RON stands for Research Octane Number, the most common global metric used to grade the anti-knock quality of gasoline. It is determined by running the fuel in a standardized test engine under controlled, mild conditions. A higher RON indicates the fuel can withstand more compression before auto-igniting, making it essential for high-compression or forced-induction engines to prevent catastrophic detonation.
The tuner specifically mapped the ECU for 98 RON, so if you put cheap pump gas in it, the knock sensors will pull all your timing.
Also heard as
- Research Octane Number
Do not mix it up with
- MON: RON measures knock resistance under mild loads, whereas MON tests it under severe, high-temperature conditions.
Related terms
MON
A measure of a fuel's resistance to detonation under severe operating conditions.
Anti-knock index
The standard numerical rating of a fuel's resistance to premature ignition.
Knock
An abnormal and damaging combustion event where the air-fuel mixture self-ignites prematurely.
Detonation
An uncontrolled secondary explosion in the combustion chamber that causes severe engine damage.
Preignition
The uncontrolled ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder before the spark plug fires.