Ethanol Free Gas?

Colossus · September 18, 2016

Damn. I wish we had E85 for that low a price. But then again I drive a Diesel.. so why? <grin>

GMC2015 · September 19, 2016

Well curiosity got the better of me, I filled it up today with 90 octane that's ethanol free. So far after a few miles, the truck SEEMS to idle a bit smoother, as in it doesn't dip below 500 rpm as much. I'll run a tank or two to see if it makes any significant improvement in fuel mileage.

I'll add that my most recent average was 23.8 mpg on 87 octane (4.3L V6)

Colossus · September 19, 2016

You'll see a slight improvement in acceleration too. It just may get you hooked! These newer vehicles are factory tuned to take advantage of higher octane, vs the older stuff.

Cowpie · September 19, 2016

Damn. I wish we had E85 for that low a price. But then again I drive a Diesel.. so why? <grin>

I go thru about 20,000 gallons of diesel a year and still use E85 in vehicles that can use it. I get some decent commercial rates on diesel. Last fill, 92 gallons at $1.76 a gal on diesel. I am always game for a bargain!

TJay74 · September 20, 2016

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

Vast majority of the stations here in Oklahoma offer non-ethanol in 87/89/91 and E10 in 87 only. The older stations that don't have the room for E10 and non-ethanol generally are either pure gas stations or E10 stations. Most stations blend 87 and 91/93 to make 89, so if the 87 is E10 then the 89 will be a slightly less potent E10 blend.

Brian Long · September 20, 2016

I run ethanol free 88 octane in all our vehicles. Depending on how many miles they have on them before you switch, it may take a while before you see an increase in gas mileage. Ethanol free does not leave the varnish that ethanol does, and will clean the ethanol varnish over time. Ethanol also begins to turn to a gel over time (takes a long time) which is why companies sell fuel stabilizer for small engines.

I have pulled apart TB's that ran ethanol and ones that did not. Ethanol always has varnish, which collects dust that makes it past the filter, which makes a real mess. Ethanol also dries out the fuel, which takes lubricants out that benefit engines. The lack of lubricants is why engines must be made to tolerate levels of ethanol; the special designs do not thing for varnish.

If you want more lubrication and less varnish, run ethanol free. If you do not hold on to vehicles long enough for it to matter, then you may be wasting your money. For me, I care as both lubrication and lack of varnish help extend engine life.

towdog333 · October 3, 2016

Real gas all the way, here in the burbs where you have to buy ethanol, with a lot of stop n go driving fuel mileage sux 11 tp 12 mpg. My wife has a house outside of Bristol , TN where you can buy both type of fuels. I get the real stuff an with a lot of open roads I get 18 to 20 mpg's

Cowpie · October 11, 2016

I just never got into the "real" gas mindset. Been using ethanol blends since the late 70's (long before EPA got into the game) with nary a problem. Even on a 1974 Pontiac Catalina with a carbureted 400 in it. Same for a 1979 Bronco with a carbureted 351M. The Catalina went to over 250,000 miles and succumbed to body cancer, but the engine was still good. Since ethanol free is a solid 40-50 cents more per gallon than E10, I have no desire to give it a shot. There is no way it will deliver substantial enough fuel economy increase to offset the higher cost. Heck, I can get 17-18 mpg on E15 (yes E15 which is 5-10 cents a gallon cheaper than E10 in my area and 60 cents cheaper than ethanol free) out of my 2500 6.0L on road trips. 18-20 mpg wouldn't breakeven on a cost per mile basis using ethanol free. For some to be willing to pay more for fuel than necessary when there is no real reasoning to do so out of some fear of ethanol starts to creep into the realm of having an enlarged paranoia gland that needs professional treatment.