Real gas vs E-10

[DaveFL76]

Hey folks,

I overheard a conversation recently that there is Ethanol-free 93 octane gas available at one gas station across town. The claim is that they get better gas mileage on it, better performance, and in a high humidity environment like where we live, real gas is less likely to absorb humidity than an ethanol blend.

The station is not especially convenient to me, but if the benefits are true, then I'd be happy to make the detour to fill up.

Has anyone experimented with E-10 vs real gas performance and confirm/deny the benefits in P-cars?

thanks!

Edited November 13, 2010 by DaveFL76

[CaptnCrash]

Hey folks,

I overheard a conversation recently that there is Ethanol-free 93 octane gas available at one gas station across town. The claim is that they get better gas mileage on it, better performance, and in a high humidity environment like where we live, real gas is less likely to absorb humidity than an ethanol blend.

The station is not especially convenient to me, but if the benefits are true, then I'd be happy to make the detour to fill up.

Has anyone experimented with E-10 vs real gas performance and confirm/deny the benefits in P-cars?

thanks!

On all my vehicles I get better mpgs with non-ethanol gas though the gains only show for highway driving and it's generally in the range of 1 - 2mpg. It is true that you get less moisture and corrosion with the non-ethanol gas. There is more energy in a gallon of gas than a gallon of ethanol as reflected in the mpg gains you do make more power.

--CC

[JFP in PA]

Ethanol is about 30-35% lower in energy output compared to gas, so any level of EtOH is going to reduce both total performance and mileage by some amount. This is one of the farcical aspects of the Fed requiring the use of 10% in gas, and why "Flex Fuel" vehicles make little sense from and energy conservation perspective (other than to help the corn farmers); but in many (if not most) states, you have no choice but to use fuel with ethanol in it. Fortunately, the M96/97 engines and fuel systems can tolerate up to 10% EtOH, but no higher; but the DME is going to change its profile to accommodate the lower energy potential of the fuel.

Edited November 13, 2010 by JFP in PA

[slbates]

As others have stated, you will notice a drop in your gas mileage. When I had my 996, I experienced 2 mpg drop with no other changes. One side effect I noticed was water accumulation in the winter. I had to start adding a bottle of heet every couple of tanks.

[DaveFL76]

As others have stated, you will notice a drop in your gas mileage. When I had my 996, I experienced 2 mpg drop with no other changes. One side effect I noticed was water accumulation in the winter. I had to start adding a bottle of heet every couple of tanks.

Good info, everyone.

I did a little research and found http://pure-gas.org

It's a site that keeps track of ethanol-free gas available in your area.

I discovered that a station that I drive by almost every day offers ethanol-free 90 octane.

The ethanol-free 93 octane station is not nearly as convenient, so the question is, given the same price per gallon, would you fill up your car with 10% ethanol 93 octane or ethanol-free 90 octane fuel?

[ILCUL8R]

As others have stated, you will notice a drop in your gas mileage. When I had my 996, I experienced 2 mpg drop with no other changes. One side effect I noticed was water accumulation in the winter. I had to start adding a bottle of heet every couple of tanks.

Good info, everyone.

I did a little research and found http://pure-gas.org

It's a site that keeps track of ethanol-free gas available in your area.

I discovered that a station that I drive by almost every day offers ethanol-free 90 octane.

The ethanol-free 93 octane station is not nearly as convenient, so the question is, given the same price per gallon, would you fill up your car with 10% ethanol 93 octane or ethanol-free 90 octane fuel?

I was wondering the exact same thing. Did anyone ever respond and/or have you tried the 90 ethanol-free fuel ? I also have access to it.

[btopping]

Interesting link. It found 5 stations here in the Peoples Repulic of Kalifornia. All were at least a tank of fuel away from me round trip.