86 octane with 10% ethanol.

[lineman1234]

So, my first seeing of 86 octane that is also 10% ethanol. 

 

Im halfway through a month stay in New Mexico, about 60 miles south of Roswell. 

     The choices hear are as mentioned the 86, then jumps to 88 and up 2 more choices, seems all are 10% ethanol or so the pump says. The cost jumps .70 cents a gallon from the 86 to the 88. 

      I looked up why an 86 and its seems because of elevation, its normalish. I was towing the 5ver/home when first encountering the lower gas, so put in the 88. 

     I just did a 350 mile trip, just pickup, to check out a motorcycle, and put in the 86, driving empty to check out the bike. 

    It ran like normal on it like it normally does on 87, same fuel mileage or close enough. 

    When i leave at the end of the month, ill fill with the 88 as well as the in bed transfer tank, for towing, just incase, as ill be going back to sea level areas. 

 

[mrjulian416]

You would never notice the difference between the 86 and the 'normal' 87.

[UWSkier]

I tow in the West a fair bit.  If I know I'm going to be above 5000 feet for an entire tank, I'll run 85 or 86 Octane, then put in 88 or 89 in the next tank when I know I'm going down hill.  Never an issue doing so even towing heavy in the hills.

[revrnd]

On 12/19/2024 at 2:44 PM, mrjulian416 said:

You would never notice the difference between the 86 and the 'normal' 87.

86 and 88 seems to be odd when 87 seems to be the norm across the continent. I didn't notice when I was in the Canadian Rockies last year.

[lineman1234]

I am surrounded by it in New Mexico from I-10 to mid state, havent been farther up yet. First time i have seen said 86 with 10%  ethanol let alone 86.  I can now say i am missing 1.5mpg vs the 87 with ethanol. Thats taking into account winter blend. At 22,000 miles on mine now, i have a good feel for its fuel usage., per terrain and wind, summer vs winter. 

 

Again, when i leave/tow  650 miles to the next place, at the end of the month, ill be doing the 88 till i get to 87 areas.