Specifications for gasoline, unless noted, shall be determined in accordance with the test methods presented in the latest edition of The American Society For Testing and Materials Standards, hereinafter designated as ASTM, and those specifications that are published by the United States Department of Commerce as required by Code of Ala. 1975, §8-17-81. Gasoline which is sold or used in Alabama must meet the following minimum standards: (See Exhibit for Rule 80-1-16-.03 at end of Chapter.)
- (a) Sulfur - ASTM Method D-1266, D-3120 and D-2622. The sulfur content shall not exceed .10% by weight for unleaded gasoline and .15% for leaded gasoline.
- (b) Corrosion - ASTM Method D-130, Copper strip corrosion shall not exceed No. 1 on the ASTM test scale after three hours at 122° F.
- (c) Existent Gum - ASTM Method D-381. The existent gum shall not exceed 5 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
- (d) Lead - ASTM Method D-2599, D-3229, D-3237. The existence of lead shall not exceed 4.2 grams per gallon for leaded and .05 grams per gallon for unleaded.
- (e) Phosphorous - ASTM Method D-3231. The existence of phosphorous in unleaded gasoline shall not exceed .005 grams per gallon.
- (f) Volatility - ASTM Method D-86, D-323, D-2533 and D-4953. The volatility requirements for distillation, Reid Vapor Pressure and Vapor Liquid Ratio shall be as listed in Table 1 and Table 2, attached as exhibits to this rule, in accordance with the schedule for Alabama Volatility Requirements as follows:
- (g) The octane rating (Antiknock Index) shall equal that specified in the product registration and that posted in accordance with FTC Octane Posting and Certification rule. The minimum (R+M/2) Octane rating of premium grades shall be 90 for unleaded gasoline and shall be 93 for leaded gasoline. The minimum (R+M/2) Octane rating of regular grades shall be 87 for unleaded gasoline and shall be 89 for leaded gasoline. In addition, the motor octane number must not be less than 82.0 for unleaded gasolines with a minimum R+M/2 Octane rating of 87. The above octane requirements will not be applicable to intermediate grades when such product has a brand name or numerical designation that meets minimum Antiknock Index of regular grades and does not imply a higher Antiknock Index than it actually has and is not misleading to the consumer as to its quality.
- (h) The sale of any gasoline under any trade name which shall indicate to the purchaser that it is of a certain grade is prohibited unless the Antiknock Index therein is at least equal to that required above for that certain grade.
(i) Water and sediment. The finished gasoline shall be visually free of undissolved water, sediment, and suspended matter and shall be clear and bright at the ambient temperature or 70°F (21°C), whichever is higher.

Author: Charles H. Barnes, Robert J. Russell
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §8-17-81.
History: Filed April 19, 1982. Amended: Filed December 1, 1989. Reformatted: Filed June 19, 1986. Amended: Filed August 16, 1992. Amended: Filed February 20, 2008; effective March 26, 2008.