You may see no problem, but that doesn't mean its just as good!

It's energy content is less per pound, so you inevitably get less power, and, or, fewer miles per gallon. Also, your truck costs more because manufacturers have to use different materials in the fuel system. Money that should go to fix our roads goes instead to subsidize ethanol production, which will NEVER be as cheap as the "manna from heaven" petroleum we only need to dig up. Claimed environmental advantages are pretty much obsolete.

Offsetting advantages? I don't buy them, but apparently our government does. These days it would be unpatriotic for me to disagree. I guess "Big Brother" knows best.

 

MrBSS,
Politicians pull alot of stuff to buy votes but I've really got to take issue with you on this one. Any politician worth his political salt knows that there aren't enough of us farmers out here anymore to effect whether he/she gets into office or not- even in a predominantly Ag states like Iowa or Illinois. It's not like it was 40 years ago where everyone made their living on 80 or 160 acres and had 6-8 kids to get the work done. In reality, the population out here has simply dried up. The power is in the urban areas today and that's where the politicians head for the votes. Typical campaigning around here is centered in the populated areas like Des Moines, Omaha, Sioux City etc. and then the day before the election there is usually a few statements made like, "Oh, yeah and we want you farmers to prosper too. (But in reality, not TOO much because we still need a cheap food policy for the masses because those are the people that really keep us elected).

In reality, alcohol, is simply a renewable energy source that has some prospects of reducing pollution. MTBE has been found in ground water and is a carcinogen and alcohol can replace MTBE as an oxygenator. What's wrong with using a product whose production can add value to a commodity (corn) grown right here in the US? Alcohol production and gasahol have been around for years but yet is still an emerging industry. "Big Oil" has fought hard to keep alcohol production at bay (and they've been successful). Why? Inclusion rates of 10% alcohol take a "BIG" bite out of the profits of "Big Oil". In the commodity world,10%over-supply or under-supply is huge and spells whether the year is going to be a record profits or record losses. Government has provided incentives for use of alcohol-containing fuels mainly to encourage use and development of an industry that would reduce dependancy on foreign resources and polution. If the industry was allowed to grow freely with less political encumbrance then it would become more more efficient and cost effective and the government incentives would no longer be needed. "Ya GOTTA have the chicken before you can have the egg," would be the version that best fits here.

Randy

 

After a recent trip to the gas station, I have to agree that it is a bit cheaper off post, but it is usually a short lived trend. The AAFES pumps tend to catch up within a couple days. At the same time when the cost off post is considerably higher (I've seen it jump 20 cents over night) AAFES is still a day or two behind. I am just glad I have dual tanks on those days.

I do find AAFES has the annoying policy of cutting off the pump at $32.00. Since I use a debit card to pay for the gas, I end up running it through twice on those occaisions that I need to fill both tanks. It irks me even more when after I finish filling my tanks I have one receipt for $32 and a second receipt for 90 cents.

Despite it all, I will stick to AAFES because here in North Carolina, the commercial pumps have a sticker that breaks out the gross cost per gallon. It just irks me to know that nearly on third of the cost per gallon is straight taxes.

Don't get me started on the Military Exchange program gouging soldiers because they have to "play fair" with the local markets.

 

I voted "Other", due to the fact that we do not have any of the options above in the town I live in..Ive used Holiday gas most of the time (also because it offers E85), but if there is a Mobil around, I use that too.

 

I use regular 87 octane gas anywhere, doesn't matter where to me... I might start getting it at HEB where I work, though, because they started construction for gas pumps in the parking lot, today. It's pretty torn up. Last night I didn't even know, and I worked until almost midnight!

 

Oh yeah, and about the higher premium gas. I use 87 because my truck has never knocked on 87, so it runs fine. If it doesn't knock at 87, then use it, because a higher octane gas is only a higher octane/less heptane mixture, only making your engine run slower than it would with 87. The only point of raising the octane level is if you have a higher compression engine or something and it starts knocking, no other point...

 

Shell has just started marketing a "low friction" gasoline that is supposed to increase mileage. I just filled up with it this morning. After a couple of tanks of it we'll see if there is any measurable difference.

Jim

 

How would gas have a low friction help any? It's not lubricating anything...

 

I believe the new Shell is supposed to have a better additive package, which keeps your injectors cleaner, which increases your mileage.

 

That is not what the sign on the pumps says. It claims "lowers friction". I am skeptical . Chevron, BP/ARCO, etc. all claim to keep injectors clean.

Jim

 

for the last 100,000 miles i have run nothing but chevron and because i like the the techron ingredient. Dont know if the ads are true, but i still have original fuel injectors and no fuel problems whatsoever at 150,000 miles. Fuel filter replacement is sometimes neglected but an important maintenance item. i replace mine every 25,000 miles. (a pain to do but i am now used to it. fram gas filters for my 97 f150 are just $7 or so at walmart).

 

Where I live in NC, Crown gasoline is very common and usually the cheapest so that is where I go.

 

After the first tank of the new "higher mileage" Shell gasoline, a .5 mpg drop! This is driving to work on exactly the same route and same times of the day, 50/50 street/highway with the A/C on in the afternoon. After my second tank I will average the two in case there is variation on how full I get the tank at each fillup.

Jim

 

Yeah, I've been seeing these ads for "better gas mileage" too, with the same curiosity. However, keep in mind:

~They can legally make this claim as long as it's true, but "truth" could be a .00001 MPG improvement, which it indeed may be.

~It's almost impossible for an end-user to measure the gain, primarily due to the point J&M made: Variations between fills, which can be HUGE (up to a gallon) will greatly skew the numbers. Even if this could be adjusted for, you have the variations in driving style, air temp, wind, etc.

This begs for a magazine to take metered gallons of gas and run some precise tests, which I'm sure will happen very soon. I'll bet the improvements are nil, and still won't justify Shell's higher prices -- in NJ, about 15% more than the non-brands.

 

I voted other. I usually buy Arco as they are consistently around 10 cents a gallon cheaper than anyone else around my area.

PbFoot