ford dealership new orleans | Lamarque Ford

If you’ve ever filled your car up at a gas station, you probably at some point have wondered what’s with the different types of gas available. Some are more expensive than others, due to variations in refining and state taxes; some are rated with different numbers; but they all seemingly work with your car. You’ve probably assumed that the more expensive ones are better in some regard, but you may have no idea as to how or why they are better. So what’s the deal?

The most basic difference between gas types is their octane ratings. This is indicated by the number you see next to the different levels of gas, and it is also the primary factor in the different prices of gasoline. The octane level is a measure of performance in gasoline that indicates how much compression the fuel can withstand before igniting. The higher the number, the more compression it can withstand. Diesel engines, which compress air rather than fuel, usually are fine with lower octane ratings. However, petrol engines, which are far more common in consumer vehicles, often times require fuel with a higher octane rating. Regular gasoline usually has an octane rating of 87, mid-grade at 89, and premium usually somewhere from 91-93.

It may be tempting to think that premium gas is simply “better,” and while this is true to an extent, it’s not quite as simple as it seems. The best way to know what gas to use in your car is to check your owner’s manual. Most engines will recommend regular gasoline, but some high performance engines will utilize higher compression and therefore require gasoline with higher octane levels. Whether you’re driving a brand new Ford for a used car that’s seen better days, it’s always a good idea to adhere strictly to the engine’s octane recommendation.

It’s important to note that you typically won’t get much added benefit by using a higher octane rating than recommended, but you can run into problems if you use a lower rating than recommended. If you lose the incorrect grade of gasoline, you may experience engine knocking, during which the air/fuel combination doesn’t combust at the optimum point in the cycle. This is a sure indication that you need to get a higher octane fuel.

Although understanding octane ratings is important, making sure you get the best car service is crucial to keep your engine running great.

Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start doing some planning for how you and your special someone, are going to spend the day (if you haven’t already!). While extravagant gifts like a brand new car or expensive jewelry may send an over-the-top romantic message, other times it’s how you spend your time together that creates the most precious memories. Here are a few suggestions that may help you and your significant other make some memories to cherish for years to come.

Valentine's Day at Lamarque Ford

Although there’s nothing at all new or novel about going to a nice restaurant on Valentine’s Day, it’s something that is almost expected- and thus can’t be overlooked. Luckily, New Orleans has no shortage of restaurants that are both delicious and romantic. New Orleans classic locations such as Vincent’s never fail to disappoint, just make sure you call far enough in advance to get a reservation. If you favor something a little less orthodox, try venturing out to Metairie or Kenner for an unknown hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Trying a new restaurant together can be a fun and exciting way to mix things up. Of course, you can always forego eating out altogether and cook a meal instead – you don’t have to go out to have a romantic meal together. Sometimes cooking in can be just as much fun, and at only a fraction of the price.

After dinner, there are a variety of ways to enjoy the wonderful city of New Orleans with your special someone. If you’ve never gone for a carriage ride through the French Quarter, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to enjoy one; or, even if you have, it’s always a great way to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in America. Also, touring all the music venues on Frenchman street can always provide a night full of dancing and fun. If you want something a little more upscale or elegant, however, the Mahalia Jackson Theater will be showing Massenet’s Cinderella performed by the New Orleans Opera.

There’s always the safe fall back plan of going to see a movie. With no shortage of theaters in New Orleans showing everything from sci-fi to romantic comedies, there’s sure to be something both of you can agree on. Those who want to be a little more adventurous, however, could try venturing over to the Prytania Theater to see Rocky Horror Picture Show on Valentine’s Day at midnight. Sure it’s a bit non-traditional, but it’s sure to be a way to mix things up if you’re tired of the same old-same old.

While this list merely scratches the surface of what you could do in New Orleans on Valentine’s Day, hopefully it will get you thinking about fun, romantic ways to spend the evening with your date!

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