Alcohols and ethers are added to gasoline to produce a reformulated lower emissions gasoline. Alcohols and ethers may also be added to gasoline to increase the octane number. Type and concentration of various oxygenates are specified and regulated to ensure acceptable commercial gasoline quality. Driveability, vapor pressure, phase separation, and evaporative emissions are some of the concerns associated with oxygenated fuels.

This test method is faster, simpler, less expensive and more portable than current methods.

This test method may be applicable for quality control in the production of gasoline.

This test method is not suitable for testing for compliance with federal regulations.³

False positive readings for some of the samples tested in the round robin were sometimes observed. As only extreme base gasolines were tested in the round robin, no definitive statement can be made as to the expected frequency or magnitude of false positives expected in a wider range of base gasolines.