Ethanol Free Gas?

GMC2015 · September 15, 2016

Are there any "pros" to running ethanol free gas in these trucks? Cons? My nearest gas station just started offering this, but it's the same price as premium!

Chris · September 15, 2016

Are there any "pros" to running ethanol free gas in these trucks? Cons? My nearest gas station just started offering this, but it's the same price as premium!

Pro is better mileage and wont break down as quick, con is price and availability. The big market is for vehicles with carbs and small equipment like lawnmowers

kstruckcountry · September 15, 2016

I run ethanol free 91, with a tune for it, higher octane makes a difference in how it runs. Pretty easy to find 91 ethanol free here since that's what people with OHV and toys want.

Without a tune, it may not be a big difference, but the pickup will definitely run better 89+ octane. Going from 87 e15 to pure 87 won't be noticeable, maybe the tiniest bit of fuel economy improvement without ethanol.

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conundrum · September 15, 2016

Are there any "pros" to running ethanol free gas in these trucks? Cons? My nearest gas station just started offering this, but it's the same price as premium!

What octane? Premium/91 is typically ethanol free in US and Canada.

hirdlej · September 15, 2016

I've only run 91 non oxy in my truck since the day it was new. I can't comment on gas mileage or performance differences since I refuse to use anything with ethanol in anything I own. It's corrosive, has a shorter shelf life and hotter running. I'll tell you though, my '15 Silverado has the smoothest running 5.3L I've ever had the pleasure of driving. You can't even tell it's on sometimes.

Jonny Quest · September 15, 2016

I use chevron premium 94 octane in Canada. I've always believed it to be ethanol free. Any one know if it is? Also what other major brands are ethanol free? I use Shell premium from time to time as well.

KARNUT · September 15, 2016

My truck was a blast to drive on E85, can't wait to get a Tahoe that's has the E85 option.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · September 15, 2016

I run ethanol free 91, with a tune for it, higher octane makes a difference in how it runs. Pretty easy to find 91 ethanol free here since that's what people with OHV and toys want.

Without a tune, it may not be a big difference, but the pickup will definitely run better 89+ octane. Going from 87 e15 to pure 87 won't be noticeable, maybe the tiniest bit of fuel economy improvement without ethanol.

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Do you mean E10? Normal gas has 10% ethanol.

Colossus · September 15, 2016

Sea level premium will be 93 octane. Up at altitude, premium is 91 octane. Regardless, there are not very many stations left that run ethanol free fuel.

Have a look

http://www.pure-gas.org/

GMC2015 · September 16, 2016

What octane? Premium/91 is typically ethanol free in US and Canada.

I believe it's 90 octane that's ethanol free. I'll have to check next time I fill up. Premium in Florida is 93 and typically has 10% ethanol (I think).

Colossus · September 16, 2016

Go to the website I posted above.

Alaska: all gasoline is ethanol-free.
All Canada: Shell V-Power, Esso premium, MacEwen premium
Western Canada: CO-OP premium
New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, PEI: all premium grade gasoline
British Columbia: Chevron 94
Ontario: Costco 91; Canadian Tire 91; Ultramar 91

Cowpie · September 18, 2016

I primarily operate the fuel that delivers the lowest cost per mile without any problems. While a non ethanol fuel will typically deliver a up tick in mpg, usually the cost per mile is higher, negating any perceived benefits. E10 in my area is running around $2.25 a gallon right now. Ethanol free regular is running around $2.65. If I am getting, say, 16 mpg on E10, I would have to get 19 mpg (3 mpg better) just to break even. Would have to get 4 mpg better to make it worth it cost wise. that is extremely rare that ethanol free fuel will offer a 25% better fuel economy over E10. Right now, in my area, E15 offers the best value. Virtually the same average mpg as E10, yet typically about 5 to 10 cents a gallon cheaper than E10. And while E10 in my area is usually 87 octane, E15 is about 88.

It is a hit or miss on whether premium in my area is E10 or not. Depends on station. It has never been cost effective for me to use premium, so I never buy the stuff and don't keep track of who has the ethanol free version.

The flex fuel option is the best thing for someone to have. Allows a great ability to use what offers the best value per mile. Sure E85 will have a much lower mpg than, say, ethanol free premium, but E85 also has higher octane than the best brand of premium outside of racing fuel, and a significantly lower cost per mile. E85 is running around $1.58 in my area. Premium is running roughly $2.80. If I can get, say 13 mpg on E85, I would have to get 22 mpg on premium to just break even on cost per mile. It is highly doubtful that premium is going to deliver that much better mpg. It would still have to deliver better than 22 mpg to begin to make it into being cost effective compared to E85.

Rawyzf · September 18, 2016

I primarily operate the fuel that delivers the lowest cost per mile without any problems. While a non ethanol fuel will typically deliver a up tick in mpg, usually the cost per mile is higher, negating any perceived benefits. E10 in my area is running around $2.25 a gallon right now. Ethanol free regular is running around $2.65. If I am getting, say, 16 mpg on E10, I would have to get 19 mpg (3 mpg better) just to break even. Would have to get 4 mpg better to make it worth it cost wise. that is extremely rare that ethanol free fuel will offer a 25% better fuel economy over E10. Right now, in my area, E15 offers the best value. Virtually the same average mpg as E10, yet typically about 5 to 10 cents a gallon cheaper than E10. And while E10 in my area is usually 87 octane, E15 is about 88.

It is a hit or miss on whether premium in my area is E10 or not. Depends on station. It has never been cost effective for me to use premium, so I never buy the stuff and don't keep track of who has the ethanol free version.

The flex fuel option is the best thing for someone to have. Allows a great ability to use what offers the best value per mile. Sure E85 will have a much lower mpg than, say, ethanol free premium, but E85 also has higher octane than the best brand of premium outside of racing fuel, and a significantly lower cost per mile. E85 is running around $1.58 in my area. Premium is running roughly $2.80. If I can get, say 13 mpg on E85, I would have to get 22 mpg on premium to just break even on cost per mile. It is highly doubtful that premium is going to deliver that much better mpg. It would still have to deliver better than 22 mpg to begin to make it into being cost effective compared to E85.

Well said ;)

E85 @ 1.39 with 13.5mpg for me.

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Cowpie · September 18, 2016

Now that is a killer deal! I would be all over E85 every fuel up at that price! I might have seen $1.48 for E85 instead of $1.58, but the state implemented a 10 cent a gallon fuel tax hike a little over a year ago.

Rawyzf · September 18, 2016

Now that is a killer deal! I would be all over E85 every fuel up at that price! I might have seen $1.48 for E85 instead of $1.58, but the state implemented a 10 cent a gallon fuel tax hike a little over a year ago.

We hover around 1.35 to 1.49.

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