Emissions test: regular, super or ethanol?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Location, Location.
Emissions test: regular, super or ethanol?
Gentlemen,
After just barely failing my emissions test last week, today I changed the oil & filter, new air filter, new spark plugs and a new oxygen sensor. Going back for the re-test on Saturday.
Will be making sure the engine is thoroughly warmed up - it'll go for a 15 minute highway drive and I'll probably leave it running while it waits.
Question: what gasoline produces the lowest emissions? Regular? Super? In my area there's also a gas station that sells regular with 10% (or maybe it's 5%) ethanol in it.
Thanks.
After just barely failing my emissions test last week, today I changed the oil & filter, new air filter, new spark plugs and a new oxygen sensor. Going back for the re-test on Saturday.
Will be making sure the engine is thoroughly warmed up - it'll go for a 15 minute highway drive and I'll probably leave it running while it waits.
Question: what gasoline produces the lowest emissions? Regular? Super? In my area there's also a gas station that sells regular with 10% (or maybe it's 5%) ethanol in it.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I'd go for the ethanol. Also some other things that might not hurt:
Plug wires
Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner
Slightly heavier oil to prevent combustion chamber contamination
PCV valve (as mentioned)
Plug wires
Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner
Slightly heavier oil to prevent combustion chamber contamination
PCV valve (as mentioned)
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
Use the regular(low octane) fuel. If you have a stock motor, running high octane will practically guarantee that you fail. High octane doesn't burn as quickly which will result in unburned gas coming out your tailpipe. I failed a smog test 4 times, changing timing and mixture while running high octane. I switched to low and passed with flying colors on the 5th test. IF you get the chance, grab a box of that "Guaranteed to Pass" stuff you see in parts stores and read the back. It will explain in better detail what I mean.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by osbornk
I would use ethanol. If the Feds make it mandatory around urban areas to help clean the air, I would think it would do the same with your truck.
Ethanol requires a richer mixture and more timing to burn properly. Incomplete combustion and misfiring due to too lean of a mixture or insufficient ignition timing can lead to higher CO and HC emissions.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Bart99GT
*If* the car is calibrated to run it. Otherwise, it might actually INCREASE emissions.
Ethanol requires a richer mixture and more timing to burn properly. Incomplete combustion and misfiring due to too lean of a mixture or insufficient ignition timing can lead to higher CO and HC emissions.
Ethanol requires a richer mixture and more timing to burn properly. Incomplete combustion and misfiring due to too lean of a mixture or insufficient ignition timing can lead to higher CO and HC emissions.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by osbornk
If what you say is true, why does the government mandate that it be used in high pollution areas if most of the cars are not calibrated for it?
Bart is correct about the "leaning out" effects of ethanol, which is why an engine that is making too much NOx is not going to be helped - and will probably be worse off - with E85 running through it. High NOx levels are caused by combustion chamber temperatures that are too high, and a leaner a/f mixture seems to be the last thing you would want.
Last edited by Rockledge; Mar 19, 2007 at 11:56 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Yes, I was referring to E85. As Rockledge stated, vehicles calibrated for regular gasoline can run up to 10% ethanol without any negative effect on emissions. Its somewhat up in the air if E10 causes a measurable decrease in fuel economy. Its hard to point the finger at E10 for small decreases per tank, when there are so many other variables that can cause a vehicle to lose 10-15 miles on a tank of gas.