There is a new law out and they are switching all of the gas in Hampton Roads to a 10% ethanol mix. On the news the people who own the pumps say that their gas stations must be completly pumped out and their filters changed before the new mix can enter their system. I was wondering, when they do something like this, should the consumer empty their tank and change their fuel filters before filling up with the new ethanol mix?

- Chris

 

my experience with E-10---nope, not necessary to change anything. Just pump and run.

 

As I get around in different areas, ethanol wasn't always available, so at times, I go back and forth, no issues ever. I normally run the 10% blend. Only thing to be aware of is that you may be changing your fuel filter if you have only run the non-ethanol blends, as there will be gunk that was left from the non-ethanol blends coming loose, and cleaned out. Your fuel filter will be doing it's job.

 

Also your gas mileage will drop about 5%. Remeber that alcohol engine have to run 3 times richer than gasoline engines.

 

10% ethanol won't change your mileage.

 

My '79 F-250 and '76 LTD both actually get a little better mileage running 10% ethanol.

 

Ethanol should drop your mileage. If it increases, it's due to the ethanol cleaning varnish etc. Now this assumes your truck is properly tuned. Most people won't re-jet their trucks for the 5% lean condition. Also, a 5% change is easily hidden by driving style, engine wear, oil condition, windy days, etc.

 

Ethanol is an oxygenate, which means it carries it's own oxygen. What happens when you have more oxygen in the cylinder? More complete burn, that is why with 10%, it will not lose mileage. Higher concentrations require more fuel flow.

 

I've never seen a mileage change when running 10% ethanol. This is across a few vehicles.

I have seen it clean out a gas tank though. I have an old 1970 F100. My brother used to run regular gas in it when he was driving it. After I was driving it for a few years, the fuel filter plugged up. Replace, and everything's fine. Dont know if it was simply the age of the tank or the ethanol. I suspect a little of both.

On a newer vehicle, run it with confidence. On an older vehicle, keep a fuel filter in your glove box.

 

According to tests done by ethanol.org E10 results, on average, in a 1-4% loss in mileage (4% on days when windspeed is highest).

Now, if the organization pushing for ethanol admits a loss... how high is the loss going to be when tested by a non-biased source? Some studies suggest that even 15% ethanol can result in a 10% mileage loss.

You ought to see what the cost per mile is when you go to E85! For example, the government shows a 2003 FFV Ranger going from $3.53 per 25 miles to $4.30 per 25 miles! Yikes!

 

Ive used Ethanol in my 1996 150 from day one an the mileage on that is 17-18MPG regularly. 130,000 miles on this beast with no issues whatsever. I havent even changed the sparkpklugs yet in it. Original injectors an everything. If theres any mileage loss I havent experienced it. E85 should be priced a lot cheaper then reg gas. However our oil companies hate that idea. They dont want no competiton for there fuel

 

How do you know there isn't any mileage loss since Ethanol is all you use?

 

Doesn't ethanol raise your octane level? If so, then it the octane would be higher than needed, resulting in a loss in mileage.

 

The bottom line is that ethanol has less total energy available in it than gasoline. While being an oxygenate may mitigate this, you will see a drop in mileage with an ethanol blend. However, as gas prices rise, and ethanol production becomes more cost effective, your cost-per-mile may go down even though your mileage has gone down over a non-ethanol gasoline blend.

1 gallon of gasoline = 124,000 BTU
1 gallon of diesel fuel = 139,000 BTU
1 gallon of propane = 91,000 BTU
1 gallon of ethanol = 84,400 BTU
1 gallon of E10 = 121,000 BTU

That's from various sources (one put diesel at 147,000 BTU/gallon).

Jason

 

I bought my ride in California, and drove it there for 2 years. There was no ethanol available in California at that time. I have driven my ride from CA to IL and back 4 times using both E10% and regular gasoline.

No matter what I have burned, it has yielded the same mileage. I take that back, the 85% blend has dropped my mileage, but not the 10% blend.