- #902 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [oldfarmer50]
by morin2
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Oct 04, 2009 (9:57 am)
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Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Oct 03, 2009 12:30 pm)
I think the only thing you can do is to test the gas yourself. I have done this and found that nearly all are very close to the 10%. So far, I haven't found one over 10%. I found one BP station that was about 7%, so I stop there when I can. I used a Chevron station not on my usual route last night and the mileage appears to be the best I've ever gotten, but I didn't have my fuel tester with me.
The ethanol testers I see are less than $10-15. I got mine on ebay, but I think you might find them for sale at small airports too - as the FAA does not allow ethanol in aviation fuel. The main disadvantage of these test tube testers is that the opening is so narrow that its easy to spill gasoline all over your hands. You have to improvise a way to pour the gas into the tube without going over the fill line and spilling gas all over yourself.
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- #903 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [gagrice]
by kipk
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:41 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 03, 2009 7:06 pm)
I filled with Shell 87 octane a few months ago and noticed a 2-3 mpg increase in mileage on that tank. Thought it might be a fluke so did it again with the same result. I've been using Shell ever since and the better MPG is staying there.
The tank says "Up to 10% ethanol with regular grade gas". Don't know exactly how to take that, but mileage is definitely UP with the Shell.
The Shell cost $0.05 a gallon more than what we have been using for years, But the 8%-10% increase in mileage results in less cost to use the Shell. I've also heard of better mileage with Chevron and BP, but haven't tried them.
Kip
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- #904 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [kipk]
by gagrice
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Oct 05, 2009 (5:49 am)
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Replying to: kipk (Oct 05, 2009 4:41 am)
I am in Evansville Indiana all this week. Found a Shell selling RUG for $2.29. With the Shell card you get 5% discount on gas. So at $2.18 per gallon that is the cheapest gas on this trip thus far. The pump does have the up to 10% ethanol sticker. My best mileage is still with Conoco No ethanol added 85 octane. Only available in So Dakota so far. It is still hard to believe that people can be persuaded that we are saving any money on foreign oil using ethanol. What a scam ADM has pulled on Congress and the tax payers.
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- #905 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [gagrice]
by morin2
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:14 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 05, 2009 5:49 am)
The presence or absence of a sticker on the pump may not mean much in some states. Here in MD, the stations are not required to label their pumps with the ethanol content. Most do, and the most common is the one reading "may contain up to 10% ethanol" - but I have found 10% ethanol from pumps with no ethanol content sticker on them.
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- #906 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [morin2]
by gagrice
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:19 pm)
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Replying to: morin2 (Oct 05, 2009 4:14 pm)
In South Dakota they sell 85 octane unleaded for more than their 87 octane ethanol laced unleaded. The claim by the gas station attendant is unleaded without ethanol is more expensive. Which I believe as there is more than a dollar per gallon subsidy on ethanol.
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- #907 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [gagrice]
by morin2
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:31 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 05, 2009 4:19 pm)
In addition to the subsidy, I think the market would allow a higher price for undiluted fuel. I would certainly pay more for it. My only concern would be the low octane rating. Ethanol-free fuel is a boon for boaters in particular - but many marine outboard manufacturers specify 87 octane. I'd still try it in my car and boat, regardless of the lower octane, and wish it was available here.
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- #908 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [morin2]
by gagrice
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:45 pm)
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Replying to: morin2 (Oct 05, 2009 4:31 pm)
I don't think the 85 octane makes much difference. I still cruised along at 75-80 MPH across the state and got 19.73 MPG for 256 miles on that tank of gas. Driving mostly 60-65 MPH in MN on their nasty E10 my mileage dropped to 15.47 MPG. No one will convince me that ethanol is a viable alternative to fossil fuel. Corn is for making Tortillas not gas.
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- #909 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [gagrice]
by morin2
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Oct 05, 2009 (4:58 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 05, 2009 4:45 pm)
I just checked the Conoco/Phillips site and there are no stations in MD. But their station finder could be potentially useful to ethanol-free trip planning:
http://www.drivesavvy.com/sitelocator/usstorelocator.aspx
I have an upcoming road trip to TN to visit colleges for my youngest, so I'll be looking for ethanol-free for that trip. Anyone know of ethanol-free around Knoxville and Nashville?
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- #910 of 921
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Re: How Much Ethanol [kipk]
by gogogodzilla
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Oct 05, 2009 (5:16 pm)
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Replying to: kipk (Oct 05, 2009 4:41 am)
Shell also puts detergents into their gasoline, so it helps clean out the engine.
Maybe that tank of Shell gasoline scrubbed some sludge out of your engine?
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- #911 of 921
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Ethanol Really!!!
by basspro
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Oct 05, 2009 (7:07 pm)
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The big issue I have is Phase separation with the added ethanol and having to add additive to protect my fuel system. Hopefully before it is used nation wide and at even higher percentages,the corrosion issue can be addressed. It is a serious issue and especially for boats and long storage of fuel.
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