Whats Toluene do? I though it was just a crappy by-product of crude oil. Found this info below on toluene.
Too much toluene may breach Australian standards
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Excessive amounts of toluene could mean that the octane performance of fuel used in cars may not comply with Australian standards in this area, according to Standards Australia.
Standards Australia was commenting on allegations regarding a “petrol substitution racket” in Sydney, in which petrol is allegedly being diluted with toluene to increase profit margins.
Octane performance is covered by an Australian standard, which requires that various grades of petrol meet specified octane ratings. The Australian Standard- AS 1876 of 1990 “ Petrol (Gasoline) for Motor Vehicles”- also sets out requirements relating to contaminants such as lead and sulphur content.
The octane rating controls the “anti-knock” performance of car engines. If the octane rating is too low, the engine will “knock” and this will affect both its performance and increase the prospect of engine damage.
The “knock” is the “pinging” sound which older cars would make when petrol with too low an octane rating was used.
The voluntary standard was developed by interested industry, consumer and government organisations such as the Australian Automobile Association, the Australian Institute of Petroleum, the Federal Department of Transport and the then State Pollution Control Commission.
Compliance with the standard would generally be the responsibility of the organisation who supplies the fuel to the service station. However, service station proprietors also have a prime role in ensuring proper storage and freedom from contamination.
This document last updated: 2000-03-01