups, Costco has been reliable. Then there’s Mobil & Exxon 93 that I would put in the tank out of necessity and 5 minutes later engines would be pinging under load. Not once, numerous times, over years, in different locations. That always surprised me, one would think two of the biggest bullies on the block would be the strongest, but not in my experience with different cars, though not the two in my sig

I always ran 93 in the blue one, though it was built to drink 91, as it’s always available, unlike 93. The red one runs happily on 87. My octane problems were in other cars & engines.

Additive packages and integrity seem to make a noticeable difference. The NY thing comes as no surprise at all.

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Is there a way to determine octane level outside of a lab? Weights and Measures test for accuracy in volume delivered in NJ but I don't know if octane is verified for accuracy.