The answer to the fuel questio
The answer to the fuel question is different depending which region of the country you live in. But overall no need to worry.
Detail:
There are basically 3 types of gasoline in the country. Conventional, reformulated and botique fuels (including oxygenated mandated fuels). Effective Jan 05 the sulfur levels of all gasoline are limited to 30ppm per gallon. (The average right now is probably around 250ppm per gallon). That is the big change that is taking place. But that is not reformulated gasoline. There will still be conventional and reformultated areas in the country but the sulfur content will be less.
Both reformulated and conventional have about the same BTU/gal content.
However in some areas of the country there is an oxygen mandate. For example, the gasoline in NY, CT and a large portion of the midwest must be blended with an oxygenate. Since these states have outlawed MTBE the oxygenat of choice is ethanol. There is a slight performance dirfference when using ethanol since the BTU per gallon content is less. Hower this generally manifests itself in reduced miles per gallon. I doubt you will ever notice any performance debit from oxygenated fuels in a 84QV again since it effects mpg more than performance. It should be fine for the car's fuel system.
Houston/Spring is a reformulated market. I don't believe there are any plans to require oxygenates in that region of the country but could be wrong. The only diference in your gasoline next year should be a little less sulfur (and a different price).
Drew Altemara
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