1.1 This laboratory test method covers the quantitative determination of the knock rating of liquid spark-ignition engine fuel in terms of Motor octane number except that this test method may not be applicable to fuel and fuel components that are primarily oxygenates. The sample fuel is tested in a standardized single cylinder, four-stroke cycle, variable compression ratio, carbureted, CFR engine run in accordance with a defined set of operating conditions. The octane number scale is defined by the volumetric composition of primary reference fuel blends. The sample fuel knock intensity is compared to that of one or more primary reference fuel blends. The octane number of the primary reference fuel blend that matches the knock intensity of the sample fuel establishes the Motor octane number.

1.2 The octane number scale covers the range from 0 to 120 octane number, but this test method has a working range from 40 to 120 octane number. Typical commercial fuels produced for automotive spark-ignition engines rate in the 80 to 90 Motor octane number range. Typical commercial fuels produced for aviation spark-ignition engines rate in the 98 to 102 Motor octane number range. Testing of gasoline blend stocks or other process stream materials can produce ratings at various levels throughout the Motor octane number range.