>
> >>In Texas and New Mexico ALL of the regular gas
> >>was 86 octane.  Anyone know why this is so?
>
> Regular is 86 here in Colorado.  I've been told that
> the refiners lower it because of the altitude.  I have
> noticed 87 at lower altitude places....

In SLC Ut, regular is 85 octane.

Higher altitudes can use the lower octane. If you go to a higher
altitude, with what looks like a lower octane rating, its okay to use
it, don't waste you money putting in the middle grade. I dunno about
anyplace else, but that applies in the states.

Regards from Utah

John