CRC Volatility Program on the Effect of Oxygenated Fuels and Altitude on Cold-Start Drivability at Low Ambient Temperatures
Abstract
The 1988 CRC driveability program investigated the effects of altitude and fuel oxygenates at low ambient temperature upon cold-start driveability with vehicles equipped with various fuel systems. This program was conducted because of the use of gasoline-oxygenate blends to reduce ambient air carbon monoxide levels. The test program was divided into two phases. A high- altitude phase was conducted new Denver, Colorado, from January 11 through February 10, 1988, at an altitude of 5,486 feet; and a low-altitude phase was conducted in Brainerd, Minnesota, from March 4 through March 31, 1988, at an altitude of 1,226 feet. Test temperatures were 10 F to 40 F. Twenty-four vehicles chosen to represent a variety of engines and fuel systems tested twelve test fuels, including hydrocarbon-only fuels, gasoline-ethanol blends, and gasoline-MTBE blends. The altitude change between the two sites was found to have no statistically significant effect on driveability for the overall fleet. Driveability performance decreased statistically significantly with declining ambient temperatures. For the overall fleet, the oxygenate-containing fuels evaluated performed poorer than hydrocarbon-only fuels at a statistically significant level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227571