• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Auto Basics
  • Auto Parts & Systems
  • Auto Racing
  • Buying & Selling
  • Car Models
  • Driving & Safety
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Motorcycles
  • Trucks
  • Under the Hood
  • Home / 
  • Auto / 
  • Fuel Efficiency / 
  • Fuel Consumption

MORE STUFF LIKE THIS:

Subscribe to the Hidden Genius!
Subscribe to the Hidden Genius!
Top 10 Improvements in Engine Design
Top 10 Improvements in Engine Design
Classic Muscle Car Pictures
Classic Muscle Car Pictures

What does octane mean?

by Marshall Brain

  • Page
  • 1
    What does octane mean?
  • 2
    Octane History
  • 3
    Lots More Information

    • Lots More Information

    Related HowStuffWorks Articles

    • Gas Prices Quiz
    • How Horsepower Works
    • How Turbochargers Work
    • How Car Engines Work
    • How Catalytic Converters Work
    • How Oil Refining Works
    • How Gas Prices Work

    More Great Links

    • John's Octane Engine Page
    • The Community Engine Blog
    • Facts About Gasoline Octane
    Print
    Cite This!
    Close 
    Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

    Brain, Marshall.  "What does octane mean?"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/question90.htm>  16 January 2013.
    Cite
    Feedback
  • Page
  • 1
    What does octane mean?
  • 2
    Octane History
  • 3
    Lots More Information

    • More To Explore

    More Great Links

    Top 10 Green Driving Tips
    Top 10 Green Driving Tips
    5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
    5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
    The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
    The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
    5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
    5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
    10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
    10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
    Watch American Chopper videos >>

    You Might Also Like

    How E85 Ethanol Flex Fuel Works

    Corn distilled into ethanol and mixed with gasoline is used to create E85. Each gallon of E85 consists of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Learn the pros and cons of this new fuel.

    Can I buy an electric car at Sam's Club?

    If you're a member of Sam's Club, then you already know the great deals a membership can provide for you and your family or business. But can you really buy an electric car through Sam's Club, too?

    Popular Articles

    • How Instant MPG Readout Works
    • What's Different About Electric Car Batteries?
    • How the Honda Civic Hybrid Works
    • Most Popular
    • Most Watched

    • Most Popular

      • 10 Hottest New Cars for 2013
      • Can biofuel do that?
      • Car Safety Pictures
      • Do most gas-saving devices really work?
      • Bike Build Game

    • Most Watched

      • Concept Cars
      • Mythbusters and Toyota Entune
      • How to Maintain Your Car
      • Destroyed in Seconds
      • What does a transmission do, anyway?

    Don't Miss

    Stuff You Should Know Shorts
    Stuff You Should Know Shorts
    Secrets Exposed from UFOs to Government Conspiracies
    Secrets Exposed from UFOs to Government Conspiracies
    Learn about the geniuses behind everyday inventions!
    Learn about the geniuses behind everyday inventions!

    CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

    STUFF NATION NEWSLETTER THE HOW BEHIND TODAY'S NEWS
    HOWSTUFFWORKS
    • Adventure
    • Auto
    • Culture
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Home & Garden
    • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Science
    • Tech
    MORE STUFF
    • Blogs
    • Games
    • HSW Tools
    • RSS
    • Maps
    • Podcasts
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • Video
    OUR WEBSITES
    • Animal Planet
    • Consumer Guide Auto
    • Consumer Guide Products
    • Destination America
    • Discovery Channel
    • Discovery Fit & Health
    • HSW Brazil
    • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
    • Investigation Discovery
    • Oprah Winfrey Network
    • Revision3
    • Science Channel
    • TLC
    • Discovery Education
    • Store
    CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Help
    CORPORATE
    • About Us
    • Careers @ Discovery
    • Privacy Policy
    • Visitor Agreement
    TAKE US WITH YOU
    FOLLOW US
    © 1998-2013 HowStuffWorks, Inc