ethanol free gas

[wmmallette]

does anyone have any experience with using ethanol free gasoline and any positive or negative effect on mpg?

[GrySql]

There have been several discussions about what type gas is best.

The Owner's Manual tells us what is needed but any test you want to try would be fun to hear about.

 

Blended Gas Primer:
Updated-Gasoline-Primer-2015.pdf

Edited July 8, 2015 by GrySql

[milleron]

The two types of fuel are not isocaloric. It's been stated elsewhere that ethanol-free gasoline has about 3% more BTUs than E10. I cannot imagine that E0 wouldn't give slightly better mileage than E10, but it's likewise difficult to imagine that it would be significant. It seems very unlikely that it would be cost effective.

[ptjones]

E0 slightly better MPG's than Premium maybe 1mpg and Premium is a couple better than Regular. E0 isn't very cost effective, but Premium isn't to bad and that's what I use. :)

Paul

[Griswald]

Premium is a total waste of money in these cars. There isn't any proof that it does anything except lighten your wallet, maybe that's where the increase in MPG's come from.

 

I know that there is a station in the town I an going to visit this weekend that sells 100% gasoline. Maybe I'll try some.

[rwhgme]

As a Harley Trike owner, and required to burn premium for it, I get roughly 2 mpg better using ethanol free premium. That is 12 miles per tank more.

[Texasota]

Even if burning premium does give a 1-2 MPG gain (~3.5% MPG improvement in a FFH) that is overshadowed by the ~13% premium you pay for premium gas. This makes no economic sense. But, I understand that for some it is not about dollars and cents, instead it is all about the competition and personal challenge of maximizing miles per tank. The economics are irrelevant.

Edited July 10, 2015 by Texasota

[ptjones]

Premium is a total waste of money in these cars. There isn't any proof that it does anything except lighten your wallet, maybe that's where the increase in MPG's come from.

 

I know that there is a station in the town I an going to visit this weekend that sells 100% gasoline. Maybe I'll try some.

With 174 fillups I know my car very well and in my experience it is real obvious the difference between Premium and Regular. In my case It is 2-3mpg making 4-6%mpg improvement and the price difference between Premium and Regular 10%, I like going 30-40mi. farther a tank, that's worth it to me :shift: :)

 

Paul

[Texasota]

Here is Consumer Reports take on regular vs premium:

 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/08/debunking-fuel-economy-myths/index.htm

 

Their main point is this:

 

 

Premium gas has a higher octane rating, usually 91 or above, making it more resistant to pre­ignition, a condition in which fuel burns uncontrollably in the engine. Higher-performing engines are the most susceptible to preignition because they tend to run hotter, which is why premium is often recommended or required for sports and luxury vehicles.

Premium also helps maximize power in high-performance engines. With those engines, if you don't use premium, you might not get full power when, say, accelerating or climbing hills. Most drivers will probably never notice the difference.

The vast majority of cars are designed to run fine on regular. And premium won’t improve performance or fuel economy for those cars, but it will cost you about 20 cents more per gallon.

 

 

 

I like going 30-40mi. farther a tank, that's worth it to me

If it is worth it to you, then that is fine and there is nothing wrong with your choice. Most drivers will likely choose regular over premium because it results in greater miles per dollar. Greater miles per dollar was my primary motivation for purchasing a hybrid.

[wmmallette]

I filled up my tank today with ethanol-free. It cost about 0.10¢ More per gallon. It will be interesting to see if there is a mpg increase. If it is even close, I would probably use it on a regular basis. It may be mostly psychological, but I feel better using it. Thanks to everyone who is submitting responses and opinions. This forum is great!

[Griswald]

I quit using premium in my Harley. Dont see any difference at all...I started when premium got over $4 and have not used it since that. I also quit using "tier 1" gas and now fill up anywhere. Guess I have been lucky!

[Texasota]

I quit using premium in my Harley. Dont see any difference at all...I started when premium got over $4 and have not used it since that. I also quit using "tier 1" gas and now fill up anywhere. Guess I have been lucky!

I have no evidence to support this and it is pure speculation on my part. But I suspect "tier 1" is nothing more than marketing gimmicks. The gas for all of your local gas stations is most likely coming from the same refinery.

Edited July 11, 2015 by Texasota

[GrySql]

But I suspect "tier 1" is nothing more than marketing gimmicks. The gas for all of you local gas stations is most likely coming from the same refinery.

I didn't know either so I found this easy explanation that surprised me.

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tier_Detergent_Gasoline

[Texasota]

Interesting. I wonder if those detergent additives are added at the refinery or if they are added by the "tier 1" gasoline station after the gas is delivered.

[Hybrider]

I found out about the Top Tier gasolines from owning GM cars, since GM strongly recommends using Top Tier gas in their Owner's Manuals.

 

I have since always tried to use the Top Tier gases when possible since it makes great sense to me to use gas with detergent in it, just like the Techron gas always advertised, especially in today's cars which all have the tiny fuel injectors that seem to get gummed up quite easily.

 

Where I live, several of the lower-priced gases now have the Top Tier certification, so it is a no-brainer for me.

[Hybrider]

And for a while Gas Buddy was showing which gas stations in my town were Top Tier, so that made it really easy to know which ones had the stamp of approval.

[Hybrider]

Interesting. I wonder if those detergent additives are added at the refinery or if they are added by the "tier 1" gasoline station after the gas is delivered.

 

I would highly doubt the detergent is added at the station.

[GrySql]

'Splash' blending is illegal, at least here in CA.

[ptjones]

I heard they did it at the Refinery. :)

 

Paul

[Iwejun]

The additives that a station such as 7 11 uses is added at the terminal, the bulk truck buyer can specify what things to include in the gas whether it be detergents or whatever and that can determine the final price / gallon. I have a terminal nearby my place and I see all the major stations trucks lined up getting filled, so gas is gas until it's blended, and from what I understand ethanol is just a filler that will burn that way less petroleum product is used and is stretched further while the senator from a corn producing state get's to proudly stand in front of the ethanol plant and crow how he helps "the people".

Ask a person who drives a flex fuel car and ask them how well the car runs on E85, chances are they'll tell you that is has less power and gets a lot less mpg, slower burn less bang.

Edited September 8, 2015 by Iwejun

[tr7driver]

E-85 has one great use. Filling up flex fuel rental cars before you return them.

[lolder]

Ethanol has only 2/3 the energy of gasoline per gallon but has a high octane rating. If you supercharge or turbocharge an engine, you can put more ethanol in and get the same hp per cubic inch.

[lolder]

The new Race Trac stations in SW Florida appear to have ethanol free regular at every pump.

[Texasota]

The new Race Trac stations in SW Florida appear to have ethanol free regular at every pump.

Every October I fill my boat’s fuel tank full with ethanol free gas for winter storage. Last night I performed this ritual and the price of this "non-oxygenated" (91 octane) gas was $3.59. Regular (E10) gas at this same station was $2.32. That is a 54.7% premium for this premium gas! It was a painful reminder of what we were paying for regular gas not very long ago.

[GrySql]

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