Sorry, I didn't make myself clear.  He didn't say octane didn't matter with regard to
elevation.  He said the reason it changed abruptly from state to state was because of state
regulations.  That's why they sell the same octane in eastern Colorado as they do up in the
mountains.  That's why they sell the same octane in Phoenix as they do in Flagstaff, which is
more than 5000' higher.  There are also a lot of other differences between high and low
elevation gas besides octane.  That's the reason the 87 octane you buy in Phoenix may make your
car hard to start, while the 87 octane you buy in Flagstaff won't.  Same octane, but definitely
not the same gas.

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Brush" <jbrush@AROS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: Day 4 (west to east)

>
> >I just spoke to a fuel tech at Chevron.  I was put in touch with him by
> >the local distributor, who is a client of mine.  The fuel tech tells me
> >that the octane difference from state to state is not an elevation issue.
>
>
> Well then I guess that is the end of that issue. There is certainly no way
> that he could be wrong. I guess everything I have learned has been a waste
> of time.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>